Pineapple Cheese Ball
This nutty pineapple cheese ball, made with sharp cheddar, pepper, onion, and pineapple, is one of our favorite party appetizers.
By Yankee Magazine|Nov 16 2021|
Easy Pineapple Cheese Ball
Photo Credit: Aimee TuckerWhen time is at a premium, this easy-to-make pineapple-cheese ball recipe is a perfect option. In fact, we truly think it’s the best cheese ball ever. If by some chance there are leftovers, just reshape it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve it again.
Yield:
10 to 12 servings
Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can (8-1/2 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained well
1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 cups chopped walnuts
Instructions
In a food processor or by hand with a fork, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the cheddar , pineapple, green pepper, and onion. Reserve 1 cup of the nuts and mix in the remaining 1 cup of nuts.
Shape the mixture into a ball, roll it in the reserved nuts, and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve with crackers.
Notes
We prefer to use both cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese in this pineapple cheese ball, but you may use all cream cheese if you like.
It’s simple and fast and not a lot of work.
I’ve been looking for this recipe for years. It’s a terrific and easy recipe – delicious as well.
I would love to hear reviews from people who have actually made and served this to others. I would love to try it so I would truly like to hear the pros/cons of this recipe from ones who have made it. It sounds delicious!
Thank you!
This recipe was given to me by a co-worker in the ’70’s in Newburyport, MA. It consists of two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese (and no cheddar), 1/4 cup of finely diced green pepper and 1/4 cup of finely diced onion, 1/4 cup of crushed walnuts plus enough to roll the cheeseball in after mixing all ingredients. Also, 1 tablespoon of seasoned salt. Durkee brand was delicious, but I believe they only sell it commercially now. It is best to squeeze the juice out of the crushed pineapple by hand to remove as much juice as possible. Chill it before forming it into a ball and rolling it in walnuts. Everyone who tries it always asks for the recipe. It is delicious.
I usually roll it in bacon bits instead of nuts. Catalina dressing drizzled over it is awesome too
I’ve made this with all the ingredients listed minus the green pepper and including a small amount of blue cheese. Has always been received well!!
The addition of bleu cheese sounds great! Gotta try!
My mother used to make several of these each year for decades to serve at her huge Christmas Eve open houses. The taste still evokes wonderful memories of happy Christmases of years gone by.
One of my favorite cheese ball recipes. We use pecans instead of walnuts. And add a pinch or two of parsley.
My sister’s best friend always made this cheese ball and now its a family favorite. We use pecans rather than walnuts and have not added the cheddar. I do believe I will try it with cheddar the next time I make it. The first time my sister made the recipe it tasted quite different than when made by her best friend. In her friend’s recipe, it called for a mango so she used the fruit not the knowing that in the Midwest, many people call green peppers–mangoes!
Luv lots of great information and luv luv the recipes ! It’s really great !
I usually make 2 or 3 cheese “hedgehogs” in various flavors for a large holiday party. This year I have 1 bleu cheese, and I think I will do the cheddar, pineapple, with bacon for another. get a “crafty” young person to stick slivered or sliced almonds all over the oval shaped “body” and create a little face with bits of black olive, currants, red pepper, or what-have-you…they always come out adorable!
Clever!!!
This has been a long time favorite for me , minus the cheddar. And as Marilyn posted, seasoned salt.
I serve this with cinnamon graham crackers which is fabulous. No green peppers or onion. Almost like dessert.
Delicious just as written. I have also subbed crab meat for the cheddar, and it was wonderful.
This is my “go to” cheese ball recipe except for the sharp cheddar cheese which I’ve never used. I do add 1/2 tsp seasoning salt. It is a never fail recipe and I never have leftovers. Best cheese ball ever!
Best cheese ball recipe ever! Funny…when people try it for the first time, they love it but can’t quite figure out what’s in it. Some have thought tuna! The recipe as given to me includes 1 TB seasoned salt and no cheddar. I find it easiest to roll into a ball first, refrigerate, then roll into the chopped nuts. My beautiful mom loved this so much the first time I made it for her…it became her go-to appetizer at family gatherings.
I have got to try this with shredded cheddar cheese. Sounds delicious. I have also added chopped maraschino cherries. Gives it a little more color with green peppers
I have made this for years. I give them to my friends for Christmas. Everyone looks forward to getting it.
Try subbing Stonewall Farm House Chutney
for pineapple and omit the onion. Add chopped apple and roll in chopped pecans.
It’s delicious!