Hawaiian Pineapple & Ham Shish Kebabs

Name: Hawaiian Pineapple & Ham Shish Kebabs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 Pineapple (small, peeled, cored, and chopped); 1 lb Loin ham; 1/3 cup Barbecue sauce

5 / 5 ( 3 Reviews )

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Enjoy a sweet and savory easy dinner with this Hawaiian Pineapple & Ham Shish Kebabs recipe. So simple, yet absolutely delectable.

Cathy Yoder Published on April 6, 2026 The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the full disclosure

Air Fryer Hawaiian Pineapple and Ham Shish Kebabs

Air fryer Hawaiian pineapple and ham shish kebabs cooked and glazed with barbecue sauce

These Air Fryer Hawaiian Pineapple and Ham Shish Kebabs are one of those easy recipes that feels fun enough for a party but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. With just pineapple, ham, and barbecue sauce, you get that sweet-and-savory combo that always works.

This is a great recipe to make when you want something fast, flavorful, and a little different from the usual dinner routine. You can serve these ham and pineapple skewers as an easy appetizer, a light meal, or a simple addition to a summer-style spread. And if you don’t want to bother with skewers, you can toss everything right into the air fryer basket and cook it the same way.

If you’re new to air frying, also check out our video on what to make first in your new air fryer.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Ham and Pineapple Recipe

There’s a lot to love about this recipe:

It uses just 3 simple ingredients.
The sweet pineapple and savory ham balance each other perfectly.
It works as an easy appetizer or quick dinner.
You can make it with or without skewers.
The air fryer gives the edges a lightly caramelized finish in minutes.

Ingredients and Supplies for Hawaiian Pineapple and Ham Shish Kebabs

Ingredients for Hawaiian pineapple and ham skewers including pineapple ham and barbecue sauce

Ingredients

Pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into bite-sized chunks
Loin ham
Barbecue sauce

Supplies

Knife
Cutting board
Large mixing bowl
Skewers
Air fryer (Cosori Pro II)

What Kind of Ham Works Best?

If you can find loin ham, it works great here because it’s meaty, easy to cube, and holds up well in the air fryer. But don’t worry if your store doesn’t carry it.

You can also use ham steaks or almost any other boneless precooked ham. Just cut it into pieces that are close in size to your pineapple chunks so everything cooks evenly and is easy to thread onto skewers.

Close-up vertical image of barbecue pineapple and ham appetizer pieces ready for the air fryer

Do You Have to Use Skewers?

Nope! Skewers make these look a little more party-ready, but they are absolutely optional. If you’d rather skip that step, just toss the ham and pineapple with the barbecue sauce and spread everything in the air fryer basket in a mostly even layer.

That means this recipe works whether you want a fun kabob-style appetizer or just a quick air fryer ham and pineapple bowl to spoon onto plates.

How to Make Air Fryer Hawaiian Pineapple and Ham Shish Kebabs

Step 1: Prep the ingredients

Cut the pineapple and ham into bite-sized chunks. Try to keep the pieces fairly uniform so they cook evenly.

Step 2: Assemble the skewers

Ham and pineapple pieces threaded onto skewers for the air fryer

Thread the pineapple and ham onto skewers, alternating pieces as you go. Then brush or baste everything generously with barbecue sauce.

Barbecue sauce brushed over pineapple and ham skewers before cooking

If you’re skipping skewers, place the chopped ham and pineapple in a large mixing bowl, add the barbecue sauce, and toss until evenly coated.

Step 3: Air fry until hot and caramelized

Pineapple and ham skewers arranged inside the air fryer basket

Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, leaving a little room between each one so the hot air can circulate well.

Sauced ham and pineapple pieces spread in the air fryer basket without skewers

If you skipped the skewers, spread the saucy pineapple and ham chunks in the basket in an even layer.

Finished Hawaiian pineapple and ham skewers cooked in the air fryer

Air fry at 400°F / 200°C for 7–10 minutes, or until the ham is heated through, the sauce is sticky, and the edges of the pineapple are lightly caramelized.

Tips for the Best Ham and Pineapple Skewers

Cut evenly: Similar-sized pieces help everything cook at the same pace.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Leave some room so the edges can brown instead of steam.
Use a thicker barbecue sauce: It clings better to the ham and pineapple.
Watch the last few minutes: Pineapple sugars can caramelize quickly.
Serve right away: These are best hot, when the sauce is glossy and the edges are lightly crisped.

What to Serve with Hawaiian Ham Skewers

These shish kebabs are easy to serve on their own, but they also pair well with other appetizers if you’re building a snacky dinner or party spread.

Easy Appetizer Recipes

Air fryer Hawaiian pineapple and ham skewers served and ready to eat

Final Thoughts on These Air Fryer Hawaiian Skewers

If you need an easy appetizer or a quick dinner that feels a little more fun than the usual routine, these Air Fryer Hawaiian Pineapple and Ham Shish Kebabs are a great pick. They’re sweet, savory, simple, and made with just a few ingredients you can prep fast.

They also give you flexibility. Use skewers for a fun presentation, or skip them entirely for an even easier version. Either way, this is one of those easy air fryer recipes that earns a repeat spot in your meal rotation.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Try

Vertical serving image of Hawaiian pineapple and ham appetizer cooked in the air fryer

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