Golden Caramelized Pineapple Rings (Print Version)
Golden, caramelized pineapple rings for a sweet tropical dessert or side dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruit
01 - 1 large ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
→ Batter & Coating
02 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
04 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - Pinch of salt
07 - 1/2 cup cold sparkling water
→ For Frying
08 - Vegetable oil, for shallow frying
→ Optional Toppings
09 - 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
10 - 1/4 cup shredded coconut, toasted
11 - Vanilla ice cream (for serving)
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add cold sparkling water, whisking constantly until a smooth, thick batter forms.
02 - Pat pineapple rings thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure batter adheres properly.
03 - Pour about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers and reaches frying temperature.
04 - Dip each pineapple ring into the batter, allowing excess to drip off for an even coating.
05 - Fry pineapple rings in batches, cooking 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Do not overcrowd the pan to maintain proper frying temperature.
06 - Transfer fried pineapple rings to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
07 - Serve warm with honey or maple syrup drizzled over top. Garnish with toasted coconut or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sparkling water creates the lightest, crispest batter youve ever tasted
- It transforms ordinary pineapple into something that feels fancy enough for dinner parties but is casual enough for Tuesday nights
02 -
- Cold sparkling water is nonnegotiable here because those bubbles are what create the crispy texture
- Overcrowding the pan is the quickest way to ruin this recipe, so have patience and work in small batches
03 -
- Toast your coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking constantly, until it's fragrant and golden
- A pinch of chili powder in the batter creates this incredible sweet-spicy contrast that everyone talks about