Description
These Pineapple Balls are a delightful no-bake treat combining crushed pineapple, cream cheese, pineapple-flavored gelatin, and crunchy graham crackers, all coated with unsweetened coconut flakes. Perfect as a refreshing and sweet snack or dessert, these bite-sized balls are easy to prepare, chilled to perfection, and served cold for a tropical burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 20 ounce can crushed pineapple (very well drained)
- 8 ounce package cream cheese (softened)
- 3 ounce package pineapple flavored gelatin mix (e.g., Jell-O brand)
- ¾ cup finely crushed graham crackers
- 2¼ cups unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Drain pineapple: Use a fine mesh sieve to drain as much liquid from the canned crushed pineapple as possible to prevent sogginess in the mixture.
- Prepare cream cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Beat cream cheese: Use a handheld mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese for about 1 minute until smooth and free of lumps.
- Add gelatin: Sprinkle the pineapple-flavored gelatin over the cream cheese and continue mixing on medium speed just until combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Stir in the finely crushed graham cracker crumbs and the well-drained crushed pineapple until the mixture is well incorporated.
- Chill mixture: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the mixture to firm up for easy scooping and rolling.
- Prepare rolling station: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the unsweetened coconut flakes into a shallow bowl.
- Form balls: Remove the chilled mixture from the refrigerator. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the mixture and roll it into a ball with your hands.
- Coat in coconut: Roll each ball in the unsweetened coconut flakes, ensuring they’re fully coated, and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Refrigerate until serving: Keep the pineapple balls refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain firmness and freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the pineapple is very well drained to keep the mixture firm and not watery.
- Softened cream cheese mixes more easily and results in a smoother texture.
- Using a cookie scoop helps create uniform-sized balls for even presentation.
- These pineapple balls are best served chilled and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a fun variation, try rolling the balls in chopped nuts instead of coconut flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
