Thai Pineapple Fried Rice (Khao Pad Sapparot)
I was super excited to find pineapple for 97 cents at the local grocery. 97 cents is such a steal, and it fit perfectly into my $4.50 a day budget challenge. I was so excited I immediately texted B and my mom and my dad my awesome discovery.
I also text B all my other great finds…like “Hey, gas is $2.90!,” so he’s used to my, uh, appreciation of the small things in life.
Fried rice is super easy and a main medical school staple. It’s the Asian “casserole”for leftovers in the fridge. The trick to fried rice is using OLD rice and cook with high heat (make sure all ingredients are prepared). I made the rookie mistake of using fresh rice the first I tried this and it became a mushy mess. Similarly, don’t go crazy adding sauce because additional liquid makes it mushy. And scramble the eggs ahead of time for the same reason.
Thai fried rice in particular has the fun addition of pineapple. Normally I don’t like cooked fruits (eww, ham and pineapple pizza), but I have always been a huge fan of pineapple fried rice. You can’t beat the style points when you present your dish inside a gorgeous pineapple.


Nerdy fun fact: “Pineapples contain a plant enzyme called bromelain; it breaks down protein, making it a natural meat tenderizer. Bromelain also induce a prickly sensation in the mouth when consumed.
Although the enzyme is in all parts of the pineapple plant, it’s most concentrated in the stem and the core (which is edible, although tougher). Many people believe that letting a pineapple sit overnight helps take away the irritation, but the best way is to cut out the core (source)”
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice (Khao Pad Sapparot)
Ingredients
1 cup pineapple, chopped (save the shell to serve)
3 eggs
3 tablespoons oil
1/2 onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2 cups cooked rice (at least 1 day old)
1 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons curry powder (to taste)
1/2-1 tablespoon paprika (to taste)
1/2-1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
5-6 thai chiles
2 red bell peppers (or any vegetable), diced
1/4 cup cashews, roasted
1 cup cooked chicken pieces
3 green onions, sliced
pepper, to taste
Directions
Halve the pineapple lengthwise and hollow out each half. Cut the pineapple into 1 inch cubes and set aside.
Scramble the eggs with some oil in a wok; remove and set aside in a bowl. Heat oil in a wok with the onion, garlic, and ginger. Stir fry until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked rice to the pan and fry for 2 to 3 minutes over high heat. Add fish sauce, soy sauce, curry, paprika, red pepper, and thai chilies; continue stir frying. Add bell peppers/vegetables, pineapple, cashews, and chicken as well as the scrambled eggs and stir fry until combined and cooked. Adjust spices to taste.
Remove from the heat and fill prepared pineapple with rice for serving. Garnish with green onions.
Great minds think alike haha. I just posted a recipe for fried rice too, but it doesn't look quite as good as this one ;–) The pinneaple addition sounds great, and the presentation is A+++++. Love it!
Do you add the eggs into the mix?
Yes, in the end when scambling. You want to cook the eggs separately to avoid soggy, mushy fried rice!
I agree that cooking the ingredients sepately and then combining them with the fried rice is the best way to make Fried Rice
This fried rice looks delicious! Never thought to use pineapple.
This looks so interesting and tasty. I must try it!!!!
The Thai Pineapple Fried Rice is always a favorite, thanks for the recipe !
Just beautiful! I've never made thai pineapple fried rice but I am going to now!
Omg omg omg. This looks and sounds amazing. I love fried rice. I love Thai spices. I love pineapple. Literally can't go wrong. Lol
My fiancé is Chinese so we are always having different types of fried rice, but I've never tried Thai fried rice before! Love your presentation too, I so need to try this!
I love everything pineapple! Can't wait to try this – and such a cute serving suggestion! Also, $4.50 a day? You're my hero 🙂
I love pineapple fried rice! It's my default order at our favourite Thai fast food place. Can't wait to make it at home.
I usually don't like cooked pineapple (ie pizza) but this is an exception!
Hope you enjoy it!
Glad you enjoy it – it's my favorite kind of fried rice
It's surprisingly easy to make
Thanks 😀 It sounds like a perfect match for you
Thai fried rice is actually my favorite (even over chinese and filipino fried rice) – so hope you both like it!
Yes, I did the food stamp challenge back in medical school! It was definitely tough in Texas, but now would be worse in the Northeast (esp in placed like Boston and NYC where produce is crazy expensive)
Enjoy – it's my guilty pleasure 🙂
You just solved all my homemade fried rice issues!!! Thanks! Plus this recipe looks amazing.
This looks delicious and the presentation is beautiful too!
This looks so good! Love the presentation in the pineapple!
Normally I don't like cooked fruits (eww, ham and pineapple pizza), but I have always been a huge fan of pineapple fried rice.
The Thai Pineapple Fried Rice looks so easy yet delicious, I have to get the Top Electric Griddles and give this recipe a try, This surely is something delicious to have for a meal.
Just made this yesterday – it was SO good!!
This fried rice looks so delicious.