34 Pineapple Recipes That Go Beyond Fruit Salad

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Photo: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Sweet and refreshing pineapple is a summertime staple in homes across the South. While we agree that fresh, juicy pineapple is delicious on its own, these pineapple recipes will show you how many different ways there are to use it while cooking.

When you're picking out a whole pineapple at the store, look for green leaves and a firm outer layer. And if you shy away from using fresh pineapple because you're not sure the best way to cut it, fear no more. We're here to show you it's easier than you think. If you want to skip the knife work, convenient canned pineapple may be used in some recipes.

From mains to sides to drinks to pineapple desserts, this tropical fruit can be used in both savory and sweet dishes for extra flavor. Next time you have fresh pineapple on hand, try one of these delicious pineapple recipes. We guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

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Piña Colada Quick Bread

Pina Colada Quick Bread
Antonis Achilleos

Think of this decadent quick bread recipe as a baked version of the classic summertime drink. This pineapple recipe captures everything there is to love about the tropical treat: Juicy pineapple studs the delicately sweet loaf, and a topper of crisp toasted coconut chips is both a beautiful decoration and a final touch of sweetness

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Pineapple Bread Pudding

Pineapple Bread Pudding
Victor Protasio

Pineapple juice, Hawaiian dinner rolls, and macadamia nuts give classic bread pudding a tropical makeover. The pineapple-cream cheese mixture needs at least eight hours of refrigeration, making this a great make-ahead dessert.

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Pineapple Sunshine Cake

Pineapple Sunshine Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Our favorite dessert recipes start with a box of cake mix, which is why this pineapple recipe is one we make on repeat. The best part? This cake is made in a 13x9 pan, so it's easy to take along with you to picnics or potlucks.

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Pineapple-Sweet Tea Punch

Pineapple Sweet Tea
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Give your party punch an upgrade for summer with pineapple juice and vodka, if desired. This sweet tea-based drink is sure to cool down a hot summer day.

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Pineapple Ice Cream

Pineapple Ice Cream
Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This surprisingly simple dessert comes together quickly before heading to the freezer. To make this homemade ice cream recipe, you'll need just three ingredients and an electric mixer. No special equipment is required.

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Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney

Glazed Ham with Pineapple Chutney
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Whether it's for a special occasion or Sunday dinner, serve your next glazed ham with pineapple chutney. Including pineapple in the glaze will give your ham a nice caramelized finish.

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Pineapple-Coconut Fizz

Pineapple-Coconut Fizz
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You'll be instantly transported to a tropical vacation after just one sip of this pineapple and coconut drink. It gets the fizz from seltzer water and a boozy twist from white rum.

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Quesadillas al Pastor Recipe

Quesadillas al Pastor
Skyler Burt

Melted cheese and spicy pork pair with a pineapple-forward fruit salsa in a quesadilla your family will want again and again. Have these ready for game time or dinnertime in 30 minutes.

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Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake

Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake
Micah A. Leal

As the name suggests, this dump cake is as easy as dumping all of your ingredients into your trusty 9x13 pan and baking to perfection. With only five ingredients, this dump cake comes together quickly for any occasion.

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Pineapple-Pepper Slaw

Pineapple-Pepper Slaw
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Sweet pineapple and a zesty vinaigrette pair with cabbage for a light and refreshing slaw recipe that's the perfect addition to any summer supper. While unexpected, this pineapple recipe will capture new fans the moment they take a bite.

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Pineapple-Glazed Ham

Pineapple Glazed Ham
Jen Causey

The classic Easter centerpiece, pineapple-studded ham is captivating and delicious. A layer of mustard and brown sugar adds another crust of flavor.

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Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze

Carrot-Pineapple Mini Bundt Cakes with Buttermilk-Vanilla Glaze
Cedric Angeles; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Upgrade carrot cake with the addition of crushed pineapple and a vanilla-buttermilk glaze. These mini Bundt cakes are like a cross between a carrot cake and our always-popular hummingbird cake.

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Salmon with Pineapple-Pepper Salsa and Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Salmon with Pineapple-Pepper Salsa and Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Turn pineapple into a fruity-spicy salsa that is the perfect complement to fat-rich salmon. If you have leftover salsa, turn it into a dip for tortilla chips, or serve it on chicken tacos.

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Pineapple Casserole

pineapple casserole in a white square casserole dish
Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle,Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

This classic Southern pineapple recipe calls for just six ingredients and is the ideal salty-sweet combo. Bring this cheesy, cracker-topped casserole to any gathering, and you'll leave with an empty dish.

