This easy pineapple cheeseball is the perfect combination of tangy, sweet, and creamy, making it a crowd-pleasing appetizer. With only 10 minutes of prep and basic ingredients, you’ll have this dish ready in no time.
Juicy pineapple is the star of this cheeseball because it adds a burst of sweetness that perfectly compliments the creamy cheese. This easy appetizer is the perfect way to spice up any event and a sure way to impress your guests.
Similar to our best cheeseball, our beef cheeseball or our mini cheeseballs, this is a simple appetizer that is so rich and delicious. Especially when served with gluten free crackers.
It’s easy enough to serve for game days but also makes a fantastic addition to formal events like Christmas or Thanksgiving. I love serving it along side cheese fondue or an easy charcuterie board.
Another reason why this recipe works great for special occasions is that it’s super easy to throw together and can be made the night before. This will save you time in the kitchen on those busy mornings!
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Our chocolate chip cheeseball is another great option. That is sweet and perfect with cookies.
Why you’l love this gluten-free cheeseball
- It’s a classic appetizer that works for all different occasions.
- You can make it ahead of time to save yourself some work in the kitchen.
- It goes well with crackers, bread, veggies, sliced meats, etc.
- You can add it to the center of a charcuterie board for some flare!
- It’s a delightful blend of creamy cheese, sweet pineapple, and crunchy pecans, that the whole family will love.
You will need…
- Cream cheese – Softened, full fat cream cheese yields best results. To soften your cream cheese, leave it on the counter for roughly one hour.
- Vegetables – Green peppers and green onions are my go-to for this cheeseball recipe but you can add other veggies too.
- Pineapple – If you’ve never had pineapple in a cheeseball you’re missing out. It adds tons of flavor and gives this recipe a delicious, yet unique taste.
- Nuts – Pecans work best but you can use chopped almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc. I like to place the nuts in a food processor for a quick and easy way to chop them.
- Worcestershire sauce – For some extra flavor.
How to make a homemade cheeseball
Step 1: Combine
In a large mixing bowl, combine everything together except the nuts.
Step 2: Roll
Add chopped nuts to wax paper then roll the cream cheese mixture over the nuts until it is completely covered.
Step 3: Chill out
Refrigerate the ball for at least two hours or up to 10 hours.
Pro tip: Next time you need to chop nuts, place them in a blender or a food processor for a quick and easy way to chop them!
How do you thicken a cheeseball?
For this recipe, you’ll need to make sure that your pineapple does not have any excess juice. I recommend using canned pineapple over fresh pineapple for this reason.
But, you can stir in more cream cheese or a tablespoon of salted butter to thicken the cheeseball.
Expert tips
- Use plastic wrap – You can use plastic wrap to help shape the cheeseball. This way, you get a perfect result without messy hands.
- Serve with many different dippers – Serve this cheeseball with gluten-free crackers, pretzels, bread, fresh vegetables, or even dried pineapple or mango.
- Add more mix ins – Options like chopped herbs, crispy bacon bits, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of your favorite spices can take this cheeseball to the next level.
How to store a cheeseball
Storing – You can store a pineapple pecan cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. Although, make sure that your cheeseball doesn’t sit at room temperature for more than 4 hours to preserve freshness.
Freezing – I do not recommend freezing this cheeseball recipe. It will alter the texture and cheese does not thaw well.
What to serve with a Hawaiian cheese ball
I prefer to use gluten-free crackers, pretzels, or bread but you can use ritz crackers or your favorite crackers instead. Red bell peppers, pita chips, buttery crackers, wheat thins, and dried fruit are also good choices.
More recipes you’ll love
- If you like cheese ball recipes, you have to try this classic cheeseball and this beef cheeseball.
- For another crowd pleaser appetizer, try this viral tik tok butter board recipe.
- This christmas charcuterie board is perfect for the holiday season!
- Wash this cheeseball down with a pina colada mocktail made with fresh fruits and coconut.
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Easy Pineapple Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 green pepper, diced
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh green onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix everything together in a large bowl expect nuts
- Crush nuts on a piece of wax paper then roll the cheese ball into nuts until completely covered then wrap in plastic wrap
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and up to overnight (remove from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before serving)
Jenna says
I love a good cheeseball, and this one is definitely my new favorite!