This Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites recipe is the BEST easy appetizer recipe that’s gluten-free, low-carb, and easy to make in minutes! Perfect for parties and made with only 4 simple ingredients!
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
We love anything and everything sweet and salty so the combination of bacon and pineapple? Yes please! Easy appetizers are great for the holiday season, entertaining, and even for girls night! Whether you’re hosting friends and family or just looking for a delicious snack, these Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites are where it’s at!
They’re sweet and savoury, they’re easy to make in just a few minutes, and they can be made from either fresh or canned pineapple, so they’re easy to throw together in a pinch before your next get-together!
When it comes to entertaining, “less is more” often holds true—especially when it comes to wrapping anything in bacon! Easy-to-make starters like our bacon wrapped pineapple mean less time in the kitchen and more time mingling with your guests.
They’re easy to assemble ahead of time and pop in the oven right before your guests arrive. And the best part? They’re SO easy to customize to your favourite flavours: not into pineapple? Try wrapping things like water chestnuts, fresh scallops, chicken tenders, or even dates in bacon! They’re all delicious!
If you’re making bacon wrapped pineapple bites for your next appetizer, here’s a list of our best tips and tricks for success!
A pro tip that never fails is to prepare your sauce in advance. A day or two before your event, whisk together the semi-sweet and slightly spicy sauce components and let them sit. This not only saves you time on the day but also allows the flavours to meld beautifully, creating a rich glaze that will envelop your appetizers in a sticky, flavourful embrace.
When making a bacon-wrapped appetizer it’s really all about the bacon! Choose a good quality bacon that’s got a good flavour and isn’t too salty. Thickness matters too when it comes to selecting bacon for wrapping. Aim for a cut that’s just right—not too thin, not too thick—providing enough thickness to handle the heat and keep its shape without overpowering the delicate pineapple. This balance gives each bite the right amount of salty and sweet.
Keep the sauce simple: just a little soy sauce for a savoury flavour and some brown sugar for sweetness. Brush the sauce on all sides and brush again halfway through baking for even more flavour (this step is optional)
If you can get your hands on a fresh, ripe pineapple we’ll always recommend using fresh for this recipe, but if fresh pineapple isn’t available where you live, canned will do just fine. Just be sure to choose the highest quality you can. Dole brand sells large pineapple chunks, Tropical Gold or Gold Deluxe (paid links), that are as close to fresh as any canned pineapple we’ve ever tried.
Ensure the pieces of bacon are long enough to wrap all the way around each piece of pineapple. We recommend laying the slice of bacon down, placing the pineapple chunk in the middle and then pulling the bacon up over the top of the pineapple, making sure the bacon overlaps and securing it with a toothpick. This is the best method for preventing the bacon from opening up and falling off the chunks of pineapple. You’ll likely need about 1/2 slice of bacon for each chunk of pineapple.
Lining the baking sheet or baking dish you use with parchment paper (paid link) is a MUST! Combined with the sweet juices the pineapple releases when baking, the sauce can burn to the bottom of the pan, especially if you’ve got your oven turned up too high. Line your baking pan to prevent a huge mess!
Here’s a list of common issues you might encounter when making this recipe and how to fix them!
If the bacon is being uncooperative and not staying put, fear not. A well-placed toothpick can act as an anchor, so add another toothpick if necessary for the ones falling apart.
Sometimes the bacon shrinks and unwraps from the pineapple during cooking, creating a less-than-ideal presentation. To combat this, stretch the bacon slightly before wrapping. As it cooks, it will shrink back to its original size and cling to the pineapple, maintaining that perfect wrap.
Should your pineapple pieces start to over-brown while the bacon is still pale, the oven temperature could be too high. Try lowering the temperature slightly and moving your tray to a lower rack, allowing a gentler heat to cook the bacon through without sacrificing the pineapple.
A common issue is ending up with bacon that’s crispy on top but soggy underneath. To avoid this, consider using a wire rack in your baking sheet. This elevates the appetizers, allowing air to circulate fully and rendering the bacon evenly crisp all around.
If the bacon-wrapped pineapple is sticking to the baking sheet, causing them to rip apart when you try to move them, there’s a simple fix. Ensure the baking sheet is well-greased or lined with parchment paper. This will make removal a breeze, keeping your appetizers intact and presentation-ready. If they’re already stuck, use a sharp knife or a sharp lifter to coax them free.
