This might be the tastiest twist on a classic – a burst of sweet pineapple meets a fiery kick in my Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe. It’s like a tropical vacation for your taste buds, ready in under an hour!

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
Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve been making this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe for years now – it’s one of those dishes where the balance of sweet, savory, and spicy just hits all the right notes every time. Plus, it’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to share with friends.

Perfect Balance: The sweetness of pineapple perfectly offsets the heat from the hot sauce, creating a harmony of flavors.
Quick & Easy: Ready in about 40 minutes, making it ideal for busy days or last-minute dinner plans.
Customizable: You can tweak the spice level or protein choices to suit your taste and pantry.
Great Use of Leftover Rice: Using day-old rice means no waste and that perfect crispy texture we all love.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe lies in the combo of fresh ingredients and a sauce that ties everything together with a spicy-sweet punch. Don’t skip the pineapple—even if you’re new to fruit in savory dishes, trust me!

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: Adds the salty, umami richness that’s the backbone of any good fried rice.
Chicken Broth: Gives the dish depth and moistness, better than plain water.
Honey or Brown Sugar: Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness.
Hot Sauce: Brings the “spicy” in this spicy pineapple fried rice recipe; adjust to your heat preference.
Sesame Oil: Optional, but it adds that subtle nutty aroma that makes the dish feel extra special.
Butter & Peanut Oil: Butter for richness and peanut oil for high-heat stir-frying—both essential for flavor and texture.
Ham Steak: Gives savory, meaty bites; feel free to sub shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
White Wine: Not just for sipping—this helps deglaze the pan and adds a subtle fruity note.
Vegetables (Onion, Carrots, Bell Pepper, Garlic): Adds sweetness, crunch, and layers of flavor.
Leftover Rice: Cold, day-old rice is drier and better for frying, giving you that perfect texture.
Pineapple Chunks: The star ingredient! Make sure to drain well to prevent sogginess.
Green Onions & Cashews: For freshness, crunch, and a pop of color.

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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

I like to play around with this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe depending on what’s in my fridge or what mood I’m in. It’s super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Vegetarian Variation: Swap out the ham for extra diced vegetables or tofu. I once made it with roasted cashews only – so good!
Heat Levels: If you love spice, add extra hot sauce or throw in some fresh chopped chilies. If you’re sensitive to spice, start small and taste as you go.
Protein Swap: Leftovers from grilled chicken or shrimp work beautifully here and add another layer of flavor.
Use Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb twist, substitute with cauliflower rice and cook it just a bit longer in the sauce for softness.

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 and Make the Sauce

Before heat meets pan, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger. Set this flavorful mixture aside—it’s the key to tie all the ingredients together. Also, drain the pineapple chunks well and pat them dry with paper towels to keep the rice crispy.

Step 2: Scramble the Eggs

Melt butter over medium-low heat in a nonstick pan, add your beaten eggs, and scramble gently until just cooked through. I like to keep them fluffy and soft—not overdone. Set the eggs aside for now.

Step 3: Sear the Ham and Deglaze

Heat a tablespoon of peanut oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced ham and cook until it starts getting a bit of color, about 3 minutes. Remove the ham and turn off the heat for a moment.

Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan. Use a silicone spatula to scrape up any browned bits—this adds amazing flavor. Let the liquid reduce by half over about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4: Cook the Veggies

Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Then toss in julienned carrots, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes so the veggies stay crisp but tender.

Step 5: Fry the Rice and Add Sauce

Turn the heat to medium-high, add the chilled leftover rice, and pour in your sauce. Toss constantly for 3 minutes, making sure the rice absorbs the sauce but stays separate and doesn’t clump.

Step 6: Finish with Ham, Pineapple & Eggs

Lower the heat to medium and fold in the seared ham, pineapple chunks, and scrambled eggs. Toss everything together gently to warm through without mashing the pineapple. Remove from heat.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Scatter sliced green onions and chopped cashews on top for a fresh crunch and nutty touch. Serve immediately and enjoy that perfect blend of spicy, sweet, and savory in every bite.

Top Tip

From years of perfecting this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe, I’ve learned a few things that make a huge difference. These tips will help you get that restaurant-quality fried rice at home.

Use Day-Old Rice: Freshly cooked rice is too moist and clumps. If you don’t have day-old rice, spread freshly cooked rice on a tray and chill it for a couple hours to dry it out.
Pat Dry Pineapple Chunks: This prevents the rice from getting soggy and keeps that crisp-then-soft texture contrast.
Watch Your Heat: High heat is good for quick frying and flavor development, but keep stirring continuously to avoid burning.
Taste as You Go: Adjust the amount of hot sauce and honey in your sauce to find your perfect spicy-sweet balance. It’s your kitchen, your rules!

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 always top mine with freshly sliced green onions and some crunchy cashews—they add a lively pop of texture and color that makes every bite lively and fun. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra sesame seeds for nuttiness.

Side Dishes

For a full meal, I like pairing this dish with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar or steamed greens like bok choy. Light and refreshing sides balance the rich, spicy fried rice beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive twist, try serving your Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe inside a hollowed-out pineapple shell. It’s a crowd-pleaser at parties and instantly ups the wow factor without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually last me about 3 days. When you reheat, it’s best to do it in a skillet to bring back the crispiness instead of using the microwave alone.

Freezing

This fried rice freezes wonderfully. Just cool it completely before portioning into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop for best results to keep the texture intact.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend tossing leftovers in a hot skillet with a drizzle of oil. Stir continuously until heated through to revive that fresh-from-the-wok flavor and avoid sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Swap ham for extra vegetables or tofu, and replace eggs with crumbled tofu or chickpea scramble. Use soy sauce or tamari and skip the butter for a fully plant-based version.

What type of rice works best for fried rice?

Day-old long grain white rice works best for fried rice because it’s drier and less sticky. If you must use freshly cooked rice, spread it out and cool it to remove excess moisture before frying.

How spicy is this recipe?

The heat level is adjustable—start with a teaspoon of hot sauce and add more if you want extra kick. You can also add fresh chili peppers or chili flakes if you love it fiery.

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, fresh pineapple works great! Just be sure to chop it into small chunks and pat them dry with paper towels to keep the fried rice from getting soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s such a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make. Whether you’re looking for a quick meal or a dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of flavors and textures. I can’t wait for you to try it—you’ll see why I keep coming back for seconds!