If you are looking for an easy appetizer, look no further than this pineapple cheese ball! This is my mother-in-law’s cheese ball recipe that she has been making for as long as I have known my husband.
She loves serving it to a crowd whenever some of the family gets together. Despite it being a cheese ball recipe, she never makes it into a ball and just mixes the ingredients together and serves it in a dish. Whichever way you want to serve it, it is always a hit and it’s so delicious!
It has some sweetness from the pineapple, a little crunch from the pepper and pecans, zip from the onions, and creaminess from the cream cheese. We enjoy it with chips, crackers, or pretzels, but you can also use veggies or whatever you like! It is also really delicious spread on a piece of toasted bread!
Why we love this pineapple cheese ball recipe
- the perfect combination of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory
- made with just 5 ingredients
- makes an easy appetizer or snack for a party, holiday gathering, or football-watching
Are cheese balls healthy?
Cheese balls can be a healthy snack. Cream cheese has protein and fats to help fill you up and keep you full. They are also usually made with some veggies, fruit, and nuts, which can add some vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. That being said, cream cheese and nuts are calorie-dense, so be mindful of how much you are consuming.
Ingredients
- cream cheese
- canned crushed pineapple – make sure to use pineapple in 100% juice and not syrup
- green pepper
- onion
- pecans
- salt and pepper
How to make a pineapple cheese ball
- Toast pecans. Heat up a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add pecans and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from the heat and chop 1/4 cup worth.
- Make the cheese ball. To a large bowl, add softened cream cheese, pineapple, green pepper, onion, chopped pecans, salt, and pepper and mix well to combine.
- Roll into a ball. Using a spatula, form the cream cheese mixture into a ball in your bowl. Then lay a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper out flat and add the cream cheese ball to the middle. Wrap it around the mixture, continuing to make a ball shape. Make sure it is covered. It will not be perfect, but that’s okay, you can reform it a little after it’s chilled.
- Chill. Place the ball in the fridge for 1 hour or until you are ready to serve.
- Roll in pecans. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of pecans and place them in a shallow bowl. Remove the plastic wrap and roll the cream cheese ball in the nuts. You may need to pick it up and move it as it might not roll very easily.
- Enjoy! Serve with crackers, chips, pretzels, or veggies, and enjoy!
What to serve with pineapple cheese ball
- crackers
- tortilla chips
- pita chips
- pretzels
- toasted bread
- vegetables – carrots, celery…
Storage
A homemade cheese ball will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It can sit out at room temperature for 2 hours but will soften as it sits.
Can you freeze a cheese ball?
You can freeze a cheese ball, but the texture can get a little dry and grainy due to freezing cream cheese. If you want to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Remove it from the freezer 1 day in advance and let it naturally defrost in the fridge.
Substitutions and additions
- cream cheese – I love full-fat for this recipe, but you could also use low-fat.
- canned crushed pineapple – you can use fresh, but you would need to dice it very small.
- green bell pepper – you can substitute yellow, orange, or red bell pepper for green, it will just change the flavor some.
- onion – for a more mild onion flavor, use green onions.
- pecans – most nuts will work. I suggest walnuts if making a substitution.
Here are some additions to spice it up:
- spices – try adding garlic powder or paprika.
- bacon – add some crumbled bacon to the mix for some saltiness.
- shredded cheese – some cheese balls have cheese in them. You can add some if desired.
- jalapeno – to add a little spice!
More healthy appetizer recipes
- hot crab dip
- proscuitto wrapped figs with goat cheese
- bacon wrapped chorizo stuffed dates
- candied nuts
- crispy brussel sprouts with bacon & blue cheese
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Pineapple Cheese Ball
ingredients
- 3/4 cup pecans
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, slightly softened
- 1/3 heaping cup canned crushed pineapple, juice drained (85 grams)*
- 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper (35 grams)
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion (35 grams)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- for serving: crackers, chips, toasted bread, veggies…
instructions
- Toast pecans. Heat up a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add pecans and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to brown and get fragrant. Immediately remove from the heat and chop 1/4 cup worth.
- Make the cheese ball. To a large bowl, add softened cream cheese, pineapple, green pepper, onion, chopped pecans, salt, and pepper and mix well to combine.
- Roll into a ball. Using a spatula, form the cream cheese mixture into a ball in your bowl. Then lay a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper out flat and add the cream cheese ball to the middle. Wrap it around the mixture, continuing to make a ball shape. Make sure it is covered. It will not be perfect, but that's okay, you can reform it a little after it's chilled.
- Chill. Place the ball in the fridge for 1 hour or until you are ready to serve.
- Roll in pecans. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup of pecans and place them in a shallow bowl. Remove the plastic wrap and roll the cream cheese ball in the nuts. You may need to pick it up and move it as it might not roll very easily.
- Enjoy! Serve with crackers, chips, pretzels, or veggies, and enjoy!
Dan says
Made it was great and easy