Julie Clark
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Pineapple Cheese Ball
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This savory Pineapple Cheese Ball with pecans was a new recipe to our family, but won’t be going away anytime soon. Serve with crackers for a simple appetizer.
I love bringing homemade cheese balls to a family gatherings. I found this pineapple cheese ball recipe in an old church cookbook and although I love cheese and crackers, I was concerned that with the pineapple it would be too sweet.
I was so wrong, though.
This simple pineapple pecan cheese ball does have pineapple in it, but it also has two tablespoons of chopped onion and a dash of garlic salt. That onion and garlic salt cut the sweetness of the pineapple. And it was just perfect spread on some sea salt crackers.
What is a cheese ball made of?
Cheese balls are generally made of cream cheese as a base. They then have added fruits, spices, nuts, or diced meats. You can even have a sweet cheese ball made with chocolate chips or bits of toffee and candy, or our fluffernutter dip.
For this pineapple cheese ball you’ll need 5 ingredients:
How to Make a Pineapple Cheese Ball
You can make this pineapple cheese ball in 3 easy steps:
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- After refrigerating, press the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in finely chopped pecans.
- Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and chill until serving.
What can I roll a cheese ball in besides nuts?
You might not like pecans…or you may have an allergy. If so, roll the cheese ball in chopped bacon or pretzel crumbs for a similar texture. The crunch would pair well with the soft cream cheese mixture. You could also roll in fresh herbs or a vegetable such as fresh parsley, diced green onions, green bell pepper or red bell pepper.
What do you eat with a cheese ball?
It’s fun to make charcuterie boards and serve cheese balls with a variety of delicious things such as:
- fresh fruit (apple slices are great!)
- chopped veggies
- pita chips
- butter crackers
- sourdough pretzels
- small pieces of crusty bread
Make It Ahead
One of the best things about this pineapple cheese ball is that it can be made in advance, so no last minute cooking, baking, or reheating as you head out the door to your party. I made mine the day before I served it. It’s actually best if you make it in advance so the flavors have a chance to blend together. And don’t forget to serve it on a cute plate!
How long do homemade cheese balls last?
A pineapple cheese ball should last in the fridge for about 12-14 days, but that will depend on the ingredients that you have in the cheeseball. This version should be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge.
Can you freeze a cheeseball with nuts?
Yes! You can freeze this pineapple cheese ball that you’ve wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or another airtight container for one month. Allow it to defrost completely before unwrapping to prevent any sogginess.
Love pineapple? Try one of these:
Pineapple Cheese Ball
This Pineapple Cheese Ball is a simple, savory appetizer with a slight hint of pineapple sweetness.
Servings 16 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the cheeseball:
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple drained
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- dash of garlic salt
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Optional serving sides:
- crackers
- fruit
- veggies
- bread
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese, drained pineapple, onion and garlic salt in a large bowl. Refrigerate for one hour. 16 ounces cream cheese, 8 ounces crushed pineapple, 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion, dash of garlic salt
- After refrigerating, press the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in finely chopped pecans. 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
- Serve with crackers, fruit, bread or veggies.
Video
Notes
The calories shown are based on the cheese ball serving 16, with 1 serving 1/16 of the cheeseball (no sides). Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**
Nutrition
Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 82mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.3mg
I used the recipe as a base and it was delicious!! I swapped the raw onion for roasted shallots and garlic, then added 1 tbsp chopped chives for flavour and color. I did cook the pineapple for a few minutes as some are sensitive to the raw pineapple. I cooled everything , mixed it all together and left in the fridge overnight. Just before serving I rolled in toasted chopped pecans. It was a hit at the birthday party I attended and I will definitely make it again.
i just made this and it is so good! i wrapped finished ball in plastic wrap and put in freezer a few minutes to set it up a little before rolling it in the pecans.