Craving something sweet and smoky without turning on the oven? These air fryer pineapple skewers give you charred, golden edges in just 12 minutes in the air fryer, with barely any oil and zero mess.
I love how simple this air fryer pineapple skewers recipe is. It’s just one bowl, one toss, and the air fryer does the rest very well.
Ready in 22 minutes with a smoky, spiced flavor that plain pineapple just doesn’t have.
This is a quick spiced pineapple snack that works well as a party starter, a light evening snack, or even a side at a barbecue style dinner.
The air fryer gives the pineapple charred edges and a soft, juicy center without deep frying.
Ingredient Notes
- Pineapple: Cut it into medium-size cubes so the pieces cook evenly and hold their shape on the skewer. Fresh pineapple works best here for natural sweetness.
- Paprika: This is what gives the skewers their light smoky color and flavor.
- Oil: Just a tablespoon is enough to help the spices stick to the pineapple and give it that golden finish.
Full Ingredients list check below. I mentioned it in the recipe card.
How to Make Air Fryer Pineapple Skewers
1. Remove the skin, and cut it into medium-size cubes. Cutting a pineapple is a little bit tricky, please use a sharp knife.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the pineapple cubes, black pepper, cumin powder, turmeric powder, paprika, herbs, salt, and oil. Mix everything well so the masala coats each piece of pineapple evenly.
3. Thread the seasoned pineapple cubes onto skewers, one piece at a time.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Arrange the pineapple skewers in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they’re not stacked on top of each other so they cook evenly.
6. Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the skewers once halfway through so both sides roast well.
7. Once the pineapple turns a light golden color with slightly charred edges, take the skewers out and serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Keep the skewers in a single layer with some space between them. This lets hot air move around each piece, so the pineapple chars instead of just steaming.
- Preheat before adding the skewers: A few minutes of preheating means the pineapple starts cooking the second it hits the basket.
- Flip halfway through: Turning the skewers once during cooking helps both sides get that golden color and char evenly.
- Check a minute or two early: Every air fryer runs a little differently, so the pineapple might be ready before the full 12 minutes. Check at the 10 minute mark so the edges don’t go past golden into burnt.
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Air Fryer Pineapple Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 cups pineapple (cut into cubes)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin powder
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon herbs
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Remove the skin, and cut it into medium-size cubes. Cutting a pineapple is a little bit tricky, please use a sharp knife.
- In a mixing bowl, add the pineapple cubes, black pepper, cumin powder, turmeric powder, paprika, herbs, salt, and oil. Mix everything well so the masala coats each piece of pineapple evenly.
- Thread the seasoned pineapple cubes onto skewers, one piece at a time.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Arrange the pineapple skewers in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they’re not stacked on top of each other so they cook evenly.
- Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the skewers once halfway through so both sides roast well.
- Once the pineapple turns a light golden color with slightly charred edges, take the skewers out and serve hot.
Notes
- Keep skewers in a single layer so they char instead of steam.
- Always preheat the air fryer before adding the skewers.
- Flip halfway through for even color on both sides.
- Cut pineapple cubes a similar size so they cook at the same rate.
- Check at the 10 minute mark since air fryers can run differently.
Nutrition
Try these air fryer pineapple skewers at your next get-together and drop a comment to tell me how they turned out.
