Pineapple Cheese Ball with cream cheese, chopped ham, crushed pineapple, red bell peppers, celery, green onions, and pecans is a delicious medley of sweet and savory flavors! A guaranteed hit at any holiday gathering!
Cheese appetizers are my favorite things to serve for special gatherings. They are a breeze to make and go well with the fresh fruits, cracker crisps, crusty baguette slices, and cured meats I like to assemble my party platters with.
Along with brie en croute, this pineapple cheese ball makes a steady appearance on our holiday menu year after year. Chock full of cream cheese, crushed pineapple, chopped ham, green onions, red bell peppers, and crunchy pecans, it’s always the first to disappear! Guests can’t seem to get enough of the awesome medley of sweet and savory flavors.
Another great thing about this pineapple cheese ball other than being amazingly delicious is you can make it way ahead of time, leaving you one less thing to worry about on the day of the event.
The cheese ball actually benefits from sitting in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight as it firms up for easier handling and the flavors are allowed to meld. Just wrap the shaped mixture in plastic film so the outer part doesn’t dry out and coat with the chopped pecans when you’re ready to serve so the nuts stay fresh and crunchy.
The recipe makes 2 cheese balls but it can be easily doubled or halved depending on what you need. Serve with buttery crackers (Ritz are my favorite!) and expect a party in your mouth!
Pineapple Cheese Ball with cream cheese, chopped ham, crushed pineapple, red bell peppers, celery, green onions, and pecans is a delicious medley of sweet and savory flavors! A guaranteed hit at any holiday gathering!
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1/2 cup deli ham, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons celery, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 cup pecans, chopped
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In a bowl, beat cream cheese at low speed for about 1 minute or just until smooth.
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Add crushed pineapple, ham, celery, red bell pepper, green onions, and seasoned salt. Stir to combine.
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Divide mixture into two portions and shape each into a ball.
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Wrap each cheese ball with plastic film and allow to chill in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 hours.
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When ready to serve, gently roll cheese ball in chopped pecans to fully coat, pressing down nuts to adhere.
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Serve with cracker crisps or bagel chips.
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