Easy Pineapple Cheese Ball Recipe

A blast from past party goodness - so retro! No party is complete without a good appetizer and I love this sweet and salty pineapple cheese ball. 

The Perfect Party Appetizer - A Pecan Covered Pineapple Cheese Ball

Does anyone else remember when no party was complete without a cheese ball?

I am probably really dating myself with this, but I used to love when I was a kid and went to a party, a grown-up party, and there was a cheese ball. When I saw that huge ball of deliciousness surrounded by crackers, I considered the party to be a success.

It didn't take much to make me happy back then and to be honest, that's still true 😉 

For this month's The Cooking Housewives holiday extravaganza (scroll to the bottom of this post for all of the other delicious holiday recipes being shared....sweet treats, appetizers, and more!) I decided to make a true American classic, a Pineapple Cheese Ball with chopped dates, raisins, lots of cream cheese, and a freshly ground pecan coating. 

Overhead view of a pineapple cheese ball rolled in pecans on a white platter with butter crackers and dates around it

I realized my sons had been deprived of a holiday cheese ball experience so it was about time I made one for them and we were going to a Christmas open house so I got to kill two birds with one stone. 😉 

This really is easy to make. I always envisioned it being a much more complicated recipe, but seriously, if it were any simpler it would make itself. 

How to Make an Easy Sweet and Salty Nutty Pineapple Cheese Ball 

*Printable Version at Bottom of Post

Ingredients

1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained

2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

⅓ cup raisins

½ cup dates, chopped

½ cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

Overhead view of ingredients used to make pineapple cheese dip

I like to start by placing the cream cheese only in a bowl and mashing it up with a fork. This softens it up a little and makes it easier to add and mix in the other ingredients.

Next, add the dates to the cream cheese, 

then the raisins, 

and lastly, the pineapple.

Mix all together until it's nice and creamy. 

Place the chopped nuts into a bowl.
Take the mixed cheese ball ingredients and form into one giant ball. Place in the bowl of nuts and roll around to coat all sides.
 
Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

📖 Recipe

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Get ready to take a trip down memory lane with this 1980s-inspired cheese ball recipe that's perfect for entertaining! Made with a blend of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and spices, this delicious cheese ball is sure to impress your guests. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this retro appetizer in no time. So dust off your fondue pot and get ready to party like it's 1989!
Print Recipe Save Recipe
Pineapple Cheese Ball rolled in pecans on a beautiful white platter with dates and butter crackers
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple drained
  • 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese softened
  • cup raisins
  • ½ cup dates chopped
  • ½ cup pecans chopped

Instructions

  • Before adding any ingredients I like to smoosh up my cream cheese using a fork to make it nice and smooth. 
  • Next, and the dates to the cream cheese,  
  • then the raisins, 
  • and lastly, the crushed pineapple. 
  • Mix all together well until it's nice and creamy!
  • Now, I like to take the chopped pecans and give them a quick run through a mixer or food processor to make it less chunky and more spreadable but you don't want it to be a "dust" so easy does it.
  • Place about half of the nuts into a bowl, take your mixed cheese ball ingredients and form them into a giant delectable orb of cheese and roll it around in the nuts until all sides are coated.
  • Wrap the ball in some plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. I served the one I made the same day BUT it is better, the flavors blend together in a more harmonious manner (I'm getting all chef-y now, aren't I?) if you let it sit about a day. Serve with some buttery crackers or any crackers you prefer! 

Video

As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 99mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 310IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Servings: 20
Calories: 118kcal
Author: Mary Beth

If you're concerned about guests with nut allergies, you can absolutely omit the pecans. 

What's your favorite party appetizer? I would love to hear about it and if it's retro we can nosh on the good old days!

More Easy Appetizer Recipes:

The links below will take you directly to all of the other amazing recipes being shared by The Cooking Housewives this month.

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collage of 13 Christmas appetizers and desserts including Christmas cookies

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14 Comments

  1. Kristin salazar says:

    This looks so good!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Kristin! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  2. I need a pineapple cheeseball right now!! I just read pineapple is great for arthritis!!! Merry Christmas my sweet MB!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I had no idea pineapple is great for arthritis. Isn't it amazing how food can be so beneficial to the body? Merry Christmas to you as well, joyful, kind, and encouraging Julie! xoxo

  3. Cheese ball with pineapple!!! Sounds amazing!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thank you, Maryann! It's the perfect amount of sweet and cheesy. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. xo

  4. I'm from the era where a party wasn't a party without a cheese ball! Your cheese ball sounds so yummy and it wouldn't last long around here if I made it.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Kindred spirits! A woman who appreciates a good cheese ball. 😉 Have a wonderful Christmas, Paula.

  5. Nancy @ Foodie Chicks Rule says:

    Delicious, Mary Beth! I'm going to have to give this one a try! 🙂 xo

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Thanks so much, Nancy! xo

  6. Yes. I remember cheeseballs 🙂 I don't think I've tried one with pineapples, but it sounds like a great addition to a cheeseball spread.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I am so glad I'm not the only one with cheeseball memories 😉 My family likes to tease me when I walk down memory lane. Have a beautiful holiday, Erlene!

  7. Linda Johnston says:

    It makes me so happy that cheese balls are making a come back! So delicious, afforable and easy to make.

    1. Mary Beth says:

      I agree, Linda! I love a good old-fashioned cheese ball. Have a wonderful Christmas.