Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers
Sweet pineapple chunks are caramelized in a rich rum glaze, creating a tropical appetizer perfect for grilling season. This caribbean-inspired snacks ready in about 25 minutes turns cut into 1-inch chunks fresh pineapple, dark rum, brown sugar into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups, cut into 1-inch chunks fresh pineapple
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 6, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup dark rum, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 2: Thread the 2 cups pineapple chunks onto 6 wooden skewers evenly, about 4-5 pieces each.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Place the pineapple skewers on the grill and brush generously with the rum glaze.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with more glaze after flipping, until the pineapple caramelizes and has grill marks.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving with any remaining glaze drizzled on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Caribbean Rum-Glazed Pineapple Skewers?
Caribbean snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
