Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice – Flavor-Packed & Easy to Make

This might be the most vibrant, flavor-packed way to enjoy fried rice you'll come across. Loaded with sweet pineapple and a kick of heat, this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe brings a perfect blend of tropical sweetness and bold spice right to your dinner table.

A large silver bowl filled with colorful fried rice mixed with small diced red bell peppers, orange carrot pieces, yellow scrambled egg bits, green chopped spring onions, and light yellow pineapple chunks. There are also scattered light brown cashew nuts and small pink ham cubes throughout. The grains of rice are brownish and look well-cooked with a slight shine. A silver spoon is partly dug into the rice, slightly lifting some of the mix. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe countless times whenever friends come over, and it never fails to impress. The way the spicy and sweet flavors play off each other turns a simple fried rice into something truly special.

Bright & Flavorful: The pineapple adds a burst of freshness and sweetness that balances the heat perfectly.
Quick & Easy: It comes together in about 40 minutes, including prep, making it ideal for weeknights.
Versatile Ingredients: You can easily swap the ham for chicken, shrimp, or keep it vegetarian for your preference.
Perfect texture: Using day-old or well-dried rice ensures you get that ideal crispy fry without mushiness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe is chosen for its role in adding flavor, texture, and color. When you combine pineapple's juicy sweetness with the savory ham and spicy kick, everything comes together just right. Here’s what you need and why each piece matters:

Flat lay of a small mound of long grain white rice, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a few fresh green onions sliced, a small white ceramic bowl with bright yellow pineapple chunks, a small white ceramic bowl with dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with light golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl with amber honey, a small white ceramic bowl with reddish hot sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with light brown sesame oil, a small white ceramic bowl with ground ginger powder, a small white ceramic bowl with light golden peanut oil, a white ceramic plate holding a diced pink ham steak, a whole yellow onion diced, a handful of julienned and roughly chopped orange carrots, a small diced red bell pepper, three cloves of fresh garlic minced, a handful of roughly chopped cashews, a small pat of golden butter placed on a simple white ceramic dish, all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Soy Sauce: Creates the salty umami backbone that soaks into the rice perfectly.
Chicken Broth: Adds a subtle richness and depth to the sauce.
Honey: Balances the spice with a little natural sweetness, complementing the pineapple.
Hot Sauce: Gives that essential spicy heat that wakes up your palate.
Sesame Oil: Optional but adds a fragrant nuttiness.
Ground Ginger: Adds a hint of zesty warmth in the sauce.
Butter and Peanut Oil: Butter for scrambling eggs (adds richness), peanut oil for stir-frying (high smoke point).
Eggs: Scrambled and folded into the rice for protein and creaminess.
Ham Steak: Adds savory meatiness and texture; you can sub chicken or shrimp if you want.
Dry White Wine: Used to deglaze the pan, bringing brightness and complexity.
Yellow Onion: Adds natural sweetness and aroma.
Carrots & Red Bell Pepper: Bring crunch, color, and freshness.
Garlic: Essential for that classic fried rice aromatic punch.
Rice (preferably leftover): Key to getting that perfect fried rice texture; dry and separate grains are a must.
Pineapple Chunks: The star ingredient that makes this dish uniquely tropical and sweet.
Green Onions: Fresh, crunchy garnish with mild onion flavor.
Cashews: Adds crunch and nutty goodness at the end.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe is how forgiving and flexible it is. You can adapt it easily to suit your taste or what’s in your fridge.

Variation: I often swap ham for shrimp when I want a seafood twist – the sweet spiciness pairs beautifully with shrimp, and it cooks fast too.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat and add extra veggies like shredded cabbage or tofu for a wholesome meatless take.
Adjust the spice: Play with the amount of hot sauce or add fresh chopped chili if you prefer it spicier or milder.
Rice options: I’ve even used cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version — just cook it a little less to keep some texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe

A large silver pan filled with fried rice that has several layers: the bottom layer is light brown cooked rice mixed with small orange carrot pieces and green chopped spring onions. The middle layer shows chunks of yellow pineapple and diced pink ham scattered evenly. On top, there are whole light brown cashew nuts spread around. The texture looks mixed and slightly shiny from stir-frying. A shiny silver spoon rests on the right side inside the pan, partially covered by the fried rice. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a white cloth nearby and a few cashew nuts scattered outside the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Sauce & Pineapple

Start by mixing soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger in a bowl. This sauce is the flavor powerhouse. Drain your pineapple chunks well — I like to press them between paper towels to avoid soggy rice later. Prepare the rest of your ingredients so everything is ready to go.