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Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars

Buttery Pineapple Crumble Bars
Antonis Achilleos

Take a break from classic lemon squares to try this buttery pineapple spin. A sweet crumble tops the gooey filling.

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Two-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake

a corner slice of Two-Ingredient Pineapple Angel Food Cake on a white plate with a fork
Jessica Furniss/Southern Living

A box of cake mix and a can of fruit are all you need to turn out a fluffy, fruity cake. The whipped topping is optional, but it adds a cloud-like finish to the airy cake.

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Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake
CREDIT: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

This skillet version of the classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake uses twice as much pineapple as the original. There's plenty of caramelized fruit to go around.

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Orange Sherbet Salad

Orange Sherbet Salad
Jennifer Causey

Nostalgia meets essential Southern in this old-fashioned orange sherbet salad. Pineapples and oranges are served up in fluffy marshmallow fluff-like gelatin.

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Pineapple Granita

Pineapple Granita
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL

During the summer, the best desserts are those that don't require you to turn on the oven. This pineapple granita is icy and fresh—and easy to make.

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Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Layering pineapple slices and cherries in the pan before pouring in the batter gives you an impressive finish once you flip this cake out of the pan. Simple to make and a stunning presentation—what's not to love?

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Pineapple Pie

pineapple_pie

Cinnamon and star anise flavor this unique pie that will give beloved classic pies some sweet competition. If you prefer, you can substitute the homemade crust for store-bought to make prep a little easier.

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Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges

Hummingbird Cupcakes with Candied Pineapple Wedges
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

These cupcakes are an easier take on our most popular cake recipe ever, the Hummingbird Cake. Candied pineapple wedges give a nod to the canned pineapple that gives the cupcakes a moist texture.

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Piña Colada Icebox Pie

Piña Colada Icebox Pie
Jennifer Davick

This dessert tastes like a favorite beach cocktail. Shortbread cookies serve as the crust for this Piña colada-inspired pie.

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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Spicy Pineapple Slaw
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Kellie Kelley; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This lightened-up version of slaw is mayonnaise-free for folks who like a lighter spin on the classic side. Jalapeno and Fresno chiles spice things up.

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Brown Sugar-Glazed Pineapple

Brown Sugar-Glazed Pineapple
Antonis Achilleos

Preparing pineapple in a pan with a brown sugar glaze allows it to shine as a dessert on its own. In just 15 minutes, you'll have an impressive dessert. Top with coconut ice cream and macadamia nuts for a showstopper.

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Pineapple-Coconut Cake

Pineapple Coconut Cake
Micah A. Leal

Cutting the two layers of this cake in half after they bake to create four allows more surface area for frosting. Pineapple filling and cream cheese frosting ramp up the flavor.

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Ambrosia Macaroons

Dipped Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Chewy macaroons have a hint of tropical flavor with crushed pineapple and flaked coconut. They bring cheer to any dessert buffet.

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Hummingbird Bundt Cake

Hummingbird Bundt Cake

Jennifer Davick

The classic Southern cake gets the Bundt treatment, simplifying the cake’s standard layered construction. A generous drizzle of cream cheese glaze takes place of the frosting.

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Pineapple-Basil Tea

Pineapple-Basil Tea

IAIN BAGWELL

Infuse your next batch of sweet tea with the tastes of the tropics. Fresh pineapple and basil add a refreshing twist.

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Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

There’s a reason this retro recipe has graced potluck tables for decades. Fluffy and sweet, this salad is also easy to whip up for your next gathering.

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Ambrosia Cinnamon Rolls

Ambrosia Cinnamon Rolls

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramey; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Brunch will never be the same when you bake a pan of these sweet, dreamy fruit-filled rolls. Combine cinnamon rolls with the favorite flavors of ambrosia salad for a winning way to celebrate the weekend.

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Black-Eyed Susan Slushies

Black-Eyed Susan Slushies

Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

These sunshiny sippers will cool off any event. Make these frozen treats boozy, or omit the alchohol for a family-friendly drink.

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Hummingbird Snack Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

Hummingbird Snack Cake with Brown Butter Frosting

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

This one-bowl version of the favorite Hummingbird Cake doesn’t skimp on taste. Just 20 minutes of hands-on time makes this a top pick for weeknight baking. Brown butter frosting tops it off.

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Pig Pickin' Cake

Pig Pickin' Cake
Southern Living

This recipe turns a box of cake mix and canned fruit into a spectacular dessert, fit for a pig pickin’, potluck, or whatever gathering you attend. Layer citrus cake and creamy pineapple topping for a fuss-free, impressive treat.

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