Pineapple, Ham and Jalapeño Bites

By Ali Slagle

Updated December 3, 2025

Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Monica Pierini.
Ready In
15 min
Rating
5(48)
Comments
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Inspired by Hawaiian pizza, this sweet, salty and spicy appetizer skewers together fatty, soft cured ham with juicy pineapple and the bright kick of pickled jalapeño. Because whole pineapples can vary widely in ripeness, go for the pre-cut, refrigerated chunks if available — they’re typically juicier and sweeter. These three-ingredient bites can start many a meal or party, especially with Champagne, rosé, beer or something stronger like a margarita or gin and tonic. 

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Ingredients

Yield:24 servings

  • 6 slices of prosciutto, serrano ham or speck

  • 24 pickled jalapeño slices

  • 24 (½-inch) pineapple chunks (about 6 ounces)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (24 servings)

4 grams carbs; 3 milligrams cholesterol; 21 calories; 1 gram fiber; 102 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein; 3 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rip each prosciutto slice into 4 pieces. On a toothpick, skewer a pickled jalapeño slice followed by a piece of prosciutto, folding and scrunching it into a piece roughly the size of the pineapple. Then skewer the pineapple. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
48 user ratings
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Comments

Kevin C.

I love this combination. Might add a piece of Havarti, or smoked provolone to the skewer.

ajs

I plated these deconstructed on a thin round of bread smothered with an herbed tomato sauce and some mozzarella cheese. Most of my guests loved it, but the ones who didn't had a hard time letting the others enjoy it, and some of them still go on about it. No matter, at my next dinner party I plan to lean heavily into cilantro-based canapés that everyone can agree on.

Jo

I made this for a cocktail party tonight. It was very well received! Tip: not all Jalapeno slices are easy to skewer, so I ended up wrapping them in the prosciutto, then skewering. I also dusted the whole platter with a bit of Piment d'Ville powder for color, and also sprinkled a bit of the Jalapeno pepper jar liquid on the entire thing.

Mary

So easy to make and a very popular party fare. Perfect combination of flavors.

Trish B

I assembled this app for a Christmas Day buffet. Folks loved it. I used regular toothpicks, because that was what I had on hand. It was very difficult to keep the jalapeños intact. I repeatedly jabbed myself and the jalapeño juice seeped into my "wounds." So, I made it again for a New Year Day event, this time using toothpicks designed for apps, as shown in the recipe photo. It was much easier and equally well received. No injuries and a cleaned plate at both events.

ELS

It's likely nearly impossible to find pickled jalapeños that don't fall apart when skewered, and prosciutto is so thinly sliced that it's hard to work with. Determined, I ended up buying 3 different brands of pickled jalapenos — the Veggie Confetti Pickled Jalapenos from WF were the least mushy, but still not firm enough to be pierced and hold a toothpick. Also, serano and speck held up MUCH better. I added smoked Gouda, as suggested in a comment, but they're still a fail.

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