Our pineapple cheese ball brings together sweet tropical fruit, tangy cream cheese, and crunchy pecans for an irresistible party appetizer. The blend of savory and sweet flavors makes it a hit at any gathering. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you’ll have a stunning appetizer that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Serve it at your next holiday party, potluck, or game day celebration!
This cream cheese ball has been a beloved appetizer since the 1960s, and it’s making a major comeback! Our cream cheese ball with pineapple adds a Hawaiian-inspired adaptation to the traditional recipe, creating a perfect balance of textures and tastes. What makes this recipe special is the addition of green bell pepper and onion, which provide a subtle crunch and savory depth. The overnight refrigeration allows all the flavors to meld together. It pairs wonderfully with buttery crackers, fresh crispy vegetables, or pita chips.
Put this recipe on a table right next to our easy charcuterie board for an impressive party spread. You may also serve this alongside our mini stuffed peppers with cream cheese for a dynamic appetizer duo that balances sweet and spicy.
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Why We Love This Cream Cheese Ball
- The perfect sweet and savory balance
The sweetness of the pineapple cuts through the richness of the cream cheese perfectly, while the seasoned salt and onion keep things savory. It’s not overly sugary like some dessert cheese balls, this one walks that delicious line between appetizer and treat. - Make-ahead convenience
We love recipes that let us prepare ahead, and this one actually requires it! Chilling overnight isn’t just recommended, it’s essential for the best texture and flavor. You can make this the day before your event and simply pull it out when guests arrive, leaving you stress-free to enjoy the party. - Customizable and festive
This easy appetizer adapts to any occasion. During the holidays, we swap in red and green bell peppers for a festive look. You can also substitute pistachios for pecans if you want a different color or flavor profile. The recipe is forgiving and welcomes your creative touches.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cream cheese: Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes for easier mixing
- Crushed pineapple: Make sure to drain thoroughly to prevent a watery mixture. Fresh pineapple can replace canned, but make sure to chop it finely and remove excess moisture with paper towels
- Green bell pepper: Use ⅛ cup green and ⅛ cup red bell pepper for a festive holiday version. Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers work just as well and add different colors
- Onion: White or yellow onion works best. Green onions or shallots can replace regular onion for a milder taste
- Seasoned salt: Lawry’s brand is recommended, but any seasoned salt will do. Regular salt mixed with garlic powder and paprika can substitute in a pinch.
- Pecans: For the coating. Swap pecans for chopped pistachios, walnuts, or almonds for a different flavor and appearance
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Room temperature is key
Cold cream cheese straight from the fridge will give you lumps and an arm workout you didn’t sign up for! Softened cream cheese blends effortlessly and creates that silky-smooth base we’re after. If you forgot to take it out early, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds, but watch carefully so it doesn’t melt.
Recipe Variations
- Classic Hawaiian style: Add ½ cup of finely diced celery to the mixture for extra crunch and a subtle vegetal note. Mix half of the chopped pecans directly into the cheese mixture before shaping, then roll the whole thing in the remaining chopped pecans. This creates a nuttier flavor throughout and a beautiful textured coating.
- Tropical punch version: Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pineapple juice before draining and mix it into the cheese blend for a more pronounced tropical flavor. Add ½ cup of sweetened shredded coconut to the pecan coating for a true island vibe. This variation pairs exceptionally well with sweet potato chips or cinnamon pita crisps.
- Savory bacon ranch: Stir in ¼ cup of crumbled cooked bacon and 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix to the base recipe. Instead of rolling in pecans alone, combine ½ cup chopped pecans with ¼ cup crispy bacon bits for the coating. This savory style cheese ball is perfect for those who prefer less sweetness in their appetizers.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Medium bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Silicone spatula
- Plastic wrap
How to Make Cream Cheese Ball with Pineapple
- Prepare your ingredients: Remove cream cheese from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before beginning recipe. Gather your prepared ingredients.
- Mix the base: In a medium sized bowl mix cream cheese, drained pineapple, onion, bell pepper and seasoned salt until well blended.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Size matters when chopping
Keep your bell pepper, onion, and pecans finely chopped, around ¼ inch or smaller. Large chunks make it difficult to spread on crackers and can overpower individual bites. Consistent sizing also helps everything blend together harmoniously.
- First chill: Cover with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help with the shaping process.
- Shape your ball: Remove from the refrigerator, scrape bowl down with a silicone spatula and shape mixture into a ball onto your serving platter.
- Add the pecan coating: Sprinkle and cover cream cheese ball with chopped pecans. Cover completely and press the pecans in so they adhere well.
- Overnight refrigeration: Cover the ball and refrigerate overnight. This step is important for setting the cheese ball as well as melding the flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This cream cheese ball is going to be the go-to appetizer at any event and my grandma always said presentation matters just as much as taste. Arrange your cream cheese ball with pineapple on a beautiful platter surrounded by an assortment of dippers, Ritz crackers are a classic choice, but we also love buttery club crackers, crispy bagel chips, and wheat thins for variety. Add colorful crisp, fresh vegetables like cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and carrot sticks for a lighter option.
