Pineapple Sorbet
Pineapple sorbet is a light, refreshing tropical dessert that’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. You only need four ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep to make this sorbet ice cream treat. Grab a fresh pineapple and make this pineapple sorbet recipe today!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this sorbet recipe:
- This sorbet is made with fresh fruit for vibrant flavor.
- It’s healthier than most desserts, because their is no dairy, gluten, or artificial anything.
- It makes a whole quart (or more) of the best fruit sorbet.
- You’ll need only four ingredients (and one of them is WATER).
- It’s easy to make and only takes a few minutes of hands on prep.
- This recipe uses an ice cream maker for a creamy fruit sorbet that’s ready to eat right from the canister.
- Kids love it.
Ingredients
- Fresh Pineapple Chunks – Look for a pineapple that’s 2-3 pounds and has a green skin (the greener the skin the more recent it was picked and the sweeter and juicier it will be).
- Lime Juice – Gives the pineapple sorbet greater dimension.
- Sugar – plain granulated sugar
- Water – you know, from the tap.
How to make sorbet recipe with an ice cream maker
- Make sure the canister for your ice cream maker has been frozen overnight or according to your manufacturer’s instructions. (I use a Cuisinart ice cream maker for this sorbet recipe).
- Mix the sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat through until the sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Trim the top and bottom from the pineapple and use a sharp knife to remove the prickly skin. Cut the pineapple into quarters and trim away the core. Then cut the fruit into large chunks and transfer to a blender or food processor.
- Add the simple syrup and lime juice to the pineapple and cover with the lid. Blend or process until all of the fruit has been pureed.
- Pour the puree into a bowl, cover and refrigerate. Chill the pineapple puree for at least several hours until it’s very cold.
- Transfer the pineapple mixture to the canister of the ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. (Usually a sorbet recipe takes about 20-25 minutes in the ice cream maker).
- Transfer the pineapple sorbet to a freezer-safe container (preferably one with a tight fitting lid) and freeze for several hours for a firmer texture.
Note: Immediately after churning the fruit sorbet will have the consistency of soft serve ice cream and it’s delicious that way, so feel free to serve it straight from the machine.
Variations:
- If you don’t have limes, you can substitute lemon juice.
- Add a combination of tropical fruits, like mango, banana, guava or soursop to the pineapple mixture.
- Mix in a shot (about two tablespoons) of golden rum to the pineapple. The alcohol impedes freezing, making it a little easier to scoop, even after a night in the freezer.
- Add other types of flavored alcohols (about 2 tablespoons) to give the pineapple sorbet more depth. Anything from coconut rum or Cointreau or other fruity liqueurs would work.
- If you’re not a stickler against corn syrup, you can swap two tablespoons for simple syrup. Corn syrup adds a creamier texture and mouth feel to homemade sorbets.
Pro-Tips
Taste the pineapple puree before churning the sorbet to ensure it’s sweet enough.
With frozen treats, flavors and sweetness are dulled because of the temperature. If it needs more sweetness, (this is usually dependent on how sweet the fruit is at the onset), you can add more simple syrup or another sweetener (maple syrup, honey, agave).
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If the pineapple sorbet has frozen overnight, let it rest on the counter for about 10 minutes before scooping. That slight thaw will give the sorbet a creamier mouth-feel.
FAQ’s
Fruits that have a lot of fiber (like pineapple) and fruits with high pectin content (berries, bananas, mango, etc) have body and viscosity that lends itself well to sorbets, giving them an almost ice cream like texture.
Yes. It doesn’t have the dairy or fat that you’ll find in premium ice cream, therefore it’s lower in both fat and calories. Sorbet is lighter with 150-200 calories per serving whereas ice cream can have upwards of 250 to 300 calories and 10-13 grams of fat per serving.
No. Sorbet doesn’t contain any dairy.
Sorbet is made primarily of fresh fruit and a sweetneing agent like sugar, simple syrup, honey or agave. Ice cream usually starts with a custard base made from eggs, milk and cream.
Yes you can. You’ll need about 5 cups of fruit.
What to serve with sorbet
- We like a scoop of this refreshing sorbet with a scoop of fresh berries like raspberries, strawberries or blueberries.
- Fill a glass with 2 scoops of sorbet and pour a bit of Sprite or lemon-lime soda over it for a fizzy float.
- This is really good with a slice of pound cake or sponge cake and a scoop of supremed oranges.
More frozen treats you’ll love:
- Pineapple Mango Sorbet
- Strawberry Margarita Ice Pops
- Mango Colada Popsicles
- Key Lime Ice Cream with Blueberry Swirl
- Guava Sherbet
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Pineapple Sorbet
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 2-3 pound ripe pineapple
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
DIRECTIONS:
FOR SIMPLE SYRUP:
- In a small saucepan add the sugar and water. Heat to boiling and stir until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
FOR PINEAPPLE SORBET:
- Trim the pineapple top and bottom. Cut away the prickly skin, slice the pineapple into quarters, vertically. Cut away the core and discard.
- Cut the pineapple flesh into chunks and transfer them to a heavy duty blender or food processor (like a VitaMix).
- Add the simple syrup and lime juice. Puree or blend until smooth.
- Refrigerate the pineapple mixture until well chilled (about 2 hours).
- Churn according to your ice cream maker's instructions. I used a Cuisinart ice cream maker and it took about 20-25 minutes.
CHILLING THE SORBET:
- Sorbet will be soft, but ready to eat. For firmer sorbet, transfer to a freezer safe container and freeze until firm, at least two hours.
NUTRITION:
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Very refreshing pineapple flavor. We liked it best straight from the ice cream maker.
This looks amazing! I love pineapple and I want some!
I am with you – pineapple tastes completely different when you get it right off the plant. So do oranges. This recipe is so refreshingly delicious.
This sounds super refreshing! I need to make it!
Wow! What great fun! Fresh fruit is always better but I always let the ones I buy in upstate Ny (old) to sit on the counter until it’s yellow! What a great opportunity for you! Fun post!
Thanks, Beth — try the pineapple when it’s green — and make sure it’s from Costa Rica!
Wow what an interesting read on pineapples. I have learned so much from your post. This sorbet is my kind of summer dessert – with the freshest ingredients. Delicious!
Thanks, Ali — I hope you enjoy the sorbet!
This looks so refreshing and delicious. Which is what most of us need around here with this heat. So summer sorbet perfection… yes, I think so!
Thank you Meg! This is a good one — and very easy to make!