Golden Pineapple Balls Recipe: Sweet Island Bites

Sweet pineapple balls bring tropical sunshine to any dessert table with their vibrant burst of flavor.

These delightful treats combine smooth, tangy fruit with rich, complementary ingredients that dance across your palate.

Compact and elegant, each sphere represents a perfect balance of texture and taste.

Homemade versions offer an irresistible alternative to store-bought confections, allowing creative culinary expression.

Tropical fruit lovers appreciate the delicate blend of natural sweetness and subtle complexity in these bite-sized delicacies.

Crafting these golden orbs requires minimal kitchen expertise and delivers maximum satisfaction for anyone seeking a unique confectionery experience.

Dessert enthusiasts will fall in love with these charming, pop-in-your-mouth sensations.

Why Pineapple Balls Are Bursting with Flavor

• Create Tropical Textures: Experience a delightful blend of creamy cream cheese, crunchy graham cracker crumbs, and soft coconut that dances on your palate with each bite.
• Quick and Easy Dessert Magic: Whip up these pineapple balls in just a few simple steps, requiring no baking and minimal preparation time, perfect for last-minute gatherings or sweet cravings.
• Burst of Tropical Flavor: Enjoy the vibrant combination of tangy pineapple and sweet coconut that instantly transports you to a sunny beach vacation, making these treats a mini tropical escape right in your kitchen.
• No-Fuss Crowd-Pleaser: Impress friends and family with a dessert that looks elegant and tastes sophisticated, yet comes together effortlessly with just a few common ingredients and basic mixing techniques.

What You’ll Need to Make Pineapple Balls

• Cream Cheese: Soft, tangy base that provides creamy texture and rich flavor, best when at room temperature for smooth mixing.

• Crushed Pineapple, Pineapple Jello Powder: Bright tropical fruit that adds natural sweetness and intense pineapple flavor, ensure pineapple is well-drained to prevent excess moisture.

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Provides structure and slight crunch, helps bind ingredients together with a classic cookie-like base.
• Coconut: Adds tropical texture and sweet nutty flavor, use shredded or flaked for coating and mixing, fresh coconut works best for authentic taste.

Rolling and Shaping Pineapple Balls Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare Cream Cheese Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and place room temperature cream cheese inside. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream cheese until silky smooth, eliminating any pesky lumps.

Step 2: Combine Tropical Ingredients

• Drained crushed pineapple
• Coconut (first portion)
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Pineapple jello powder

Blend everything together until perfectly mixed and uniform.

Step 3: Chill The Mixture

Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and let it rest for one hour. This helps the mixture set and become easier to shape.

Step 4: Shape Tropical Treats

After chilling, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and gently roll them into round balls using your palms.

Step 5: Create Coconut Coating

Take the remaining coconut and roll each ball completely, ensuring a beautiful white exterior covers the entire treat.

Step 6: Store And Serve

Place the finished Pineapple Coconut Balls in a sealed container within the refrigerator. These tropical bites are ready to delight your taste buds and impress guests with their sweet, tangy flavor.

Tip: These treats stay fresh for up to 5 days when properly refrigerated.

Tips to Perfect the Texture of Pineapple Balls

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate the mixture for a full hour to help it firm up, making it easier to roll into neat, uniform balls without sticking to your hands.
• Drain Thoroughly: Squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the crushed pineapple to prevent soggy balls and ensure a compact, well-formed texture.
• Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Soften the cream cheese beforehand to achieve a smooth, lump-free base that blends seamlessly with other ingredients.
• Consistent Size Matters: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to create evenly sized balls, ensuring uniform coating and consistent texture.
• Coconut Coating Trick: Spread the remaining coconut on a flat plate for easy and even rolling, gently pressing to help the coconut adhere completely to the surface.

How to Store Pineapple Balls Without Drying Them Out

• Refrigerator Storage: Keep Pineapple Balls in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Option: Wrap individual Pineapple Balls in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheating Tips: Enjoy chilled straight from the refrigerator or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before serving. Avoid microwaving, as this can alter the texture and consistency of the cream cheese mixture.

What Goes Best with Pineapple Balls on the Plate

• Tropical Cocktail Companion: Pair these Pineapple Balls with a refreshing piña colada or a crisp mojito to enhance the tropical fruit flavors and complement the coconut coating.
• Complementary Cheese Plate: Serve alongside a light, creamy brie or a tangy goat cheese to balance the sweet and tropical notes of the dessert balls.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Match with a mild green tea or a passion fruit herbal tea to highlight the pineapple's brightness and provide a subtle, refreshing counterpoint to the rich cream cheese base.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Enjoy with a sweet Moscato or a light Riesling that echoes the fruity and tropical essence of the Pineapple Balls.

Tasty Variations of Pineapple Balls You Can Try

• Tropical Mango Fusion: Swap crushed pineapple with diced ripe mango for a different tropical flavor profile, maintaining the same creamy texture and coconut coating.
• Citrus Zest Burst: Add orange or lemon zest to the mixture for a bright, tangy undertone that complements the sweet cream cheese base.
• Nutty Caribbean Crunch: Mix in chopped macadamia or toasted almonds for extra texture and a rich, nutty dimension that enhances the tropical theme.
• Spiced Rum Infusion: Incorporate a small amount of rum extract or dark rum into the cream cheese mixture for an adult-friendly version with a warm, complex flavor.

Pineapple Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Mexican pineapple balls bring tropical sweetness to dessert tables with delightful precision. Rolled with care and dusted in coconut, these bite-sized treats offer a perfect balance of tangy fruit and delicate texture you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 398 milliliters (13.4 fluid ounces) canned crushed pineapple, very well drained
• 2 cups unsweetened fine desiccated coconut
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

• ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 (3-ounce) packet pineapple jello

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and add softened cream cheese. Utilize an electric mixer to transform the cheese into a silky, uniform texture with zero lumps.
2. Incorporate the thoroughly drained pineapple chunks into the cream cheese mixture. Introduce graham cracker crumbs, one portion of coconut, and the pineapple gelatin powder directly into the bowl.
3. Blend all components vigorously until they create a harmonious, well-integrated mixture with consistent color and texture.
4. Transfer the mixture to the refrigerator and allow it to chill and solidify for approximately 60 minutes, which will enhance its moldability.
5. After chilling, remove the mixture and use a tablespoon to scoop uniform portions. Gently roll each portion between your palms to create smooth, round spheres.
6. Take the remaining coconut and create a coating station. Delicately roll each pineapple sphere through the coconut, ensuring complete and even coverage.
7. Arrange the finished coconut-encrusted orbs in a sealed, refrigerator-safe container. Maintain in the cool environment until ready to serve these tropical-inspired confections.
8. Serve chilled and savor the delightful combination of tangy pineapple, creamy cheese, and toasted coconut.

Notes

• Chill the mixture for an hour to enhance flavor and make rolling easier.
• Drain crushed pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the mixture.
• Room temperature cream cheese ensures smooth blending without lumps.
• Use fresh, fine-textured coconut for the best coating and taste experience.
• Rolling in coconut adds a delightful tropical texture and visual appeal.
• Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for maximum freshness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Global

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg