Grilled pineapple with cinnamon butter: A simple tropical dessert for Kerala's pineapple season

Kerala's pineapple season is one of the sweetest times of the year. Markets across the state are piled high with fragrant golden fruit, and nowhere is the pineapple story more famous than in the pineapple-growing belt of Vazhakulam in Ernakulam district. Known as the Pineapple City of Kerala, Vazhakulam has built a reputation for producing juicy, flavourful pineapples that find their way into homes, restaurants and export markets alike.

While pineapple is often enjoyed fresh, grilled pineapple is one of the easiest ways to bring out its natural sweetness. Popular across parts of Latin America, including Brazil, grilled pineapple is a beloved dessert where heat caramelises the fruit's sugars, creating a smoky, sweet flavour that pairs beautifully with spices such as cinnamon.

If you have a ripe pineapple on hand, this simple tropical dessert is a delicious way to make the most of the season.

Ingredients
1 pineapple

50 g melted butter

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon powder

Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Simple syrup (optional)

Extra cinnamon powder (optional)

Preparation

Slice the pineapple into ½-inch-thick rounds and remove the core from each slice

In a bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon powder. Mix well

Brush the cinnamon butter mixture generously over the pineapple slices

Lightly grease a grill pan and place the pineapple slices on it

Grill until the underside turns golden brown, then flip and cook the other side

Continue grilling until both sides are caramelised and lightly charred around the edges

Serve hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with a little simple syrup and dust with extra cinnamon powder if desired.

A taste of the tropics
There is something fitting about pairing Kerala's seasonal pineapple with a dessert style that celebrates tropical fruit in its simplest form. The heat of the grill intensifies the fruit's sweetness while the cinnamon butter adds warmth and depth. With just a handful of ingredients and very little effort, this dessert lets the flavour of a good pineapple shine, making it one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to enjoy the harvest.