Name: Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: ¼ cup soy sauce; ¼ cup chicken broth; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon hot sauce; ½ teaspoon sesame oil (optional); 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 eggs; 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided; 1 (8 oz.) ham steak, diced (about 1 heaping cup); ⅓ cup dry white wine; 1 yellow onion, diced; ¾ cup carrots, julienned and roughly chopped; 1 small red bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 cups leftover cooked rice; 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained (about 1.5 cups); 2 green onions, sliced; ⅓ cup cashews, roughly chopped

This might be the richest flavor combo you'll find in a weeknight meal — sweet, spicy, and savory dancing together perfectly in this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe. It's one of those dishes that feels like a treat but comes together quicker than you’d expect!

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 cooking up versions of this pineapple fried rice for years, and what keeps me coming back is the beautiful balance between spicy heat and tropical sweetness. Plus, it’s a seriously satisfying one-pan meal that you can tweak endlessly depending on what you have on hand.

Bright and bold flavors: The pineapple chunks add juicy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the spicy kick from the hot sauce.
Quick and easy: From prep to plate in about 40 minutes, it’s great for busy weeknights without compromising on taste.
Flexible ingredients: You can swap proteins or even go vegetarian, so it fits your dietary needs effortlessly.
Perfectly textured rice: Using leftover or well-prepared rice ensures that nice, slightly crispy bite we all crave in fried rice dishes.

Ingredients & Why They Work

There’s something special about each element in this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe. The sweet pineapple balances the soy and hot sauce flavors, while the ham adds a smoky, savory note. I’ve learned over time how each ingredient plays a role in building that amazing flavor profile.

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 salty, umami depth that’s key for the fried rice sauce.
Chicken broth: Provides richness and moisture, replacing water for better flavor.
Honey: Balances heat with a touch of natural sweetness.
Hot sauce: Kicks up the spice level—adjust based on your heat tolerance.
Sesame oil: Optional, but it lends that nutty aroma and subtle richness.
Ground ginger: Warms the dish lightly and complements the garlic.
Butter: For scrambling the eggs, giving them a rich, creamy texture.
Eggs: Add that classic fried rice protein and fluffiness.
Peanut oil: Great for high-heat frying without smoking.
Ham steak: Brings smoky meatiness—feel free to swap in chicken or shrimp.
Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the stir-fry base.
Yellow onion, carrots, red bell pepper, garlic: Loaded with flavor and texture for classic stir-fry vibes.
Leftover rice: The star of the show—day-old rice is best for getting that ideal crispy texture.
Pineapple chunks: Juicy, sweet bursts that make this dish truly stand out.
Green onions: Freshness and a slight bite to finish things off.
Cashews: Crunchy texture contrast and a touch of buttery flavor.

📝

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 always love tweaking the protein in this Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe to keep it fresh. For instance, swapping ham for shrimp creates a lighter, more summery dish that’s been a huge hit in my family.

Variation: When I want something vegetarian, I skip the meat entirely and toss in extra cashews and a handful of shredded cabbage for bulk and texture—it's surprisingly satisfying!

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 and Pineapple

Start by whisking together the soy sauce, chicken broth, honey, hot sauce, sesame oil, and ground ginger in a small bowl. This sauce sets the flavor base, so mixing it ahead saves you time later. Drain your pineapple well and pat dry with paper towels—this little step is key to keeping your fried rice crisp and not soggy.

Step 2: Scramble the Eggs

Melt butter over medium-low heat in a nonstick skillet, then add whisked eggs. Stir gently until they’re just set but still tender. Remove and set aside—these fluffy eggs add richness and texture without overpowering the other ingredients.

Step 3: Cook the Ham and Build the Flavor

Heat a tablespoon of peanut oil over medium-high heat in a wide skillet or wok, then toss in diced ham. Let it brown and get a bit crispy for about 3 minutes, then set it aside. Lower the heat to medium and pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty browned bits. Let it reduce by half—this is a game-changer for flavor!

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

Add onions and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened, then stir in carrots, red bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté everything for 2 more minutes until fragrant and tender but still bright. This vegetable base is where your dish starts to come alive.

Step 5: Toss in the Rice and Sauce

Turn the heat up to medium-high, then add your cold leftover rice along with the prepared sauce. Toss constantly for about 3 minutes so the rice absorbs all the flavors and heats through evenly. This steady stirring helps prevent clumps and keeps the rice nice and fluffy.

Step 6: Finish with Ham, Pineapple, and Eggs

Reduce heat to medium, add the ham, pineapple chunks, and scrambled eggs. Toss everything together gently just to warm through without mashing the pineapple too much. Once everything's combined, remove from heat, sprinkle with sliced green onions and chopped cashews, then serve right away!

Top Tip

Through cooking this spicy pineapple fried rice recipe a dozen times, I’ve uncovered a few key tricks that make all the difference between ‘just good’ and ‘wow, you made this?!’:

Cold rice is your friend: Always use leftover or day-old rice because freshly cooked rice has too much moisture—it won’t fry up crispy and golden.
Drain the pineapple well: Excess juice can make your rice mushy. Pat it dry on paper towels before adding.
High heat and constant tossing: This helps to evaporate moisture quickly and evenly fry the rice without it sticking.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Use the biggest skillet you have for even cooking; overcrowding will steam the rice instead of frying it.

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 personally love adding extra chopped green onions and a handful of cashews right before serving. The green onions add a fresh crunch and a burst of flavor, while the cashews give a satisfying nutty texture I crave. Sometimes, I sprinkle a few extra chili flakes on top if I’m feeling fiery!

Side Dishes

When I make this dish, I usually keep it simple with steamed veggies or a light cucumber salad on the side to balance the bold, spicy flavors. It also pairs wonderfully with crispy spring rolls or a quick miso soup if you want to go full Asian-inspired.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I sometimes serve the fried rice in hollowed-out pineapple halves—totally tropical and colorful for a dinner party. It looks stunning and is a fun way to bring a little flair to your table. Plus, kids love it!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they usually last up to 3 days. Just make sure to cool the rice completely before sealing to keep everything fresh and tasty.

Freezing

This dish freezes quite well. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and enjoy it later whenever I need a quick, flavorful lunch or dinner. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer tossing the rice back in a hot skillet with a small splash of oil or water. This helps revive its texture and keeps it from drying out. Microwave works too—just cover loosely to trap steam.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh rice instead of leftover rice for this recipe?

Freshly cooked rice tends to have too much moisture, which can make your fried rice mushy. If you must use fresh rice, spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and dry for a couple of hours before frying. Day-old or leftover rice works best for achieving that perfect crispy texture.

How spicy is the Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe?

The heat level depends on how much hot sauce you add. The recipe calls for one teaspoon, which gives a medium-level kick, but feel free to adjust the amount up or down to suit your taste buds. You can always add more after tasting!

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the ham and eggs, and add extra vegetables like shredded cabbage, bell peppers, or tofu for protein. You can also use a vegan soy sauce and substitute butter with plant-based oils. This makes a delicious vegan-friendly Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice that doesn't miss out on flavor.

What kind of pineapple should I use for best results?

Canned pineapple chunks are ideal for convenience and consistent sweetness, but fresh pineapple can work too—for fresh, just cut it into bite-sized pieces and be sure to drain and pat dry well to keep the rice from getting soggy.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe holds a special place in my recipe rotation because it’s such a joy to make and share. The layers of flavor and contrasting textures always impress family and guests alike. I hope you give it a try soon—you might just find it becomes one of your quick weeknight favorites, too!