Pineapple Christmas Balls

Bring a taste of the tropics to your holiday table with these no-bake pineapple Christmas balls! 

Creamy, tangy, and coated in coconut, they’re perfect for adding a festive, unique touch to any gathering.

They’re simple to prepare and absolutely stunning. They look like little snowballs with a tropical twist!

Make them ahead and keep them chilled until guests arrive. Trust me, they’ll disappear faster than snow in Hawaii!

Why You’ll Love These Pineapple Christmas Balls

Easy Prep: These are 100% no-bake treats. They require minimal kitchen skills, and you can make them ahead of time! They’re the ideal choice for busy holiday schedules.

Stunning Presentation: The snow-white coconut coating creates beautiful, festive spheres. They look professionally made and add an elegant touch to any holiday table.

Tropical Festive Twist: These little balls bring a unique and unexpected holiday vibe. They combine bright, tropical flavors with a festive, snowy coconut coating. 

Ingredients 

• Crushed Pineapple: The absolute star of the show! They provide moisture, texture, and the tropical pineapple flavor. 

• Cream Cheese: The creamy binder to support the balls’ structure.

• Unsweetened, Desiccated Coconut: For a gentle sweetness and chewy texture. 

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: They hold the balls together and provide a subtle crispness and balanced flavor. 

• Pineapple-Flavored Gelatin Mix: It adds an extra boost of pineapple flavor and gives the balls their vibrant color.

How to Make Pineapple Christmas Balls

This recipe only takes a few steps to make.

1. Combine. Beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth. Then, fold in the drained pineapple, 1 cup desiccated coconut, graham cracker crumbs, and the gelatin mix. Stir well. 

2. Chill. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. 

3. Shape and coat. Scoop the chilled mixture by the tablespoon and roll each into a small ball. Roll each ball in the remaining coconut. Coat well. 

4. Chill and serve. Place the pineapple balls on a baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Pineapple Christmas Balls

Here are a few tips for perfect pineapple balls.

• Ditch the excess liquid. Excess moisture from the pineapples makes the mixture too wet. This makes it nearly impossible to roll into balls. Drain them well, using a fine mesh strainer if possible.

• Room temperature. I typically set the cream cheese out at least an hour ahead of time so it’s sufficiently room temperature. It makes mixing so much easier. 

• Don’t overmix! Fold in the ingredients one at a time and mix gently. Overmixing can change the texture of the final product. 

• Give them enough chill time. The recipe calls for an hour in the fridge for the first chilling period. If it isn’t firm enough to roll without sticking, leave it even longer! Also, let the finished balls chill for a while so they set firm. Serve chilled! 

• Work some batch bliss. Keep half of the mixture in the fridge while rolling the other half. That keeps it from softening too much at room temperature. 

• Try trusty gloves. Food-safe gloves will work well if the mixture is still slightly sticky. You can also lightly coat your hands with powdered sugar or coconut. 

Variations

Here are some recipe tweaks and variations if you want to mix things up a bit! 

• Get toasty! Lightly toast the coconut you plan to use for the coating for added flavor and visual contrast. Leave the coconut you mix in with the other ingredients untoasted. 

• Get a little nutty. Mix in a handful (or two) of your favorite nuts before chilling the mixture. Crush them finely so they won’t mess up the rolling process. 

• Add a chocolatey touch. Mini chocolate chips are another good add-in. Get the smallest ones you can find. (Chocolate sprinkles would also suffice.) Or you could drizzle the finished product with melted chocolate. 

• Experiment with extracts. Coconut extract will dial up the tropical sweetness. Almond extract will make the balls nuttier and earthier. Or add a splash of rum for a grown-up twist. 

• Make them your own. Need a vegan version? Use coconut cream instead of cream cheese. You’ll also need to substitute vegan gelatin and a splash of pineapple juice for extra flavor. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free graham crackers.

How to Store

Because of the cream cheese, these should be kept in the fridge. Here’s how to store your leftovers properly: 

To Store: Place the balls in an air-tight container with wax paper between layers. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. 

To Freeze: Flash-freeze the balls in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm. Then, freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.