Juicy Grilled Pineapple with Maple Syrup

I’ll never forget the first time I tossed fresh pineapple rings on the grill and drizzled them with maple syrup—the caramelization was absolutely incredible. The natural sweetness of the pineapple combined with that rich, smoky maple flavor creates such a simple yet impressive dessert that’s become my go-to for summer cookouts. Trust me, once you try grilled pineapple this way, you’ll be making it all season long!

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 700-800
• Protein: 3-4 g
• Fat: 8-10 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

For the fruit:

• 1 large fresh pineapple (cored and sliced into 1-inch thick rings)

For the marinade:

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

Step 1: Prepare the Pineapple

• 1 large fresh pineapple

Core the fresh pineapple and slice it into 1-inch thick rings.

Pat the rings dry with paper towels to remove excess surface moisture—this helps them caramelize better on the grill rather than steam.

Set aside on a clean plate.

Step 2: Make the Maple-Butter Glaze

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, lime juice, and cayenne pepper until well combined and the sugar is mostly dissolved.

The mixture should be smooth and pourable.

I like to taste a small drop on my finger at this point to make sure the flavors are balanced—if it needs more brightness, add another squeeze of lime juice.

Step 3: Marinate the Pineapple

• Pineapple rings from Step 1
• Maple-butter glaze from Step 2

Place the pineapple rings in a shallow dish or large zip-top bag and pour the maple-butter glaze from Step 2 over them, making sure each ring gets coated on both sides.

Let them marinate for 1-2 hours at room temperature, turning them halfway through.

This allows the flavors to penetrate the fruit and creates a caramelized exterior when grilled.

Step 4: Grill the Pineapple

• Marinated pineapple from Step 3

Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350°F).

Place the marinated pineapple rings directly on the grill grates and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until they develop deep caramelized grill marks and the fruit begins to soften.

I find that letting them get a nice char adds wonderful depth to the sweetness.

Reserve any remaining glaze from the marinade dish to drizzle over the finished pineapple.

Step 5: Serve Warm

• Grilled pineapple from Step 4

Transfer the grilled pineapple rings to a serving plate while they're still warm.

Drizzle with any reserved glaze from the marinade, and serve immediately.

The warm pineapple pairs beautifully with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.