Air Fryer Pineapple Cornbread - Moist Sweet Quick Bread

Prep: 10 minCook: 20 min6 servingsmediumAmerican
Air Fryer Pineapple Cornbread - Moist Sweet Quick Bread

Sweet cornbread enhanced with juicy crushed pineapple pieces creates a tender, moist quick bread with tropical flair. The air fryer produces a golden crust while keeping the interior perfectly soft and cake-like. This crowd-pleasing side pairs beautifully with barbecue, chili, or fried chicken, and makes an excellent breakfast or snack. The pineapple adds natural sweetness and keeps the cornbread from drying out, while the faster air fryer cooking time means fresh cornbread in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sugar
    honey3/4 rationatural

    Use 1/3 cup honey, reduce milk slightly

    Full guide →
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 can crushed pineapple, drained (8 oz)
  • ½ cup milk
    buttermilk1:1tang

    Adds slight tang and extra tenderness

    Full guide →
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    melted butter1:1flavoradds dairy

    Richer taste

    Full guide →
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat the air fryer to 350°F

  2. 2

    Mix together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl

  3. 3

    Add the drained crushed pineapple, milk, vegetable oil, and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined

  4. 4

    Pour the batter into a greased air fryer-safe pan

  5. 5

    Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean

  6. 6

    Let the cornbread cool before slicing and serving

Tips

Tip 1

Drain the pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making the cornbread soggy.

Tip 2

Don't overmix the batter - stir just until ingredients are combined to keep the texture tender.

Tip 3

Grease the pan well or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking in the air fryer.

Good to Know

Storage

Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Make Ahead

Can be made 1 day ahead and stored covered. Reheat briefly in air fryer if desired.

Serve With

Serve warm or at room temperature with butter, honey, or as a side to savory dishes.

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip draining the pineapple to avoid soggy cornbread.

Watch

Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense texture.

Substitutions

vegetable oil
melted butter1:1flavoradds dairy

Richer taste

Full guide →
milk
buttermilk1:1tang

Adds slight tang and extra tenderness

Full guide →
sugar
honey3/4 rationatural

Use 1/3 cup honey, reduce milk slightly

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?

Yes, use 3/4 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple. Pat dry with paper towels before adding to remove excess moisture.

What size air fryer pan should I use?

Use a 6-7 inch round or square pan that fits your air fryer basket with space for air circulation.

How long will this cornbread keep?

Store covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freeze for up to 3 months.