When the weather heats up, cool down with this refreshing pineapple granita. Though it originated in Sicily, you can easily make it at home with simple ingredients and no special equipment.

We recently experimented with frozen treats — from cinnamon ice cream to baklava ice cream sandwiches — and the next stop was semi-frozen desserts. Granita is one of the easiest: a close relative of sorbet, it’s simply fruit, sugar and water turned into a flaky, icy dessert.
No ice cream maker required. Puree the fruit with a light sugar syrup, pour into a shallow pan, freeze until firm and scrape with a fork to create the signature crystalline texture.

It’s the perfect palate cleanser and a delightful end to any summer meal. I served this pineapple-and-lime granita at a recent dinner party during a heatwave, and it was an instant hit.
The bright acidity of lime balances the sweetness of pineapple, producing a silky, aromatic dessert that’s light on the palate. For adults, a splash of vodka or light rum can add a boozy twist — just don’t serve alcohol to children.

📖 Recipe
Pineapple Granita Recipe
10 mins
10 mins
4 hrs
4 hrs 20 mins
4
Italian
Peter G
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ½ pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped into chunks
- ½ cup sugar, caster or superfine
- ½ lime, juiced
Instructions
-
Make a light sugar syrup by combining the sugar and water in a saucepan over low–medium heat. Do not stir; let the sugar dissolve gently. Remove from heat and cool completely.
-
Place the cooled syrup, pineapple pieces and lime juice in a food processor and puree until smooth.
-
Pour the mixture into a shallow baking pan (about 10″ x 6″ works well). Freeze until partially firm, about 4 hours.
-
Remove from the freezer and scrape the surface with a fork to create icy flakes. Serve in individual glasses and garnish with lime zest or fresh mint.
Nutrition
Calories: 156 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 41 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 1 g |
Sugar: 36 g
Nutrition information is approximate and provided for convenience only.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
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