Baked Pineapple Bread Casserole – Easy Holiday Side Dish

This pineapple bread casserole is the perfect sweet side dish for holidays with a buttery topping and simple pantry ingredients.

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Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits. While it’s usually something we prefer in the summer, I enjoy fresh pineapple any time of the year. The first time I made this it was supposed to be a way to make pineapple stuffing, but it ended up as more of a pineapple bread casserole.

Justin said it reminded him a bit of a pineapple bread pudding, too. But it’s not quite the same. So we weren’t quite sure what to call this one. It has pineapple in it. The dish is made with torn-up bread-like stuffing. And it’s made in a casserole dish. So since it’s a pineapple casserole with bread cubes, Pineapple Bread Casserole it is!

Even though it’s not what we set out to make, it quickly became a family favorite. It’s an easy recipe to put together as the perfect side dish for summer grilling, Thanksgiving dinner, with your Easter ham, or any other holiday dinner. 

This classic Southern-style pineapple casserole is a holiday favorite in many homes, especially in the South. With roots in sweet-and-savory comfort food traditions, it often appears on Easter or Christmas tables alongside ham or turkey.

Simple Ingredients Options

When making this simple dish, you have a few options for some of your ingredients. My original recipe works well, but you can always change things to your liking. 

• Use canned pineapple chunks or pineapple tidbits instead of crushed pineapple if you want it to be chunkier. 
• For a gluten-free option, change the white bread for your favorite gluten-free bread. 
• Swap the white sugar for brown sugar for a richer flavor. 
• Top the dish with pineapple rings. 
• Crush buttery crackers over the top of the pineapple bake in the last 10 minutes for a crunchy topping.
• Offset the sweetness of the pineapple a bit with some shredded sharp cheddar cheese mixed into the pineapple dish during the last step before baking. 

Tip: Reserve the drained pineapple juice to use in other recipes such as a strawberry pineapple daiquiri. 

Serving Suggestions

This sweet and buttery pineapple bread casserole is surprisingly versatile! Here are some delicious ways to serve it:

• With holiday mains – Pairs perfectly with ham, roasted turkey, or glazed pork.
• At brunch – Serve alongside breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs, or a fruit salad for a sweet-savory combo.
• With cheese boards – Offer it as a warm, sweet element on a charcuterie or brunch board.
• As dessert – Top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple sweet treat.

Recipe Variations

Want to mix things up or adjust the recipe to fit what you have on hand? Try one of these easy variations:

• Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg – For a warm, spiced flavor that leans more toward dessert.
• Use different bread – Try brioche, Hawaiian rolls, or even croissants for added richness.
• Add cheese – Stir in shredded sharp cheddar for a classic Southern twist.
• Fresh pineapple – Finely chop fresh pineapple in place of canned; just be sure to drain any excess juice.
• Make it dairy-free – Swap the butter for a plant-based version and use a dairy-free milk substitute if your recipe includes milk or cheese.

Pineapple Bread Casserole FAQs

Pineapple Bread Casserole Step by Step

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 20 oz crushed pineapple, drained
• 5 slices classic white bread

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until they are well combined. 

Add the eggs, one at a time, until smooth.

Mix in the drained crushed pineapple.

Tear the slices of bread into small pieces and gently fold the bread cubes into the mixture.

Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared casserole dish.

Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, until the mixture is set and the bread is golden brown.

Pineapple Bread Casserole Leftovers

Storage: Allow the casserole to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 2–3 days. For best results, store in a shallow dish to help it cool evenly and maintain its texture. If you prefer, you can also wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Reheating: To reheat the entire dish, cover it with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven for about 15–20 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the casserole’s slightly crisp edges and soft center. For individual portions, a quick microwave zap—about 30 to 45 seconds—does the trick. It reheats quickly and still tastes great the next day!

Freezing: Pineapple bread casserole freezes well. Once cooled, wrap individual portions or the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating as directed. Keep in mind that the texture may be slightly softer after freezing, but the flavor remains delicious.

Recipe

Pineapple Bread Casserole

No matter the time of the year, pineapple bread casserole is a great side dish when you want that tropical flavor with your meal.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Course:

Side Dish

Cuisine:

American

Diet

Vegetarian

Keyword:

bread

|

casserole

|

pineapple

Dietary Needs:

Nut-Free

Servings: 8

5 from 4 votes

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp butter (softened)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 20 oz crushed pineapple (drained)
• 5 slices white bread

Recommended Equipment

• Casserole Dish
• Mixing Bowls – Stainless Steel

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish
• In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar
• Add the eggs, one at a time, until smooth
• Mix in the drained crushed pineapple
• Tear the slices of bread into small pieces and gently fold them into the mixture
• Transfer the stuffing mixture to the casserole dish and bake for 1 hour, until the mixture is set and the bread is golden brown

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Nutrition Facts

Pineapple Bread Casserole

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 238 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 97mg32%

Sodium 159mg7%

Potassium 138mg4%

Carbohydrates 38g13%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 30g33%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 329IU7%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 66mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

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