Golden Caramelized Pineapple Rings (Print)

Crispy battered pineapple rings fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar. A warm, sweet delight.

# Ingredient list:

→ Pineapple

01 - 1 large fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into ½-inch rings, or 1 can pineapple rings, drained

→ Batter

02 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
03 - ¼ cup cornstarch
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
05 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
06 - ¼ teaspoon salt
07 - ¾ cup cold sparkling water
08 - 1 large egg, optional

→ For Frying & Serving

09 - 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
10 - Powdered sugar for dusting
11 - Ground cinnamon, vanilla ice cream, or caramel sauce, optional

# Directions:

01 - If using fresh pineapple, peel, core, and slice crosswise into ½-inch thick rings. Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better batter adhesion.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Pour in cold sparkling water and add egg if using. Stir gently until just combined—small lumps are acceptable. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat until the temperature reaches 350°F. Use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy, or test by dropping a small amount of batter—it should sizzle immediately and rise to the surface.
04 - Dip each pineapple ring into the batter, turning to coat completely. Lift and allow excess batter to drip off for a few seconds. The coating should be thin and even for optimal crispiness.
05 - Carefully lower battered rings into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
06 - Dust warm fried pineapple rings generously with powdered sugar. Add a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Accompany with vanilla ice cream or drizzle with warm caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert presentation.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of warm pineapple and crisp batter creates the most incredible texture contrast
  • These come together in under 30 minutes but taste like something from a restaurant dessert menu
02 -
  • Cold sparkling water is non negotiable here because room temperature water will not give you the same crispy results
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop and you will end up with soggy greasy pineapple
03 -
  • Patting the pineapple dry is the step most people skip but it makes all the difference in batter adhesion
  • If you want extra crispy results add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to the batter mixture

Go back