Can I make these skewers ahead of time?

You can wrap the pineapple spears and refrigerate them on a parchment-lined tray up to 4 hours before cooking. Pat the pineapple dry again before wrapping. Any extra moisture from sitting will ruin the crisp. Cook them just before serving for the best texture.

What's the best dipping sauce for this appetizer?

The pineapple-jalapeño dipping sauce in the recipe is the best match. It simmers in 5 minutes and thickens with a cornstarch slurry, giving you a glossy, tangy-sweet kick. The minced jalapeño cuts the prosciutto's saltiness without burying the caramelized fruit.

Can I use bacon instead of prosciutto?

Yes. Par-cook bacon slices for 3 minutes to render some fat, then wrap the spears and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes. Fully raw bacon won't crisp in that short time and leaves the appetizer greasy. The smokier flavor changes the sweet-savory balance but still works beautifully.

Is this appetizer served hot or cold?

The baked and grilled versions are best hot, right off the sheet pan or grill, when the prosciutto is shatteringly crisp. The no-cook version works at room temperature for up to an hour. Leftovers reheat well at 350°F for 5 minutes, but cold they lose their snap.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pineapple (Baked, Grilled, or No-Cook)

Name: Prosciutto-Wrapped Pineapple (Baked, Grilled, or No-Cook)
Prep time: 18 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into 24 spears (¾-inch thick); 12 thin slices prosciutto (about 6 oz), each halved lengthwise; 8 bamboo or metal skewers (soak bamboo in water 20 min if using); ⅓ cup pineapple juice; 3 tablespoons ketchup; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water; 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced fine; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary; Pinch black pepper

Description

Sweet pineapple spears wrapped in prosciutto and baked until crispy, served with a tangy pineapple-jalapeño dipping sauce. A quick sweet-savory appetizer that works for parties or weeknight snacks.

Ingredients

Scale

For the skewers:

1 medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, cut into 24 spears (¾-inch thick)

12 thin slices prosciutto (about 6 oz), each halved lengthwise

8 bamboo or metal skewers (soak bamboo in water 20 min if using)

For the pineapple-jalapeño dipping sauce:

⅓ cup pineapple juice

3 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water

1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced fine

For the rosemary oil (optional):

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

Pinch black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Soak bamboo skewers in water for 20 minutes if using.

2. Pat pineapple spears completely dry with a clean towel.

3. Thread 3 pineapple spears onto each skewer, leaving a little space between them.

4. Wrap each spear tightly with a half-slice of prosciutto, overlapping slightly. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake on the upper oven rack for 10–12 minutes, until prosciutto is crisp and browned and pineapple edges look lightly caramelized.

6. Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce: in a small saucepan, combine pineapple juice, ketchup, honey, vinegar, and jalapeño. Bring to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the bubbling liquid and cook 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat.

7. For optional rosemary oil, stir together olive oil, rosemary, and black pepper in a small bowl.

8. Drizzle skewers with rosemary oil and serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Notes

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze, texture will change. Reheat at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Patting the pineapple completely dry is the key to crispy prosciutto.

For a grilled version, cook over medium heat 5–7 minutes per side, turning once.

For a no-cook version, skip the oven and serve immediately, the prosciutto stays silky.

Prep Time: 18 min
Cook Time: 12 min
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 skewer
Calories: 184 kcal
Sugar: 18 g
Sodium: 313 mg
Fat: 9 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 26 mg