Rum-Soaked Fried Pineapple Dessert (Printable)

Tropical fruit preparation featuring rum-soaked pineapple fried to caramelized perfection, served warm with optional sweet toppings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch thick rings or wedges

→ Soaking Mixture

02 - 1/2 cup dark rum
03 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar

→ Batter & Frying

04 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1/4 cup cornstarch
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 cup cold sparkling water
08 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ To Serve

09 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
11 - Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine dark rum and brown sugar in a shallow dish. Add pineapple pieces and turn to coat thoroughly. Allow to soak for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
02 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in cold sparkling water until a smooth, thick batter forms.
03 - Pour 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet or deep pan. Heat over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 350°F.
04 - Remove pineapple from the rum mixture and pat lightly dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into the batter, allowing excess to drip off.
05 - Fry pineapple pieces in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain proper oil temperature.
06 - Transfer fried pineapple to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve warm, drizzled with honey or maple syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. Accompany with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The rum infuses every fiber of the pineapple while the batter creates this incredible crispy shell that shatters when you bite through to the steaming fruit inside
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but looks like something from a restaurant dessert menu
02 -
  • Working with cold sparkling water is not optional here, warm water makes the batter heavy and sad
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the oil temperature drops and you end up with soggy pineapple instead of crispy perfection
03 -
  • Let the batter sit for 5 minutes before using, the sparkling water stays active longer this way
  • Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the finished pineapple instead of regular salt, those little crystals melt on your tongue and create tiny bursts of flavor

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