Group · Fruit
Candied pineapple
Candied pineapple is a treat made by soaking pieces of pineapple in increasingly concentrated sugar syrups until the flesh is completely infused. The result: translucent, glossy cubes or slices, intensely sweet and soft. It is found in cakes, panettones, financiers, confectionery or simply nibbled as it is. Very different from fresh pineapple, it belongs to the category of candied fruits, which are rich in added sugars. With around 316 kcal and 72.4 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, it is a very energy-dense food, to be enjoyed as an occasional sweet treat rather than as a daily source of fruit. Its appeal is above all culinary and for pleasure.
Macronutrient breakdown
Nutrition table per 100 g
| Calories | 297 kcal |
| Kilojoules | 1260 kJ |
| Protein | 0,3 g |
| Carbohydrate | 72,4 g |
| Fat | 0,1 g |
| Fibre | 3,3 g |
Micronutrients per 100 g
All measured nutrients, ranked by share of the daily reference intake.
- Calcium71 mg9 %
- Copper0,04 mg4 %
- Vitamin E0,41 mg3 %
- Potassium40 mg2 %
- Iron0,27 mg2 %
- Manganese0,03 mg2 %
- Magnesium4,7 mg1 %
- Phosphorus5,8 mg1 %
See the other 2 nutrients
- Vitamin B50,01 mg0 %
- Vitamin A0,49 µg0 %
Anses Ciqual 2025. Source: Anses, 2025, Ciqual food composition table
Tips
Candied pineapple is delicious but concentrated in sugar: it is best thought of as a sweet. A sensible portion is around 15 to 20 g, a few cubes, to flavour a bake or go with a coffee. Its nutritional values speak for themselves: 72.4 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, almost entirely sugars, against only 3.3 g of fibre. Its glycaemic index is therefore high, and its vitamin content is very low compared with the original fruit, the syrup having replaced much of the water and nutrients.
- Culinary uses: fold it into a fruit cake, a Breton far, cookies, homemade ice cream or homemade energy bars. Finely chopped, it also elevates a plain yoghurt or a fromage blanc.
- Pairings: it goes well with coconut, citrus fruits, rum or dark chocolate. A pinch of cinnamon balances its sugar.
- Storage: keep it in an airtight box, away from moisture and light. It keeps for several months thanks to its high sugar content.
If you want the nutritional value of a real fruit, favour fresh pineapple, far lower in calories and richer in vitamin C, or tinned pineapple chunks for a practical compromise. You can compare these options in our fruit family and in the food calorie table.
For active people: candied pineapple provides fast carbohydrates that are easy to carry, useful during prolonged endurance effort (trail running, cycling, hiking) when you need an immediate energy boost. A few cubes in a pocket can help out in the field. For a recovery snack, however, it is better to pair these sugars with a source of protein: think of fresh fruit with a balanced protein snack rather than candied fruit alone, which is not very filling.
Weight control: with its very high calorie density, candied pineapple can quickly raise your sugar intake without any real feeling of fullness, since it lacks fibre. If you are trying to lose weight or follow a balanced diet, keep it for occasions and limit quantities. Read labels carefully: some products contain glucose syrups and colourings. Enjoyed in moderation, it remains an indulgent pleasure that has no place every day, but poses no problem now and then.