Grilled pineapple with rum is one of those simple pleasures that captures the spirit of summer in every bite. It’s tropical, sweet, a little smoky, and just boozy enough to feel like a vacation. This pairing brings together the natural sugars of ripe pineapple and the rich, caramel notes of rum, especially when warmed over an open flame or a hot grill. It’s a combination that feels both indulgent and refreshingly light, perfect for ending a warm evening outdoors.
There’s something about grilled fruit that transforms it. The heat caramelizes the sugars and softens the texture, creating a contrast of crispy char and juicy flesh. Pineapple, with its firm structure and tart-sweet flavor, holds up beautifully on the grill. Add a splash of rum and it becomes even more complex. The alcohol cooks off quickly, leaving behind its rich aroma and subtle depth that enhances every bite. Whether served on its own or with something creamy and cool, grilled pineapple with rum feels just right for a backyard gathering or a special treat for yourself.
This dish isn’t limited to summer. It brings a hint of the tropics to your table even in colder months. That burst of sunny pineapple and the warm hint of rum can transport you, even for a moment, to sandy shores and swaying palm trees. It’s also a great option when you’re looking to keep things easy but still want to impress. The ingredients are simple and the preparation quick, but the results are anything but ordinary.
Grilled pineapple with rum is versatile too. It can be served warm or chilled, as a dessert or even a surprising side with savory grilled meats. Its sweet, smoky flavor complements a variety of dishes and adds a playful twist to the usual cookout lineup.
So, the next time you’re planning a casual dinner or want something just a little different, think about throwing a few pineapple slices on the grill and brushing them with rum. It’s a quick escape to the islands with every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 whole pineapple peeled, cored, and cut into rings
- 1/4 cup dark rum or as desired
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar for caramelization
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional for extra flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the dark rum, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon together.
- Brush the pineapple slices with the rum mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
- Grill the pineapple slices for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear and the sugar has caramelized.
- Remove from the grill and serve warm. Enjoy as is, or pair with vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
Sounds easy, but does it really taste good? I am skeptical about grilled pineapple.
The cinnamon was too much for my taste. I think I prefer it plain or with just sugar.
Delicious! My family loved it and it pairs well with ice cream as you said! Will make again.
OMG, this is sooo good! I never thought of grilling pineapple, but now I’m obsessed! 🥰
Seems an easy recipe but my grill won’t even get hot! Can I do this in the oven??
Grill pineapple? Isn’t that just a waste of good fruit? Ugh, I’m skeptical.
I love grilled pineapple! It’s actually super delicious when caramelized. Give it a try before knocking it! 😊
I don’t get how you can call this a recipe. Just put pineapple on the grill and add rum? Doesn’t seem like cooking to me.
Yummy! Taste so good after off the grill! Next time, I’m gonna try with some coconut too! 🥥🍍
Coconut sounds awesome! I never thought of that. Can’t wait to see how it turns out! 🌴
This was a hit at our BBQ! The rum really makes it special. I added a bit of nutmeg too.
Not sure how I feel about putting rum on pineapple… sounds weird.
Honestly, it sounds amazing! Rum makes everything better. Give it a try!
Idk, mixing alcohol and fruit sounds strange… but maybe I’ll be surprised? 🤔
Grilled pineapple…why? Just eat it raw, it’s better! 😒
I did not have rum, so I used whiskey and it was still super delicious!
This was sooo good! The rum really brings out the flavor of the pineapple.
This is an awesome recipe! The pineapple comes out so sweet and juicy when grilled. Can’t wait to make it again!
I’m glad you loved it! Grilled pineapple is my go-to summer treat. Can’t wait to try your tips!
Pineapple is fruit?? Who knew? Haha! Anyway, I made this and it was alright but I think I like fresh better.
I thought this would be easy but my grill is broken. I just made it in the oven and it was okay, but I’m sure the grill would be better.
I’ve done it in the oven too! It still tastes great! But yeah, the grill does give it that smoky flavor. Better luck next time!
Kinda worried about flaming with the rum… mine didn’t actually catch, but it did smoke a lot. Next time I’ll use less rum and keep it covered loosely.
Grilled pineapple? Isn’t that just for desserts? Why would someone want this?
Grilled pineapple is amazing! It adds a sweet and smoky flavor that just hits different. Give it a try! 🍍
I dunno, seems weird to grill fruit. I mean, isn’t fruit supposed to be fresh? 😕
Just two words: absolutely fantastic!
I’m so glad you loved it! It’s one of my favorites too!
Absolutely… but isn’t using rum for pineapple kind of a waste? Lol. Just saying!
My kids gobbled these up! I left out the rum since they are kids, but they were still super yummy.
