Pineapple Fritters (Deep Fried Pineapple Rings)

Name: Pineapple Fritters (Deep Fried Pineapple Rings)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 10-12 slices of canned pineapple (one 20 oz. can); 2/3 cup + 3 tablespoons (200 ml) whole milk; 1 large egg, room temperature; 2/3 cup + 2 tablespoons (100 g) all-purpose flour; 4.2 oz (120 g) shredded coconut; 2 1/2 tablespoons (20 g) icing (powdered) sugar; 1 pinch of salt; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 33.8 fl oz (1 liter) frying oil

Modified: Aug 22, 2026 · Published: Aug 11, 2021 by Irina Totterman · This post may contain affiliate links · 49 Comments

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Quick Summary: Pineapple fritters are pineapple rings dipped in a light batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. This French-style recipe uses canned pineapple and a coconut-flecked batter, and the fritters are ready in about 15 minutes of active work, served warm with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Pineapple fritter with the rest of fritters on a marble board

What are pineapple fritters?

Pineapple fritters are pineapple rings coated in a light batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. In this French-style version, known as beignets d'ananas, each ring is dipped in batter and shredded coconut, so you get a crisp, golden shell around a warm, juicy slice of pineapple.

Fritters appear in cuisines all over the world, from beignets in France and frittelle in Italy to loukoumades in Greece and tempura in Japan. Fruit fritters like these are a simple way to turn ripe or canned fruit into a quick, warm dessert with very little effort.

Stacked deep-fried pineapple rings with half of the ring on a marble board

Why you'll love this recipe

This pineapple fritters recipe is easy, quick, and loved by kids and adults.
Using canned or fresh fruit makes this no-bake dessert an all-year-round favorite.
It uses whole fruit rings, not crushed pineapple.
This fritter batter recipe is all you need to make fruit fritters: apples, bananas, etc. Coat fruit in the batter, grated coconut, and deep-fry.
Homemade pineapple fritters are finger foods perfect for breakfast, snacks, and summertime gatherings.

Ingredients

For ingredients and detailed instructions, refer to the recipe card below.

Pineapple: Use canned pineapple rings (one 20 oz. can) or replace them with pineapple slices.

Milk: Use whole milk or replace it with the same amount of coconut milk.

Egg: Use 1 large egg at room temperature.

Flour: Use all-purpose flour.

Shredded coconut: Use organic unsweetened shredded coconut.

Icing sugar: Make it yourself with a coffee grinder or use powdered or confectioners' sugar.

Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the fritter batter's flavor.

Oil: Use olive oil for making the batter and vegetable oil for frying. Its smoke point is high enough: between 440°F (226°C) and 450°F (232°C). You can also use other neutral, high-heat oils such as canola oil, sunflower oil, or peanut oil, but they are more expensive.

Equipment

To make pineapple fritters at home, gather these basic kitchen tools before you start:

flour sifter
large mixing bowl
hand whisk
shallow plate
large saucepan or deep skillet
kitchen thermometer
tongs
slotted spoon

Half of the fried pineapple ring, a knife, and three fritters on a marble board

How to make pineapple fritters

Step 1. To make the pineapple fritter batter, sift plain flour into a large bowl. Combine flour with icing sugar.

Step 2. Make a fountain in the center of the flour mixture, pour in the egg and olive oil (photo 1), and mix with a rubber spatula or a wire whisk.

Step 3. Then pour in the cold milk little by little and mix until you get a thick, smooth batter resembling pancake batter (photo 2). Cover the bowl with plastic film and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Photo 1: Egg, oil with dry ingredients in a bowl Photo 2: Batter in a bowl — **PHOTO 1 PHOTO 2**

Step 4. Meanwhile, drain pineapple rings using a kitchen paper towel. Pour frying oil into a large saucepan or skillet and heat over medium heat to 350°F (175°C); use a cooking thermometer.

Step 5. Pour shredded coconut on a shallow plate. Dip pineapple rings in the batter mixture to coat them thoroughly, and shake off the excess batter.

Step 6. Then put them in shredded coconut (photo 3). Finally, dip the pineapple slices coated in batter and coconut into hot oil.

Step 7. Cook for about 1 to 3 minutes per side, turning with two forks or tongs until golden brown (photo 4).

Photo 3: Fruit ring covered with shredded coconut Photo 4: Rings in a pan with oil — **PHOTO 3 PHOTO 4**

Step 8. Continue with the rest of the pineapple rings, cooking them two by two. Remove fritters with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and serve immediately.

