Pineapple Cheese Ball is always a favorite at holiday parties. This delicious recipe includes cream cheese, crushed pineapple, and chopped pecans. What’s not to love?
I remember the first time I was offered this Pineapple Cheese Ball. I was barely twenty-something (not that long ago – wink, wink) and was at a New Year’s Eve party at the home of a good friend.
As I was surveying the food choices, my friend insisted that I try her new cheese ball recipe. It was on my plate and about to be shoveled into my mouth with the help of a cracker when I asked what was in it (it’s not rude when it’s your good friend) and she replied, “pineapple.”
I could not imagine pineapple being one of the ingredients in a savory cheese ball. I almost backed out of tasting it, but that cracker, holding that dab of cheese ball, was dangling in mid-air and I couldn’t put it back down. I found out how amazing this cheese ball is. It’s now my favorite party food.
You can find even more cheese ball recipes here!
Pineapple Cheese Ball Is My Favorite
This is the best cheese ball I have ever tasted. The flavors mingled and complemented each other so well. It’s the perfect dance of flavors.
I left the party that night with the recipe in hand. Since then, it’s become my recipe. People ask me for “my cheese ball recipe.” And it’s the only cheese ball I make.
Did I mention how easy it is to make this cheese ball and that you make it ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together? I always pair this cheese ball with sociables or Ritz crackers. Of course, you can use crudites or whatever you like. I like the Sociables.
Pineapple Cheese Ball Ingredients At A Glance
(Scroll down to see the full printable recipe card)
- cream cheese
- crushed pineapple
- finely chopped onion
- chopped green pepper
- finely chopped pecans, divided
- seasoning salt (The kind with no MSG)
Tips on Making Pineapple Cheese Ball
When making this Pineapple Cheese Ball, be sure and drain the pineapple. I let the pineapple drain in a colander. Right before adding it to the other ingredients, I use a paper towel to press down on the pineapple to remove any remaining juice.
Special Note: The original recipe calls for one tablespoon of seasoning salt (I use the one with no MSG). Because I like salt to actually compliment the food and not overpower the taste and because I’m not a big salt user, I use 1/2 tablespoon of the seasoning salt.
This is an easy recipe that family and friends request time and time again.
More Of My Favorite Holiday Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball (A dessert cheese ball that is out-of-this-world good!)
- 20 Festive Christmas Truffles
- My Favorite Cupcake of All
- Slam-Dunk Cheez-It Cheese Ball
- M&M Cookie Dough Dip
- Seven Amazing Party Dips
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Pineapple Cheese Ball is creamy and filled with finely chopped peppers, onions, pecans, and pineapple. This cheese ball is very popular with friends and family.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz. each) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (8-1/2 oz.) can crushed pineapple, well-drained
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup finely chopped green pepper
- 2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided
- 1/2 Tablespoon seasoning salt (I use the one with no MSG)
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese, pineapple, onion, pepper, ½ cup of the pecans, and the seasoning salt until well combined. I use my stand mixer set on the lowest setting or you can do it by hand.
- Refrigerate until firm (about one hour).
- I usually make it the night before and refrigerate it overnight.
- When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator and form into a ball.
- Cover with remaining pecans. Serve with crackers.
- (To cover with pecans, I place the pecans on a paper plate and roll the cheese ball around in them until well covered.)
Nutrition Information
Yield
24Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 74Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 1mgSodium 99mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 1g
32 comments
Alli, this sounds delicious and I love the stories behind recipes, too! I honestly don’t think I’ve ever made a cheese ball and I love cheese! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your recipe – pinning! I hope you enjoy the last Monday of 2013 and wishing you much joy and happiness for 2014!
Thanks for pinning, Cindy! Have a great week and a Happy 2014!
Allie,
This cheeseball is Pure- T “Slap Your Mama Away From the Table” kinda good! Lol! It is even better a day after making it, which is a relief- convenient make ahead for any occasion! Thank You for sharing this recipe and so many others for those of who appreciate good Southern/Country Cooking!
I’m glad you love it. It sure is a favorite of mine. You’re right, it’s even better the next day. Thanks for your kind words!
It looks delicious – I LOVE cheese balls. I usually flake out and buy one at the deli at the last minute, but this looks pretty do-able, and make-ahead is always a winner! Thanks for sharing!
This one is so easy and so, so good.
I have this recipe and it is the best tasting and easy to make cheese ball.
This recipe is probably the number one cheese ball recipe in Georgia! We all love it! 🙂
My hubby would absolutely Love this! Pinning to make later 🙂
Thanks for pinning, Leah! Hope he likes it. My husband sure does. And my oldest daughter was in NY for Christmas (it was their turn to spend it with her in-laws) and she made me save her some.
My niece makes the Pineapple Cheese ball which is super good! I will certainly try your recipe, sounds really good!! I think we will certainly enjoy this one too!!
Thanks, Shirley! I’ve been thinking about you and yours all weekend (and praying, too). Hope your dog is feeling better.
Pinned and will definetely have it at our New year eve party.
I hope you like it as much as we do!
It looks so yummy! And I can totally see pineapples and pecans to be in there, .. but with onions? Well, I will have to trust you on this and just try it. Thanks for the recipe!
You know, the onions are chopped so fine that you really only get the flavor and the texture is not off putting. Hope you like it.
I have been making this for years also and everyone loves it. I didn’t know about the seasoning salt so will have to try it. I agree that you should cut the onions and bell pepper up really fine, so you just get the flavor. Most people never guess that it has onions in it. Happy New Year! Aunt Jane
The seasoning salt is what puts it over the top, but I think the tablespoon is way too much. Half of that works great. Happy New Year!!
There’s nothing quite like finding the perfect combination of flavors in a non-traditional way. I love finding new combos of things I would never dream of putting together. ~Renee
You are so right, Renee. I would have never thought of these flavors together, but they compliment each other so well.
Oh, that looks yummy! I’ve never had pineapple in a cheese ball at all! Sounds interesting!
I’m so excited about this recipe. Years ago a friend brought somethings similar to a party but we have lost touch and I never got the recipe. I pinned this and think I might add it to tomorrow night’s party menu!!!
Glad I could help. I love it when I find a recipe that I thought I had lost forever. Now, if I could just find that stuffed squash recipe that I used to make in the microwave . . . 🙂
That is an interesting combination! I think I need to try this one!
I’ve always thought this was a weird combination, but somehow it works. Hope you like it.
My mom put together a cookbook with stories. Love it! I’ve read it twice (and use the recipes). This cheese ball looks like a must try!
I bet your mom’s cookbook is a great read and what an awesome idea. I know you will cherish it forever.
This looks so tasty and so easy to prepare. Thank you! Pinning! ~Thea
It is tasty, Thea! Thanks for pinning!
We are having a family gathering this weekend, and this is perfect to serve. I am so excited to give it a try.
Pinned 🙂
Hope your family enjoys the cheese ball! Mine sure does.
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