Heavenly Pineapple Cheeseball Recipe

Here’s a full recipe for the Heavenly Pineapple Cheeseball — a creamy, tangy, slightly sweet appetizer that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or any gathering. It’s easy to make and always a crowd favorite!

🧀 Heavenly Pineapple Cheeseball

⭐ Ingredients:

• 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened

• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple, well drained

• ½ cup green bell pepper, finely chopped (optional but adds crunch)

• ½ cup green onions, finely chopped

• 1 tsp seasoning salt (e.g., Lawry’s)

• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (optional but recommended)

• 1 cup chopped pecans, divided (½ cup in the mix, ½ cup to coat)

🥣 Instructions:

1. Drain the pineapple thoroughly

   • Press it with paper towels or in a sieve to remove as much liquid as possible. This step is very important so the mixture doesn’t become watery.

2. Make the cheese mixture

   • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.

   • Add in the drained pineapple, green onion, bell pepper, seasoning salt, and lemon pepper.

   • Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans.

3. Form into a ball

   • Scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap and shape into a ball (or log, if you prefer).

   • Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This allows the flavors to blend and the ball to firm up.

4. Coat the cheeseball

   • Spread the remaining ½ cup chopped pecans on a plate.

   • Unwrap the chilled cheeseball and roll it in the pecans to coat the outside evenly.

5. Serve

   • Place the cheeseball on a serving platter.

   • Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or vegetable sticks (like celery and bell pepper strips).

👩‍🍳 Tips & Variations:

• Make ahead: Can be made up to 2 days in advance. Just keep it wrapped and chilled.

• No pecans? Use chopped walnuts, almonds, or skip the nut coating entirely.

• For extra flavor: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of garlic powder.

• Mini cheeseballs: Make smaller individual balls for easy serving at parties.