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Easy and fast to mix up, and place in the fridge for later. A great make-ahead appetizer, this Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball is sure to please the majority of guests!
Step by step photos and instructions below!
Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball
This easy Hawaiian cheese ball recipe is deliciously simple and a hit at parties, holidays and game days.
It’s one of those recipes that you literally just mix up and refrigerate, then pull out and serve. Total winner!!
Is this easy? Is it quick to make?
HECK YEAH!! I mix this up in under 5 minutes and set it in the fridge for later. I roll it in pecans, then set it on a platter – ready to serve whenever I am! Just add some crackers, and you’re good to go.
Meat + Fruit = okay, or no?
There are two distinct camps about mixing fruit and meat – those who love it (hi there Hawaiian pizza) and those who think it’s all wrong and should never happen. And then there are those that love Hawaiian pizza, but say that fruit and meat should never mix in any other way, ever.
Which camp are YOU in?
Want another Cheeseball Recipe? Grab my Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Super easy to make. Literally just a few minutes to mix, and then store in the fridge until you want to eat it.
- Make ahead. Make this the day before a party or holiday and cross it off your list of things to do!
What to serve with a Cheese Ball
Sturdy crackers like wheat thins or pita chips go great with this recipe. You can also do sliced vegetables. I like cucumbers, carrots and red bell peppers too.
I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Cream Cheese – softened, so it’s easy to mix.
- Pineapple. I use crushed pineapple, as it disperses well into the mixture. Drain the pineapple really well.
- Powdered Sugar. Totally optional, but I think it works well with these flavors. Not a fan of sweet? Add a dash of hot sauce!
- Chopped Green Onions. Don’t leave these out! They add a pretty color and subtle flavor
- Ham. I use a high quality thin sliced deli ham that I then chop into fine pieces
- Chopped Pecans. What is a cheese ball if not rolled in finely chopped nuts? You’ll need about a half cup of pecans.
How to make this recipe
Scroll for Recipe
The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Soften the cream cheese, drain the pineapple, chop the green onions, dice the ham.
Mix
In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, drained pineapple, powdered sugar, chopped green onions and dice ham.
Shape
Shape the mixture into a ball. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap and scoop the mixture in. Close the plastic wrap around the mixture and shape into a ball as shown. Don’t worry about getting the perfect shape, you can roll it more later when it is chilled.
Chill. The Cheese Ball AND you.
Chill until firm, then roll in crushed pecans.
Return to the fridge and store until you want to serve.
Serve
Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you want to eat (so you can dig in easily!).
Serve with crackers, devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Don’t worry about getting the perfect shape, you can roll it more later when it is chilled.
You can use a stand mixer to mix this, but I generally just use a large mixing bowl.
Remove from the refrigerator about 10 to 15 minutes before you want to serve so it is softened and scoopable
Substitutions/Additions
Add a little garlic powder or ranch dressing mix for some added flavor!
Check the flavor – you may wish to add a pinch of salt.
You may like to add blue cheese, or sharp cheddar cheese (I use pre-shredded cheeses to keep this super fast)
More appetizer recipes
- Baked Chicken Taquitos – Baked in the oven, not fried – easy to make, super delicious, and freezer friendly.
- Ham & Cheese Savory Palmiers – Make ahead, and bake as your guests arrive –yummy!
- Baked Southwestern Egg Rolls – sweet corn, black beans, spinach and cilantro. These are as tasty as they sound!
- Smoked Paprika Almonds (with Bacon) from Take Two Tapas
- Best Ever Deviled Eggs from Sugar, Spice & Glitter
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on Kylee Cooks, leave a comment and rating – I truly love to hear from you!
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Ham & Pineapple Cheese Ball
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 oz crushed pineapple (canned) drained
- 1 Tbs powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tbs green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup ham chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
Get Prepped
- Soften the cream cheese, drain the pineapple, chop the green onions, dice the ham.
Mix
- In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, drained pineapple, powdered sugar, chopped green onions and dice ham.
Shape
- Shape the mixture into a ball. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap and scoop the mixture in. Close the plastic wrap around the mixture and shape into a ball.
Chill
- Chill until firm, then roll in crushed pecans.
- Return to the fridge and store until you want to serve.
- Devour.
Tips & Notes:
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Update: This recipe was originally published in May of 2017. It was republished with updated photos in June of 2022.
Arlene says
Can you freeze this cheese ball?
Kylee says
I haven’t frozen it, I would be concerned that the liquid in the pineapple or ham would leach into the cheese, making the texture off. BUT, that also might NOT happen, if you were super diligent about draining the pineapple.
Paula says
Kylee, my granddaughter is allergic to nuts. What could I roll the pineapple cheese ball in. We love pineapple and ham.
Kylee says
I would use broken pretzels, or crushed crackers.
Lexi says
I saw this recipe a few yrs ago on Pinterest, not sure if it was this blog or not. It is a HIT!!! Everyone loved it and I make it often! Only thing is that I make it as a dip, not a ball. I put it in a clear Pyrex bowl. Yum!!!!
Paul says
I had ham for Christmas. I do mine with red pop ,brown sugar.,and ham. I am going to try the cheeseball
Dorota says
Świetnie wygląda muszę wypróbować 🙂
Uwielbiam takie połączenia 🙂
Tiffany says
Hi Kylee! My eyes li t up seeing this recipe. Can you please share what ham you used? We don’t but a lot of ham here, so I don’t know which to select. The thin deli sandwich meat kind? A whole slab? Help me out here! (Please and thank you!)
Tiffany says
Sorry for the misspelling!
Lit* up
Buy*
Kylee says
Hi Tiffany
You can use any ham you like! I’ve used deli ham, sliced, and also chunked up some leftover easter ham!
Anita says
How long will it last. Can i make it a week ahead..?
Kylee says
I would only make this a few days ahead, and maybe wait to roll in the nuts – or they’ll go soggy
Linda says
Last time I made this was Oct 4, 2014 for a baby shower for my daughter to help out the friends giving it. I guess I was running late putting it together & had to microwave the cream cheese so it was more ‘creamy’ than the usual cheeseball. Still it tasted great. I’ve been looking for the recipe since then. Thought I knew the ‘work place’ cookbook the recipe was in & even who had put it in. Nope, no luck. Do not think it had the powdered sugar & we have a small can like tuna of canned ham [not spam] that my recipe originally called for. So glad I found your recipe. Saving it on Pinterest this time. Plan to have it this Christmas for sure – cant wait! By the way, my daughter had our first granddaughter the next day! [2 weeks early]
Beth says
I love your ham and pineapple cheese ball! It’s beautiful and delicious, too! I included it in my most recent blog post: https://talesfromwalnutstreet.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/keeping-it-simple-for-the-holidays/
I hope you don’t mind! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy Holidays!
Kylee says
Not at all – thanks for sharing, Beth!
Kate says
I’m having ham and cheese on pizza for lunch today!
Kylee says
I LOVE me some hawaiian pizza!