Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball

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This savory Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball was a new recipe to our family, but won’t be going away anytime soon. Serve with crackers for a simple appetizer.

I love bringing homemade cheese balls to a family gatherings. I found this recipe in an old church cookbook and although I love cheese and crackers, I wasn’t too excited about eating this because I thought it was going too sweet.

I was so wrong, though.

This simple pineapple pecan cheese ball does have pineapple in it, but it also has two tablespoons of chopped onion and a dash of garlic salt.  That onion and garlic salt turned this into a savory cheese ball rather than sweet. And it was just perfect spread on some sea salt crackers.

half of a cheese ball on a platter

What is a cheese ball made of?

Cheese balls are generally made of cream cheese as a base. They then have added fruits, spices, nuts, or diced meats. You can even have a sweet cheese ball made with chocolate chips or bits of toffee and candy.

ingredients for cheese ball on wooden platter

How to Make a Cheeseball

You can make a cheese ball in 3 easy steps:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate for one hour. 
  2. After refrigerating, press the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in finely chopped pecans. 
  3. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.

What can I roll the cheese ball in besides nuts? You might not like pecans…or you may have an allergy. If so, roll the cheese ball in chopped bacon or pretzel crumbs.

What do you eat with a cheese ball?

It’s fun to make charcuterie boards and serve cheese balls with a variety of delicious things such as:

  • fresh fruit (apple slices are great!)
  • chopped veggies
  • butter crackers
  • sourdough pretzels
  • small pieces of crusty bread
pecan cheese ball with fruit on a cutting board

Can you make a cheese ball in advance?

One of the best things about this pineapple pecan cheese ball is that it can be made in advance, so no last minute cooking, baking, or reheating as you head out the door to your party.  I made mine the day before I served it.  It’s actually best if you make it in advance so the flavors have a chance to blend together. And don’t forget to serve it on a cute plate!

How long do homemade cheese balls last?

A cheese ball should last in the fridge for about 12-14 days, but that will depend on the ingredients that you have in the cheeseball. This version should be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge.

Can you freeze a cheeseball with nuts?

Yes! You can freeze a cheeseball that you’ve wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for one month. Allow it to defrost completely before unwrapping to prevent any sogginess.

closeup of pineapple pecan cheese ball
closeup of pineapple pecan cheese ball

Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball

4.62 from 70 votes
This Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball is a simple, savory appetizer with a slight hint of pineapple sweetness.
Servings 16 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

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Ingredients
 

For the cheeseball:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 8 ounces crushed pineapple drained
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
  • dash of garlic salt
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans

Optional serving sides:

  • crackers
  • fruit
  • veggies
  • bread

Instructions
 

  • Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate for one hour. 
  • After refrigerating, press the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in finely chopped pecans. 
  • Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
  • Serve with crackers, fruit, bread or veggies.

Video

Notes

The calories shown are based on the cheese ball serving 16, with 1 serving 1/16 of the cheeseball (no sides). Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 82mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Calories 148
Keyword appetizer recipe, party dip

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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Anonymous
3 years ago

5 stars
i just made this and it is so good! i wrapped finished ball in plastic wrap and put in freezer a few minutes to set it up a little before rolling it in the pecans.

Regina
8 months ago

5 stars
I used the recipe as a base and it was delicious!! I swapped the raw onion for roasted shallots and garlic, then added 1 tbsp chopped chives for flavour and color. I did cook the pineapple for a few minutes as some are sensitive to the raw pineapple. I cooled everything , mixed it all together and left in the fridge overnight. Just before serving I rolled in toasted chopped pecans. It was a hit at the birthday party I attended and I will definitely make it again.