This pineapple cheeseball is a party favorite. It’s fresh, citrusy, and a perfect combination of salty and sweet that tastes good on a cracker.
A Pineapple Cheese Ball Recipe For Your Appetizer Table
Everyone enjoys a great appetizer to start their meal or just to nibble on during a party or special event. The tropical taste of pineapple, the rich smooth flavor of cream cheese, and the savory goodness of ham make this appetizer a great start to any occasion.
The peak growing season for pineapples runs from March through July. However, they are available year round. This recipe calls for canned crushed pineapple so you are good to go anytime.
You might add fresh pineapple on the serving tray as a garnish to display your cheese ball at is finest.
Watch How to Make a Pineapple Cheese Ball
Can you freeze this?
If using recently bought ingredients, your cheese ball should last about 2 weeks in the fridge in airtight container. If the ball has fruit, veggies, nuts, and meat (like this one), it might last less time. A close eye would help you determine its “shelf” life.
To freeze a cheese ball, wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap before placing in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, thaw the ball for a full 24 hours in the refrigerator. The texture will be less creamy and slightly more crumbly.
You can freeze cheese balls rolled in nuts, but rolling the ball in nuts or other toppings immediately before serving is also an option.
What can I add to this recipe to make it more spicy?
This cheese ball is tasty as is, but to spice it up you could add sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese to give it a richer, fuller flavor.
The addition of cayenne pepper, paprika, or a chopped jalapeno pepper would rev up the taste even more.
Experiment with ingredients until it is just right for you and your taste buds.
What all can you roll the pineapple cheeseball in?
This recipe calls for your cheese ball to be rolled in chopped pecans. You could substitute walnuts, peanuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts. Try it different ways to determine which nutty flavor you prefer.
My family has pecan trees, so these nuts are an easy choice for me.
How to roll a cheese ball in nuts
You have a few options here.
First, you can chop the nuts and then press them gingerly (I love that word, don’t you?) into the sides so that you are determining where they are going.
Second, after you’ve refrigerated your cheese ball for AT LEAST one hour (preferably more if you’re going to roll), take it out immediately and roll it around on a plate with chopped nuts. So you’ll put the nuts on a flat level on a plate, then roll the ball around.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup crushed pineapple drained
- ¼ cup finely chopped green onion, green parts only
- ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup cooked ham, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together all of the ingredients EXCEPT pecans until completely blended.
- Using plastic wrap, shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Transfer to a serving plate. Press the pecans into the sides.
- Refrigerate at least one hour prior to serving.
- Serve with crackers or vegetable dippers.
Pineapple Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 2 pkgs 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup crushed pineapple drained
- 1/4 cup green onion finely chopped, green parts only
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 cup cooked ham finely chopped, (optional)
- 1 cup pecans chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together all of the ingredients EXCEPT pecans until completely blended.
- Using plastic wrap, shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Transfer to a serving plate. Press the pecans into the sides.
- Refrigerate at least one hour prior to serving.
- Serve with crackers or vegetable dippers.