This appetizer pairs nicely with a main dish of soda glazed ham, turkey tenderloin, or cast iron skillet chicken thigh. For sides, consider serving it alongside a fresh garden salad, roasted vegetables, or a fruit platter with grapes and strawberries. Round out your spread with desserts like lemon poke cake with lemon glaze, chocolate chip cookies, or a simple vanilla cake. As for drinks, this savory-sweet treat complements sparkling wine, prosecco, sweet tea, or tropical fruit punch perfectly. Set out your favorite crackers and watch this disappear within minutes!
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! In fact, this recipe tastes better when made ahead. The overnight refrigeration allows the flavors to develop and meld together beautifully. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance, just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your cheese ball will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you notice the pecans getting soft, you can refresh the coating by removing the old nuts and rolling it in freshly chopped ones before serving.
Yes, but freeze it before adding the pecan coating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add fresh pecans before serving. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor remains delicious.
This usually happens when the pineapple wasn’t drained well enough or the cream cheese wasn’t chilled long enough. Squeeze out excess moisture and allow adequate refrigeration time. If it’s still too soft, refrigerate for another hour or two to firm up.
Definitely! Divide the mixture into smaller portions and shape them into individual balls. These mini versions are perfect for gift-giving or portion control at parties. They’ll need less chilling time, about 4-6 hours should do the trick.
More Holiday Recipes to Love…
- Good Thanksgiving Appetizers
- How to Make Charcuterie Tree
- Christmas Tree Appetizer
- Sourdough Stuffing
If you tried this pineapple cheese ball recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram for more. Thanks for visiting!
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Equipment
- medium bowl
- wooden spoon
- silicone spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Serving platter or plate
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese two packages 8oz, softened
- 1 can (8 oz) unsweetened crushed pineapple drained
- ¼ cup green bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons onion finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt we used Lawry's brand
- 1 ½ cup pecans chopped, substitute with chopped pistachios
Instructions
- Start by setting your cream cheese out on the counter about 30 minutes before you begin. Softened cream cheese mixes so much easier and creates a smoother texture. While it's softening, drain your crushed pineapple really well, I like to press it gently with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, drained pineapple, onion, bell pepper, and seasoned salt. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to blend everything together until you have a uniform mixture. Don't worry if it seems a bit soft at this point, that's exactly what we want before chilling.
- Cover your bowl with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This initial chill makes the mixture firm enough to shape.
- Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and use a silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Transfer it onto your serving platter and gently shape it into a ball with your hands. If it's sticky, lightly wet your hands with cold water, this helps tremendously.
- Sprinkle the chopped pecans generously over the entire surface, gently pressing them into the cheese mixture so they adhere well. Make sure every inch is covered for that beautiful presentation.
- Cover your coated cheese ball and refrigerate overnight. This is where the magic happens, all those flavors meld together, and the texture becomes perfectly firm yet creamy.
- When you're ready to serve, just set it out about 15 minutes before guests arrive to take the chill off slightly. Serve with crackers, sliced vegetables or pita chips.
Notes
- For Christmas use 1/8 cup green bell pepper and 1/8n cup red bell pepper.
- Size matters when chopping. Keep your bell pepper, onion, and pecans finely chopped, around ¼ inch or smaller. Large chunks make it difficult to spread on crackers and can overpower individual bites. Consistent sizing also helps everything blend together harmoniously.
- Room temperature is key. Cold cream cheese straight from the fridge will give you lumps and an arm workout you didn’t sign up for. Softened cream cheese blends effortlessly and creates that silky-smooth base we’re after. If you forgot to take it out early, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds, but watch carefully so it doesn’t melt.
- Classic Hawaiian style: Add ½ cup of finely diced celery to the mixture for extra crunch and a subtle vegetal note. Mix half of the chopped pecans directly into the cheese mixture before shaping, then roll the whole thing in the remaining chopped pecans. This creates a nuttier flavor throughout and a beautiful textured coating.
- Tropical punch version: Reserve 2 tablespoons of the pineapple juice before draining and mix it into the cheese blend for a more pronounced tropical flavor. Add ½ cup of sweetened shredded coconut to the pecan coating for a true island vibe. This variation pairs exceptionally well with sweet potato chips or cinnamon pita crisps.
- Savory bacon ranch: Stir in ¼ cup of crumbled cooked bacon and 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix to the base recipe. Instead of rolling in pecans alone, combine ½ cup chopped pecans with ¼ cup crispy bacon bits for the coating.
- This recipe tastes better when made ahead. The overnight refrigeration allows the flavors to develop and meld together beautifully. You can prepare it up to 2 days in advance, just keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, your cheese ball will stay fresh for up to 5 days. If you notice the pecans getting soft, you can refresh the coating by removing the old nuts and rolling them in freshly chopped ones before serving.
- Freeze it before adding the pecan coating. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then add fresh pecans before serving. The texture may be slightly different, but the flavor remains delicious.
Nutrition
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