Here’s a list of the basic kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this delicious bacon wrapped pineapple recipe (paid links):
- a large baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- a large knife
- a Cutting Board
- kitchen scissors
- toothpicks
- a Pastry Brush
- a small Prep Bowl
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious bacon wrapped pineapple bites appetizer recipe (paid links):
- 1 large fresh or canned pineapple you’ll need 28-30 large chunks in total
- 15 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Want to make a twist on this bacon wrapped pineapple bites recipe? Here’s a list of our favourite variations on this basic recipe!
- Barbecue: skip the soy sauce and brown sugar and brush them with barbecue sauce before baking!
- Maple-Glazed: Brush the bacon with pure maple syrup during the last few minutes of baking for a Canadian twist with a sweet, rich glaze.
- Cheese-Stuffed: Tuck a small piece of sharp cheddar or creamy brie inside the pineapple before wrapping in bacon for a gooey surprise.
- Jalapeño Kick: Place a slice of jalapeño on the pineapple before wrapping in bacon for a pop of heat.
- Teriyaki Twist: Use a teriyaki sauce in place of the soy sauce mixture for a Japanese-inspired version of the original.
- Hawaiian: Add a cherry on top of the pineapple before wrapping in bacon.
- Herbs: Sprinkle bacon with a mix of dried herbs such as thyme and rosemary before baking for an aromatic touch.
- Spiced Rum: Marinate pineapple chunks in spiced rum before wrapping in bacon to infuse a warm, spicy flavour
- Sweet and Spicy: Add a sprinkle of brown sugar and cayenne pepper on the bacon before wrapping for a caramelized, spicy crust.
- Tropical Fruit: Combine pineapple with mango or peach chunks before wrapping in bacon to blend multiple fruit flavours together!!
Time needed: 35 minutes
Follow these steps for the perfect bacon wrapped pineapple recipe!
- Don’t skip the parchment paper.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet or a large baking dish with parchment paper. The parchment paper will prevent burning and sticking.
- Prepare the pineapple chunks.
If you’re using a fresh pineapple, cut out the core and cut 28-30 large chunks (about 1.5 inches in size).
- Cut the bacon slices in half.
Wrap half a slice of bacon around each piece of pineapple, securing the overlapping ends at the top with a toothpick.
- Brush with the sauce.
Place the bacon wrapped pineapple on the prepared baking sheet. In a small prep bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and brown sugar, brushing it on to the bacon and pineapple bites on all sides.
- Bake to perfection.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is browned and cooked through and the pineapple pieces have softened but have kept their shape. You can also brush on more of the soy sauce mixture halfway through baking for more flavour (this step is optional).
- Serve immediately.
These are best served immediately after baking while they’re hot and crispy!
Can I use canned pineapple for this recipe?
Yes! Choose good quality canned pineapple chunks that are large in size (not tidbits).
Can bacon-wrapped pineapple be made ahead of time?
Yes! Wrap the pineapple and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Brush with the sauce just before baking.
How do you prevent the bacon from becoming soggy?
Bake at a slightly higher temperature or use a wire rack to help keep the bacon crisp on the bottom.
Can I freeze bacon wrapped pineapple?
We don’t recommend storing this appetizer in the freezer. It’s best made and enjoyed fresh.
We hope you love this bacon wrapped pineapple recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite easy appetizer? We’d love to know!
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Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 1 large fresh or canned pineapple you'll need 28-30 large chunks
- 15 slices bacon
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce gluten-free, if required
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Recipe: Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet or a large baking dish with parchment paper.
- Prepare the pineapple chunks. If you're using a fresh pineapple, cut out the core and cut 28-30 large chunks (about 1.5 inches in size).
- Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap half a slice of bacon around each piece of pineapple, securing the overlapping ends at the top with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon wrapped pineapple on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small prep bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and brown sugar, brushing it on to the bacon and pineapple bites on all sides.
- Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is browned and cooked through and the pineapple pieces have softened but have kept their shape. You can also brush on more of the soy sauce mixture halfway through baking for more flavour (this step is optional).
- Serve immediately.
Recipe: Notes
Make-Ahead Instructions
To make this recipe ahead of time, simply assemble the bacon wrapped pineapple and place it on the baking sheet in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance. Brush them with the sauce and pop them in the oven when ready to bake and serve.How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat them in the oven or the air fryer until heated through.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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Now here’s a dish that will be served this Christmas Eve as an appetizer! I will definitely prepare one of these babies beforehand as a trial run with a cold beer and a hockey game. Thank you for the recipe! Yum!