I loved this recipe! So easy and tasty. Served it with ice cream and it was a hit at the party! 🍦
Grilling pineapple? Who knew? My kids devoured this! Thanks for sharing!
This is definitely a summer dessert vibe. Also, brushing the pineapple with the rum/sugar mixture is genius.
YUM! This made my BBQ perfect. Who knew pineapple could be so good?!
Pineapple?? Is that even good on a BBQ? Sounds kinda strange to me.
I can’t believe you grilled pineapple! I always thought it was just for desserts. Gotta try this!
Kinda just tastes like burnt fruit to me. Not my thing.
I tried this but the rum taste was too strong for me. Maybe use less rum next time.
Really easy recipe, took me 10 minutes. Way better than boring ol fruit salad!
I burnt my pineapple! But was still somehow tasty lol.
Easy to make but the flavor was just ok. Didn’t blow me away like I thought it would.
I thought the same! It needed something more to really stand out. Maybe try adding some mint next time?
I loved it! The rum and sugar combo made it sweet and smokey, perfection on the grill! 🤤
Grilled who? What’s next, grilled apples? Stick to what you know LOL.
Grilled pineapple is amazing! You’re missing out if you haven’t tried it. It’s sweet and smoky, plus the rum adds a nice kick!
I dunno, grilled fruit sounds weird to me. Just stick to real food like meat. Fruits are for salads!
simple and yummy! did not expect it to be this good 👌
5 stars all the way! I added some maraschino cherries on top, loved it!
Got too much rum outta control! Think I poured too much on, lol. Still tasty tho!
WTF! Is this even a real recipe?? Rum and fruit can’t be good together. Just eat pineapple plain!
Quick and yummy
Quick and yummy is right! I did this last week and the caramel on the edges is unreal. I skipped the cinnamon and it still worked great with a little extra brown sugar.
Sounds tasty but I’m skeptical about only 3-4 minutes per side—my pineapple always takes longer to soften on the grill. Also, do you really need rum or can I just use more sugar? 😅
Eh… it was okay. Didn’t blow my mind or anything. Maybe I’ll try again without the cinnamon.
Uh, can I use fresh pineapples? Just asking because I think canned ones might work too?
This was AMAZING! The rum really makes the pineapple pop. My guests were blown away!
This was delicious! The rum adds a nice touch. Definitely making it again!
I mixed up the cinnamon with cayenne pepper by accident. The pineapple was spicy! LOL, but still good.
Absolutely loved this recipe! The caramelization made the pineapple taste like candy. Will definitely make again!
Delicious recipe but didn’t caramelize much for me. I think my grill wasn’t hot enough. Still good though!
So simple yet so delicious, I felt like a chef! Will try with other fruits too 🥳.
Grilled pineapple is the best! I’ve tried adding strawberries too, yum! 🍓
I don’t know about the rum part, seems a bit much. But the idea of grilled pineapple does sound good.
Grilled pineapple is the best! But I didn’t have rum, so I used vodka instead. LOL. Still worked out pretty well.
This tastes like dessert… but also like a science experiment. The sugar caramel thing worked for me, but I should’ve brushed more evenly. Some slices were perfect, some were less so.
Mine kinda burned 😬 maybe my grill was too hot? Also I used light rum and it didn’t caramelize right. How do you keep the sugar from turning bitter?
Yes!! That’s exactly it—dessert vibes with a little “lab experiment” energy 😄 I’ve been there with uneven brushing. Next time try a quicker, more even pass (or do an extra coat).
I didn’t have rum so used apple juice instead. Still turned out good, but not the same tho.
This sounds fancy but I don’t have a grill. Will it work in the oven? Because I wanna try! 🤔
Grilled pineapple? Who even thought of that? Sounds weird but I tried it and it’s delish!
I dunno, it still sounds kinda weird to me. Pineapple should be fresh, not grilled! 🤷♂️
Grilled pineapple is actually pretty popular in some places! You should try it with ice cream, it’s a game changer!
Tried this tonight—wow. The caramel smell on the grill is unreal. I used a little extra cinnamon and it was perfect with vanilla ice cream.
Not a fan. The rum flavor was way too strong for my taste. I think I’ll skip it next time.
I made this for a BBQ and everyone loved it! The caramelization is just perfect. Don’t skip the ice cream!
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it at my next cookout. Grilled pineapple is the best!
Meh. Pineapple is fine but the sugar got a little burnt on the edges for me. Still edible, just not “wow.”
Shouldn’t the rum evaporate when grilling? Is it still alcoholic?
Delish! But my hubby said it’s way too sticky. Still yum though.