Pineapple fritters on a serving board; a teacup in the background

Expert tips

Be sure the pineapple rings are well-drained and patted dry; otherwise, the fritter batter will not stick.
If you don't have a cooking thermometer, add 3 to 4 raw, dry corn kernels to the oil. Once they burst, the oil is at the right temperature.
Do not overcrowd the saucepan while frying: fry two pineapple rings at once. Cooking more than two rings at once can drop the oil temperature and make the fritters greasy instead of crispy.
Set the oven on low heat to keep the finished fritters warm, and place rings on a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Keep fritters in the oven until ready to serve.

Recipe variations

Pineapple rings: Use fresh or frozen pineapple to make the fritters.
Pineapple fritter batter: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make gluten-free pineapple fritters.
Coating: Coat pineapple rings in batter, with or without coconut. Alternatively, only wrap them in shredded coconut or breadcrumbs and deep-fry.
Cinnamon sugar: Toss the warm fritters in a mix of granulated sugar and ground cinnamon instead of, or in addition to, powdered sugar.
Cooking method: Pan-fry the rings in a shallow layer of oil, or air-fry them at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes for a lighter result.
Spiced batter: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla to the batter for extra warmth and flavor.
Vegan version: Replace the egg and milk with plant-based milk and a tablespoon of cornstarch, and fry in neutral oil for a dairy-free, egg-free batter.
Brown sugar glaze: Instead of coconut, dust the warm fritters with brown sugar, or briefly caramelize the drained rings in butter and brown sugar before dipping them in batter.

How to serve it

Pineapple fritters are best served warm, straight from the oil while the coating is still crisp. Dust them with powdered sugar or toss them in cinnamon sugar (a mix of granulated sugar and a little ground cinnamon) for a classic finish.

For a richer dessert, serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce, warm caramel, or your favorite syrup. They also make a fun snack on their own with a cup of coffee or tea.

Storing & freezing

Pineapple fritter rings are best eaten on the same day. You cannot store them in the fridge. Pineapple fritters cannot be frozen, either.

Recipe FAQ

Who invented pineapple fritters?
The first pineapple fritters recipe appeared in 1861 in The Book of Household Management, edited by Isabella Beeton.

Can you make fritter batter ahead?
Yes. Once you make the batter, cover it with plastic film and refrigerate for up to 2 hours, or overnight if needed. Give it a quick stir before using.

Do you need a deep fryer to make these fritters?
No. You can fry pineapple fritters in a saucepan or deep skillet with a few inches of oil, using tongs or two forks to turn them.

Can you make pineapple fritters in an air fryer?
Yes. Place the coated rings in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket, spray lightly with oil, and cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway. They will be lighter than deep-fried fritters.

How do you make pineapple fritters healthier?
For a lighter version, pan-fry or air-fry the fritters instead of deep-frying, use fresh pineapple to cut added sugar, and dust with a little cinnamon instead of powdered sugar.

Can you reheat pineapple fritters?
Reheat pineapple fritters in a toaster oven or regular oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to bring back their crispness. Avoid the microwave, which makes them soft.

What is in pineapple fritter batter?
The batter is a simple mix of plain flour, icing sugar, egg, a little olive oil, and cold milk, whisked until smooth like pancake batter. You can add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla for extra flavor.

Can you use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
Yes. Peel and core a fresh pineapple, slice it into rings about half an inch thick, and pat them completely dry before dipping. Fresh pineapple is less sweet and juicier, so drain it well so the batter sticks.

How many carbs are in a pineapple fritter?
One pineapple fritter has about 9.9 grams of carbohydrates, roughly 3.3 percent of a 300-gram daily value.

How many calories are in a pineapple fritter?
One pineapple fritter contains about 77 calories. Based on a 2,000-calorie daily diet, that is roughly 3.85 percent of your daily calories per fritter.

Love dessert fritters? Try these next!

Blueberry fritters
Apricot fritters
Apple fritters
Nun's Farts (French deep-fried beignets donuts)

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Recipe card

The nutritional information has been calculated using an online recipe nutrition calculator such as Verywellfit.com and is intended for informational purposes only. These figures should be used as a general guideline and not be construed as a guarantee.

The recipe was adapted from https://gourmand.viepratique.fr/. It was originally published on April 19, 2019. The recipe has been revised to include improved content and photos.

About Irina Totterman

I'm Irina, an experienced home baker with over 30 years of expertise and the blogger behind Baking Like a Chef (since 2018), where I share baking recipes, tips, and tricks. My recipes have been featured in the renowned French Chef Simon and Le Journal des Femmes.