Sesame Pineapple Sausage Bites
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Delicious meets simplicity with these pineapple sausage bites. Chunks of caramelized pineapple meld with savory sausage that is coated with a sesame glaze for the perfect bite! They’re savory-sweet, easy, and fun and make for a great party, holiday, or game-day appetizer. Your guests will love them!
These sesame pineapple sausage bites are one of those appetizers that disappear almost as quickly as they’re set on the table. Sweet, juicy pineapple and savory sausage are a natural pairing, and the sticky sesame glaze brings everything together with the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is. A handful of pantry staples transforms everyday ingredients into a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s equally at home at a holiday party, game-day gathering, or summer barbecue. The glaze caramelizes beautifully as it cooks, coating every bite with plenty of flavor.
The ingredient list is refreshingly short. Sausage and pineapple do most of the heavy lifting, while honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and balsamic vinegar create a glossy glaze that’s impossible to resist. A little sriracha adds optional heat, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and cilantro finishes everything off perfectly.
Tips for making pineapple sausage bites
Pineapple and sausage bites are super easy and straightforward to make. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Caramelizing: Letting your sausage brown up and your pineapple caramelize will add loads of flavor! Be sure to flip them while they caramelize so you get the bonus flavor on both sides.
- Pineapple: We find quartering pineapple rings to create the perfect size, but you can also use pineapple chunks in a pinch. If you’re willing to cut up a fresh pineapple, you can certainly do that too, using some of the fresh pineapple juice in the glaze.
- Flavor play: Feel free to play with the flavors for slightly different tastes. Adding a little bit of pepper, garlic, allspice, or ginger to the glaze will create a little bit more depth or add a fun twist.
- Serving: Our recipe provides two serving suggestions – you can either throw everything into a bowl, or serve them on toothpicks!
Make-ahead and store
Can I make these ahead and serve at room temperature? Yes! Just try not to serve them straight out of the fridge because they are not at their best when cold.
How do I store the leftovers? They can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Pineapple Sausage Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 10 ounces Polish sausage (cut into 1-inch slices – see notes)
- 14 ounce can of pineapple rings
- 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon EACH: balsamic vinegar and soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
- Chopped cilantro and sesame seeds (to serve)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring the sausage bites occasionally, until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan.1 teaspoon cooking oil, 10 ounces Polish sausage
- While the sausages are cooking, prepare the glaze. Drain the pineapple juice from the can into a small bowl. Whisk in the honey, sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and (if using) the sriracha.14 ounce can of pineapple rings, 2 tablespoons EACH: honey and sesame oil, 1 tablespoon EACH: balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sriracha
- Cut the pineapple rings into quarters. When the sausage bites come out of the pan, add the pineapple. Cook the pineapple pieces for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly browned and starting to caramelize. Remove the pineapple from the pan.
- Put the sausages back into the pan and pour in the glaze. Bring the pan to a boil and boil rapidly until the glaze thickens enough to coat the sausage bites, about 3-4 minutes.
- Either add the pineapple pieces back into the pan, toss gently, then transfer the sausage bites and pineapple to a bowl to serve, OR skewer one piece of pineapple and one sausage bite on a toothpick and plate on a platter. Sprinkle sesame seeds and a little cilantro on top and serve right away.Chopped cilantro and sesame seeds
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Just made to take to dance. They taste great. I know they will be a hit. Thanks for your recipe.
You’re welcome!
Had this last night when we had company over, EVERYONE was so excited about this appetizer! Thanks for sharing! Happy cooking.
That’s so awesome to hear! Yay!
Can these be made earlier and served at room temperature?
Yes! Just try not to serve them straight out of the fridge because they are not their best when cold.
Hi! I don’t believe Grimm;s is sold at a store near me. Is there another sausage you can recommend that would go well with this appetizer?
Thank you!
I’m not sure about other brands but I if Grimm’s isn’t available where you live I would look for another garlic sausage. 🙂
this looks delicious! I’m such a fan of this blog, everything I have cooked form here so far has been exquisite and my family loved it too! and they are so hard to please!
Do you think it’s an option to leave out the honey – I have so many friends that don’t eat sugar, dairy, etc……
I haven’t tried it without the honey but I suspect it would still turn out great. The pineapple juice has a lot of natural sugars so it should still thicken to a sticky glaze. 🙂