Naww, sticky is good! Just means it’s extra yummy! 🍍🙌
I think it’s all about how well you grill them! Maybe reduce the rum or sugar next time? 🤔
Simple and kind of fancy for how fast it is. Pineapple caramelizes really nicely after 3-4 minutes a side—just don’t walk away.
Yum!! I used cinnamon and it made it taste so much better! Great summer treat.
Cinnamon sounds interesting! Never thought about adding it. I’ll have to try it next time.
I dunno, cinnamon with pineapple? Seems weird to me. Just stick with the classic rum and sugar!
Soooo good 😭 grilled pineapple is the best. Used cinnamon and it made the whole kitchen smell like a snack. Will do again for sure.
I tried this once but didn’t caramelize right… I think my grill was too low or I flipped too early. Still tasted amazing though. Anyone have tips to stop it from burning?
Yes!! 😭 grilled pineapple is dangerously good. I love adding cinnamon too—totally makes it feel like dessert without trying too hard.
Too sweet for my taste. Maybe cut back on the sugar next time?
Pineapples r 2 tropical for me. I prefer apples! Never gonna grill pineapples.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about rum on fruit, but it actually tastes like dessert. Paired with ice cream and it was perfect.
I don’t grill much, so I was skeptical, but the instructions are clear. I used medium heat and it came out sweet and smoky.
How do you even measure 1/4 cup of rum? I just poured until it looked right. No regrets!
I don’t get why people said this is amazing. The pineapple just got mushy on the grill. Lame.
But it’s supposed to be juicy! Maybe not your taste, but lots of people love it like that. Give it another try??
I think you might have overcooked it! Pineapple can get mushy if left too long. It’s all about timing on the grill.
Made this last night—so good. The caramelization actually happens like the recipe says and the cinnamon adds a nice warmth. Paired with vanilla ice cream and it felt fancy for how easy it was.
Grilled pineapple is the best! Takes me back to Hawaii. 🌴🌊
This was so delicious! The rum and brown sugar combo really adds somethin special. Slapped it on some vanilla ice cream, yum!
Tried it with light rum because that’s what I had… still tasty, but not as deep. Next time I’ll use dark rum for sure. Grill time felt about right too.
This was sooo good! The caramelization made it taste amazing! Definitely a summer favorite! 🍍❤️
Wow! So easy. 10/10 would grill again. Pineapple should always be caramelized like that 😄
The instructions are good, but 3-4 minutes per side felt too long on my grill. Mine got a little too charred. Still tasty, just adjust heat.
Tried this with my kids, they loved it! 🍍❤️
I didn’t have dark rum so I used regular rum and it still tasted good, but the caramel color wasn’t as deep. Would make again though.
This is dangerously easy. I didn’t bother with the cinnamon and it was still great. Pro tip: don’t walk away while it’s on the grill—sugar goes from perfect to burnt quick.
I didn’t have dark rum so I used light rum instead and it turned out fine. Still tasty but I imagine the dark rum would be even better. Next time!
I followed it pretty close but my pineapple got a little too dark after 3 minutes. Maybe my grill runs hot—still tasted good though.
YUM! So sweet and caramelized! Perfect for summer, I served it to my kids with ice cream and they devoured it. 👍
That sounds amazing! I’ve never thought of pairing pineapple with rum like that. Definitely gonna try it!
Not gonna lie, I thought rum + fruit would be weird. But it’s actually really balanced—sweet, smoky, and the rum aroma stays subtle after grilling.
I was skeptical too, but your description sounds spot on. Next time I’ll probably use a little less rum so it doesn’t get too sweet after caramelizing. 🍍
I didn’t have dark rum, so I used spiced rum instead. It worked! But it was a bit sweeter than I expected.
I was skeptical about grlling pineapple, but wow. 3-4 minutes a side was spot on—any longer and it probably dries out. I used light rum since that’s what I had and it still worked great.
Made this last night—so easy and the pineapple gets super caramelized. The rum/cinnamon combo is surprisingly good. Would absolutely grill again.
Why would you cook fruit? This sounds weird to me. Pineapple should be eaten fresh not grilled.
I used to think that too, but grilling brings out a whole new flavor! Give it a try, you might be surprised.
But isn’t it just juicy? Why mess with it? Fresh is the way to go for sure.
I burned the first batch… it’s my fault I left them too long. The second batch was way better. Learn from me, don’t walk away.
Wow—my kids went back for seconds. I used about half the sugar and it was still sweet enough. The grill smell is amazing.
Not sure about using dark rum. Feels a bit fancy for pineapple… also I think you’re supposed to cook it way longer? Mine only got grill marks and stayed juicy, but I expected more. Might be user error.
