A little smoky, a little sweet, this Cinnamon & Honey Smoked Pineapple recipe will transport you to the tropics. If you are looking for something different to toss on the smoker, this smoked pineapple is for you!
Table of Contents
Smoked Pineapple & Why it Just Works
When we think about smoking, we usually think of images succulent meats or savory vegetables. Well, you know I do anyway. But have you considered smoked fruit? I was skeptical at first, too, but smoking pineapple has become my personal favorite. This cooking method adds a depth of smoky flavor and also softens the texture of the fruit. Best of all, the natural sweetness is enhanced as the natural sugars caramelize.
Over the Summer- I wanted to make something sweet, and something my kids would eat, too. We all love pineapple in my house so I figured I would drizzle a little honey and add some cinnamon. It was SO GOOD. Of Course you can add a big scoop of vanilla ice cream to serve over the smoked pineapple, but I liked it just the way it was.
Recipe Rundown
| Prep Time: | 10 Minutes |
| Smoke Time: | 1 hour (or more to your preference) |
| Smoker Temperature: | 225 Degrees F |
| Wood Pellets: | Apple, Cherry, or Blend |
| Servings: | 6-8 |
Ingredients Needed for this Smoked Pineapple Recipe
Pineapple: Make sure to grab a ripe pineapple for optimal flavor. (*See more detailed notes below) If not just let it ripen a few days on the counter before throwing it on the smoker.
Honey: I always have honey in the kitchen. We grab some at the local farmer's market and use it in a variety of ways. It's one of my favorite natural sweeteners. Honey and pineapple is a match made in heaven.
Cinnamon: The cinnamon helps make the pineapple taste like a real dessert. I didn't use too much, just a touch, to let the pineapple be the star.
How do you know if the pineapple is ripe?
Not sure if it's ripe at the store? There are several ways to check for ripeness.
- Appearance: Look for ones that are more golden-yellow in color. A little green is okay, but more yellow is better. Choose ones that are free from any mold, bruises, or soft spots.
- Smell: A sweet aroma coming from the base of the pineapple indicates that it is ripe and ready to eat. Give it a gentle sniff; if you detect a pleasant fragrance resembling tropical sweetness, then you've found yourself a winner!
- Leaf Condition: Although often cited as an indicator of ripeness, leaf color alone does not accurately determine whether a pineapple is fully ripe or not. However, if most leaves pull out easily without resistance when gently tugged upon (around two or three), it generally suggests that the fruit is mature enough.
- Firmness: Gently press your palm against one side of the pineapple while using your other hand to stabilize it from rolling away. You should feel a firmness in your palm when applying slight pressure – this indicates that it's not overly ripe nor unripe.
How to Smoke a Pineapple
1. Prepare Pineapple. Cut the pineapple in half all the way through the crown with a sharp knife.
2. Season. Sprinkle each half with some cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Rub it in a bit.
3. Smoke. Transfer the pineapple out to the smoker. Place the pineapple halves directly on the grates with the inside of the pineapple facing upwards. Close the lid and let smoke for an hour or until desired softness and texture is reached.
How to Serve Smoked Pineapple
I chose to serve these as pineapple boats, but you can just cut the pineapple as you would like or even into slices before you smoke the pineapple.
4. For the Boats. Cut each half in half again making four quarters. Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a small part off of the core (if it is still a bit hard) lengthwise. Then cut down and around carving to separate the pineapple from the shell.
5. Slice. Then slice that section into pieces.
6. Alternate. Use your fingers to push each slice out in different directions.
Place the boats out on a serving platter with some toothpicks and enjoy. Or to make it more like a dessert, serve along some vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a real treat.
Watch Me Make Smoked Pineapple
Note: If you prefer it even sweeter with more smoke flavor, cook longer as the sugars will caramelize even more!
Variations for Smoked Pineapple
- Sweetness level: Swap out the cinnamon for some brown sugar which will really take you up a notch on the sweeter side. Plus the brown sugar will caramelize nicely making more of a sticky glaze on top (which would be phenomenal paired with some ice cream- in my opinion).
- Different sweetener: Try some agave, which is a little milder and would compliment the sweetness of the pineapple. Maple syrup fan? The syrup would also taste great, you may just need to keep it on the smoker a little longer in order to caramelize since it has less sugar.
- Prefer sweet & spicy? Sprinkle with some chili powder or Tajin seasoning. Then you could use the smoked pineapple in some salsa, chopped up on some pork tacos, or even to garnish a tequila cocktail.
What to Serve with Smoked Pineapple
If you are looking for more of a complete meal, this smoked pineapple would be great with:
How to Store Smoked Pineapple
If you haven't eaten this in one sitting like we did, then let it cool completely before tossing into an air-tight container or Zip-lock bag and place in the refrigerator. For the best taste and flavor, enjoy within 3-4 days. If the fruit tastes sour, then it's time to toss it.
Cinnamon & Honey Smoked Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Pineapple
- ½-3/4 tsp cinnamon (depending on the size of the pineapple)
- 2 tbsp Honey
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225 Degrees F.
- Using a sharp knife cut the pineapple in half lengthwise all the way through and through the crown.
- Sprinkle each half of the pineapple with the cinnamon and drizzle with honey.
- Rub it in just a bit and transfer it out to the smoker.
- Place the pineapple directly on the grates with the inside of the pineapple facing upwards.
- Close the lid and let smoke for an hour or until desired softness and texture is reached.
- To prepare the pineapple as boats, cut each half in half again making four quarters.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully cut a small part off of the core (if it is still a bit hard)lengthwise.
- Then cut down and around carving to separate the pineapple from the shell.
- Then slice that section into pieces.
- Then use your fingers to push each piece of pineapple out alternating sides.
- Repeat in all the quarters, serve and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Cooking times may vary depending on your ability to keep the temperature.
- Pull the pineapple when it is softened to your liking.
- If cooked longer than an hour- it may be difficult to cut into boats as it will be very soft.
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