Pineapple does not need chocolate, pastry, or a blender. It needs salt, chilli, black pepper, and a knife. Core a ripe pineapple, cut it into rings, and toss them with red chilli powder, ground black pepper, sea salt, and a bit of cane sugar.
The sugar tempers the heat and the salt pulls out the juice. The chilli hits a second after the sweetness. Eat them cold from the fridge or at room temperature. They take five minutes to make and nothing about them is complicated. The kind of thing you make on repeat through spring and summer, honestly.
Tips for Making Spicy Pineapple Rings
Use a ripe pineapple
An under-ripe pineapple is too acidic and the spices cannot fix that. You want a pineapple that smells sweet at the base and yields slightly when you press it. 
Core it properly. A pineapple corer makes uniform rings. Without one, cut thick slices and remove the core with a small knife.
Season to taste
The recipe lists red chilli powder, black pepper, sea salt, and cane sugar but no exact measurements beyond ‘to taste.’ Start light and add more after tossing.
Toss the rings to coat them evenly. The spices should be visible on the surface but not so thick that they overpower the fruit.
Spicy Pineapple Rings
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Diet: Vegetarian, Omnivore, Gluten-Free
Description
Sweet, spicy, and refreshing! These pineapple rings are a simple yet flavorful treat, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 tablespoon cane sugar
Instructions
- Skin a ripe pineapple, core it with a pineapple corer, and chop it into equal-sized rings.
- Sprinkle with red chili powder, ground black pepper, salt, and a bit of cane sugar to taste.
- Toss the rings to evenly coat the spices.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the chili powder.
- To prevent the pineapple from becoming soggy, pat the rings dry with paper towels before seasoning.
- Store leftover pineapple rings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 rings
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 50
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chilli powder should I use?
Regular red chilli powder, not smoked. You want heat without a heavy flavour. Cayenne also works if you want sharper heat. Start with less than you think you need.
Can I grill these instead of eating them raw?
Yes. Grilled spicy pineapple rings caramelise the sugar and intensify the chilli. Two to three minutes per side on a hot grill. The charred edges are the best part.
How far ahead can I make these?
Season them and refrigerate for up to two days in an airtight container. The longer they sit, the more juice they release. Drain the juice before serving if you want the spice coating to stick.
CHILI pineapple rings, new snack obsession!!
Chili pineapple takes me straight back to Chennai beach stalls where the vendor shakes rock salt and chilli over fresh-cut rings. Made this for an afternoon snack last week and my American friend who’d never eaten pineapple this way was hooked by ring two. Ripe fruit matters more than the spice mix.
pineapple does not need chocolate, agreed.