The ratio is small—like, not much rum compared to sugar. I might add a touch more next time for more flavor depth.
Why would you put rum on fruit? Seems kinda wrong to me. I’m sticking to regular grilled pineapples.
I get where you’re coming from, but rum actually adds a nice depth of flavor to grilled fruit! Give it a try!
Why rum? Can’t we just do it without alcohol? Feels unneccesary.
I’m skeptical about “caramelized” in just 3-4 minutes per side. Mine got grill marks but the sugar didn’t really turn glossy, more like sticky. Maybe my pineapple was too wet?
Looks easy. Yummy!
My new favorite way to eat pineapple! And the cinnamon adds a great kick. Highly recommend!
I didn’t have dark rum so I used regular and it was still fine. Grill marks looked amazing.
Good to know—regular rum worked for you! The grill marks are half the fun 😄 I always worry about the sugar caramelizing too fast though—did you find it burned at all?
I made these for my BBQ and everyone loved them. Perfect with the ice cream!
I followed the steps but my pineapple rings fell apart on the grill. Maybe I cut them too thin? Still tasted awesome though, just didn’t look as pretty.
This is soooo good! I made it for my barbecue last weekend and everyone loved it! Pineapple and rum are a match made in heaven. 5 stars!
This is dangerously good. I ate half before it even hit the table. 10/10, would recommend to anyone with a grill.
Tried it but my pineapple was still kinda watery. I think I didn’t let the sugar cook long enough. Next time I’ll go a bit longer per side.
Yeah, that makes sense—if the sugar doesn’t caramelize fully it’ll stay a bit thin. I usually cook until it looks darker and slightly sticky, not just “heated.” 3-4 min per side can vary a lot with pineapple ripeness.
Honestly, it tasted like sweet pineapple with grill marks. I expected more “caramel” happening, maybe my sugar wasn’t enough? Not bad though.
Really good if you like sweet! Just don’t think you should put that cinnamon, it’s too much for me. But overall it’s tasty!
Bold flavor for a simple dessert. The grill marks are gorgeous and the smell is amazing. I served mine with vanilla bean ice cream and it was a hit.
Is rum really necessary? I used just sugar and cinnamon and it was still good. 🤷♂️
Nah, rum ain’t needed. Sugar and cinnamon make it sweet enough. Just don’t burn the pineapple!
Well, rum definitely adds a unique flavor, but I guess it depends on your taste! Glad you liked it without. 👍
Could you make this in the oven? I don’t have a grill. I feel like the caramelization won’t happen the same way.
Yes— you can do it in the oven. Broil is the closest to grilling, and you’ll still get caramelization as long as the sugar is in direct high heat.
Idk, the rum mix tasted strong before grilling, so I expected a boozy flavor. After grilling it was mild, which is fine, but I wanted more rum punch.
Meh. Too sweet and the cinnamon made it taste a little like breakfast. Still edible, but not wow.
I used light rum instead of dark and it still worked. Maybe not as deep flavor, but still caramelized nicely.
Simple and honestly kind of genius. I used a splash of rum that I had and it turned out great on the grill. Would eat again.
I dunno… pineapple already has sugar, so adding rum + brown sugar seems like overkill. Mine got a bit too dark before the inside warmed. Next time I’ll lower the heat and brush thinner.
Simple and honestly kind of genius indeed! I did exactly this and the caramelization on the grill marks is unreal. I also swapped in a little ginger and it still tasted awesome.
I’m not usually a fan of fruit on the grill, but this surprised me. Sweet, smoky, and the cinnamon is subtle, not overpowering.
This is good but 3-4 minutes per side seems fast. Pineapple has texture—if it’s thick slices maybe go longer? Idk.
Lol I tried like 10 minutes once and it turned sad and crunchy?? maybe my pineapple was just dry. 3-4 min per side sounds more right, especially if they’re not super thick.
Agree that 3–4 min/side is kinda quick—pineapple can go from perfect to mushy fast though. If your rings are thick, I’d add a minute or two and just watch for real caramel color + grill marks.
Could you substitute the rum with something like vanilla extract? I’m asking for a friend, lol. The recipe looks great otherwise.
Tried it but my caramelization didn’t really happen—maybe my grill runs hot? I brushed it but sugar kind of dripped. Still tasty though, just more like grilled fruit with a rum glaze.
Your description actually sounds kinda right 😅 If the sugar drops, it can turn into more of a glaze than true caramel. I usually pat the pineapple dry and let the sugar-rum sit on it for a minute before grilling.
Happened to me too—my grill runs hotter than I think. Next time I’m going to lower it to like medium and do a thinner sugar coat so it doesn’t all drip off before caramelizing.