Wash the pineapple and jalapeños carefully under cool water. Dice the pineapple into small pieces and slice the jalapeños thinly. Wear gloves if needed because jalapeño oils can irritate sensitive skin.

Place sugar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes into a large saucepan. Stir everything together over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves into the syrup.

Carefully stir the diced pineapple and sliced jalapeños into the hot syrup. Mix slowly so every piece gets coated evenly. The mixture will smell sweet, spicy, and slightly smoky while cooking.

Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The pineapple should soften slightly while the syrup thickens into a glossy texture.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for several minutes. The syrup thickens more while cooling, giving the Pineapple Cowboy Candy Recipe its rich and sticky texture.

Use a ladle to spoon the cowboy candy into clean mason jars or airtight containers. Let everything cool completely before sealing. Store the jars in the refrigerator for the freshest flavor.