Description
Delight your guests with these Pineapple Hasselback Kielbasa Bites, a perfect party appetizer featuring juicy kielbasa slices paired with sweet pineapple chunks and a rich molasses-brown sugar glaze. These flavorful bites can be cooked quickly in an air fryer or baked in the oven for a caramelized, savory-sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 rings (13.9 ounces each) Kielbasa
Fruit
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, ½ cup juice reserved, drained
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Slice the Kielbasa: Place each kielbasa ring between two chopsticks or skewers to prevent slicing all the way through. Using a sharp knife, cut ¼-inch deep slices about two-thirds down the sausage, creating the characteristic hasselback effect.
- Cut into Bites: Slice the hasselback kielbasa crosswise into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, yielding approximately 20 pieces per ring, or 40 total.
- Combine Kielbasa and Pineapple: In a large bowl, add the kielbasa bites and pineapple chunks.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the reserved ½ cup of pineapple juice, molasses, and light brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
- Toss with Sauce: Pour the sauce over the kielbasa and pineapple mixture. Gently toss to coat all pieces evenly in the flavorful glaze.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F to preheat while you prepare the basket.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the kielbasa bites and pineapple in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Air Fry: Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and heating.
- Oven Alternative: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange for Baking: Spread the kielbasa bites and pineapple evenly on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the kielbasa is browned and heated thoroughly.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the cooked kielbasa bites to a serving platter, optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve warm to enjoy.
Notes
- Using the chopstick method prevents cutting all the way through the kielbasa, maintaining the bite-size pieces intact.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, baking in the oven is a great alternative, just expect a longer cook time.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the sauce by adding more or less brown sugar and molasses according to taste.
- Fresh parsley garnish adds a nice color contrast and fresh herbal note but can be omitted if preferred.
- Make sure to drain the pineapple chunks well to prevent excess moisture during cooking.
- Work in batches in the air fryer to avoid overcrowding, which can cause uneven cooking.