Step 2: Scramble the Eggs Just Right

Melt butter over medium-low heat and pour in whisked eggs. Cook gently, stirring to scramble until just fully set but still moist and fluffy. Remove from pan and set aside. This way, the eggs stay tender in the final dish, preventing them from drying out during stir-fry.

Step 3: Brown the Ham & Deglaze

Heat about 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high. Add diced ham and cook until edges get nicely browned, around 3 minutes. Set ham aside, then pour in the white wine. Use a spatula to scrape all those tasty browned bits from the pan — this adds an incredible depth. Let it reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Sauté Your Veggies

Add diced onions to the sizzling pan and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Toss in the carrots, bell pepper, and garlic, cooking another 2 minutes. This combo keeps a lovely crunch and sweet aroma that works wonders in the base of your fried rice.

Step 5: Fry the Rice with Sauce

Add your chilled rice and pour in the sauce you prepared. Turn the heat up to medium-high and toss everything continuously for about 3 minutes so the rice soaks up the sauce evenly without becoming soggy. This step is crucial to get those separate grains infused with bold flavor.

Step 6: Combine & Finish

Lower heat to medium and add the ham, pineapple chunks, and scrambled eggs back into the pan. Toss gently to heat through and coat everything evenly. Remove from heat and sprinkle with sliced green onions and chopped cashews for fresh crunch and flavor contrast.

Top Tip

From cooking this recipe multiple times, I’ve learned small tweaks can make all the difference between good and amazing fried rice.

Use leftover or well-cooled rice: Fresh rice tends to be too soft and mushy. If you must use freshly cooked, spread it on a tray to dry for a bit before frying.
Don’t overcrowd your pan: A wide skillet helps everything cook evenly and quickly without steaming.
Drain pineapple well: Excess moisture ruins that crispy, slightly fried texture you want.
Toss continuously: Keeps rice from sticking and ensures every grain gets coated with sauce.

How to Serve Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe

The image shows two pans on a white marbled surface, each with food inside. The pan on the left contains a single layer of bright yellow scrambled egg pieces, scattered but mostly centered on the shiny silver pan. The pan on the right contains a single layer of small, evenly cut pink ham cubes spread across the bottom of a similar shiny silver pan with some browned bits visible on the surface. Both pans are seen from above. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping this rice with extra green onions and chopped toasted cashews for crunch and freshness. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lime for brightness or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to amp the tropical vibe even more.

Side Dishes

This dish goes wonderfully with simple cucumber salad or even a quick stir-fried vegetable medley for an easy, balanced meal. If you want extra protein, grilled chicken or shrimp skewers are great alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or special dinners, I like to hollow out a pineapple half and serve the fried rice inside it. It adds wow factor and lets everyone enjoy that extra pineapple aroma while eating.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps well for up to 3 days. Just be sure to let it cool completely before sealing to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

This fried rice freezes well! I portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it can stay good for 2 to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in a hot skillet with a splash of water or broth to revive moisture and crisp up the rice again. Microwaving works but can make it softer, so I reserve that for emergencies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh rice instead of leftover rice?

You can use fresh rice, but it’s best to cook it ahead and let it cool completely, ideally refrigerated overnight. Freshly cooked hot rice tends to clump and can make your fried rice mushy instead of crispy.

What can I substitute for ham in this recipe?

You can easily swap ham for cooked chicken, shrimp, tofu, or keep it vegetarian by adding more veggies or nuts. The key is to pick something that adds texture and protein.

How can I make this dish spicier or milder?

Adjust the hot sauce amount to taste. For more heat, add fresh chopped chilies or a dash of chili flakes. To tone it down, simply reduce or omit the hot sauce.

Why is it important to drain the pineapple?

Excess moisture from canned pineapple can make your fried rice soggy and prevent that desirable crispy texture. Draining and patting the pineapple dry keeps the dish perfectly textured.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe is one of those dishes I’ve come to cherish for both its simplicity and complexity of flavor. It combines comfort with a playful twist, perfect for impressing friends or just treating yourself on a casual night. I’m excited for you to try it because once you get the hang of balancing those sweet and spicy notes, you’ll be reaching for it again and again — trust me, it’s that good!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way