Pineapple Bake – A Buttery Sweet & Savory Southern Favorite
If you’ve never had a Southern Pineapple Bake, you’re in for a treat that’s as surprising as it is delicious. It’s a dish that defies categories — part side dish, part dessert, and 100% comfort food.
Made with simple ingredients like canned pineapple, eggs, butter, sugar, and crushed crackers, this golden bake is a Southern staple often served at holiday tables, Easter brunches, or family reunions. The combination of sweet pineapple and buttery cracker topping creates an irresistible contrast that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
💛 What Is Pineapple Bake?
Pineapple Bake — also known as Pineapple Casserole or Baked Pineapple Pudding — is a vintage Southern recipe that first became popular in the mid-1900s. It’s a unique blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, often served alongside baked ham, turkey, or fried chicken.
Traditionally, it uses canned pineapple chunks or crushed pineapple mixed with butter, sugar, and eggs, then topped with crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs for a crisp, caramelized finish.
It sounds unusual at first, but the balance of textures and flavors is pure magic — rich and buttery, yet fruity and bright.
Think of it like the perfect bridge between side dish and dessert — a golden, spoonable delight that brightens any meal.
🍴 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🍍 Bursting with flavor: Sweet pineapple and buttery topping create an unforgettable combination.
- ⏱️ Quick to make: Only 10 minutes of prep time before it goes into the oven.
- 💛 Perfect for holidays: A must-have beside ham at Easter or Thanksgiving.
- 🧈 Simple ingredients: Everything you need is likely already in your pantry.
- 🥄 Versatile: Serve it as a side, brunch dish, or dessert!
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 2 tablespoons juice)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed (about 1 cup crumbs)
Optional Add-Ins
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon – for a subtle warmth
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese – for the classic Southern “sweet & cheesy” twist
- ¼ cup brown sugar – to enhance caramelization on top
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
Step 2 – Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pineapple, sugar, eggs, flour, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until evenly blended.
Step 3 – Add Optional Ingredients
If you want a savory twist, fold in shredded cheddar cheese or a pinch of cinnamon. Both add depth and complement the pineapple beautifully.
Step 4 – Pour into Baking Dish
Spread the pineapple mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
Step 5 – Add Cracker Topping
In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with 2 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice and a drizzle of melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
Step 6 – Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
Step 7 – Cool Slightly and Serve
Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm as a side dish or dessert.
Pineapple Bake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix pineapple, sugar, eggs, flour, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Spread mixture evenly into baking dish.
- Combine crushed crackers with 2 tbsp pineapple juice and extra butter. Sprinkle on top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes until golden and bubbling. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
This dish shines in just about any setting:
- As a side dish next to baked ham, roasted turkey, or fried chicken.
- On your holiday buffet for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas.
- Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
- As part of a Southern brunch spread with biscuits and fruit salad.
That balance of buttery richness and pineapple sweetness pairs perfectly with savory entrées — and makes it the unexpected hit of every meal.
🧈 Tips for the Perfect Pineapple Bake
- Drain pineapple well: Too much juice can make the bake runny. Save just a few tablespoons for the topping.
- Don’t overmix: Stir ingredients until just combined to keep a tender texture.
- Crush crackers right before topping: Keeps the crumb layer crisp and golden.
- For extra crunch: Broil the casserole for 1–2 minutes at the end — but watch carefully!
- Make it ahead: Assemble the base mixture up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Add topping and bake before serving.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm individual portions in the microwave or reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10–15 minutes.
- Freeze: You can freeze baked casserole (without topping) for up to 1 month. Add fresh topping when reheating.
🍍 Fun Facts
- Pineapple became a Southern hospitality symbol in the 1800s, representing warmth and welcome.
- The dish was inspired by 1950s church cookbooks that blended pantry staples into quick comfort foods.
- Ritz crackers were a later addition — their buttery flavor replaced traditional breadcrumbs for an even richer finish.
💬 Christy’s Kitchen Note
“The first time I had Pineapple Bake was at a small-town Georgia potluck, and I thought someone had mistaken dessert for dinner! But one bite in, I was hooked. The buttery topping, the caramelized pineapple, and that subtle hint of vanilla — it’s comfort food perfection.”
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 360
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Sugar: 32g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
💡 Variations You’ll Love
- Pineapple Cheese Bake: Add ½ cup shredded cheddar for a sweet-and-savory holiday side.
- Coconut Pineapple Bake: Stir in ¼ cup shredded coconut for a tropical touch.
- Brown Sugar Caramel Top: Replace some white sugar with brown sugar for deeper flavor.
- Mini Bakes: Spoon into ramekins and bake individually for portion control and presentation.
❤️ Why It’s a Must-Make
Pineapple Bake is one of those dishes that bridges generations — found in old church cookbooks, passed down on recipe cards, and still delighting families today.
It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. Just a few pantry staples, a bit of Southern charm, and you’ve got a dish that’s perfect from weeknight to holiday feast.
Serve it once, and you’ll see why this sweet, buttery casserole has been a Southern favorite for decades.
