Air Fryer Chicken Pineapple Bites (Print Version)

Tender chicken paired with juicy pineapple, marinated and cooked to a savory crisp bite in minutes.

# Components:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
03 - 1 tablespoon honey
04 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
05 - 1 clove garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
07 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Pineapple

08 - 9 oz fresh pineapple, cut into 1 inch cubes

→ Garnish

09 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
10 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Add chicken cubes and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator for optimal flavor development.
02 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
03 - Thread chicken and pineapple cubes alternately onto small skewers or toothpicks. If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning.
04 - Place skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
05 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until chicken is cooked through and lightly caramelized.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ridiculously quick—marinate while your air fryer preheats, and dinner's ready in less than half an hour.
  • The sweet pineapple and savory glaze create this perfect balance that feels restaurant-quality but tastes like home cooking.
  • They work for literally any occasion, from weeknight hunger to impressing guests without breaking a sweat.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating step entirely—even 10 minutes makes the chicken taste less bland and gives the glaze time to do its job.
  • If your pineapple pieces are much larger than your chicken, they won't cook at the same rate; keeping them evenly sized ensures everything finishes together.
  • Air fryer baskets vary wildly, so start checking at the 10-minute mark rather than assuming 12 minutes is always perfect.
03 -
  • Use thighs instead of breast if you prefer more forgiving, juicier meat—they're harder to dry out and honestly taste richer.
  • Don't crowd your air fryer basket; even if it means cooking in batches, you'll get better browning and more even cooking.
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