Deviled Ham Cheese Ball

Every holiday party has one dish that empties before anyone touches the rest, and a pecan-crusted cheese ball is usually it. This one blends deviled ham into softened cream cheese with crushed pineapple, minced green pepper, and onion, then coats it a crushed pecans. The pineapple sets it apart, cutting the ham’s saltiness with just enough sweetness to keep people coming back for another cracker. It takes about 15 minutes of hands-on work, then chills on its own, making it an easy make-ahead appetizer for game day.

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A cheese ball is softened cream cheese mixed with something savory, shaped by hand, and rolled in a coating for crunch. This version uses canned deviled ham, which is ground ham blended with seasonings and spices, along with crushed pineapple, green bell pepper, white onion, and a few dashes of hot sauce.

Do not let the name put you off. Deviled ham has been on American grocery shelves since the 1860s, and the word deviled just means seasoned with something sharp or spicy. It is the same idea behind deviled eggs.

There is no cooking involved. You mix, shape, roll it in pecans, and chill it. The chill time is what turns a soft spread into something that holds a shape on a board, so it is the one step worth planning around.

What makes a Deviled Ham Cheese Ball so deliciously snackable?

Temperature is doing most of the work here, in both directions. Cream cheese straight from the refrigerator will not accept the other ingredients without leaving lumps, so it has to come to room temperature first. Then the shaped ball has to go back into the cold, because the fat in cream cheese needs to firm up again before it will hold a round shape under a spreader.

The flavor balance is the other reason this keeps working. Deviled ham is salty and dense on its own. Crushed pineapple brings sweetness and acid, the green pepper and onion add fresh sharpness, and the hot sauce contributes vinegar more than heat. Each one pulls against the salt, which is why people take a second cracker instead of stopping after one.

Ingredients for this Ham Cheese Ball recipe

• Deviled ham – Canned ground ham blended with seasonings; it carries the savory, salty backbone of the whole cheese ball.
• Cream cheese – The base that binds everything together and lets the ball hold its shape once it is chilled.
• Crushed pineapple – Adds sweetness and acidity that cut through the salt of the ham.
• Green bell pepper – Brings a fresh, grassy crunch against all that softness.
• White onion – Adds a sharp aromatic note that keeps the mixture from tasting flat.
• Hot sauce – Contributes vinegar and a little heat to brighten the cream cheese.
• Pecans – The coating, for toasty crunch and a surface that makes the ball easy to handle.

Ingredient Notes

• Deviled ham is the dominant flavor, so use a brand you actually like. Underwood has been making it since the 1860s, but other brands are worth trying, and you can grind your own seasoned ham if you prefer.
• Drain the crushed pineapple thoroughly, pressing it against the side of the strainer. Trapped juice is the most common reason a cheese ball refuses to firm up.
• Let the cream cheese sit out until it gives easily under a spoon. Microwaving it makes it slick and loose instead of creamy.
• Mince the pepper and onion very fine. Large pieces tear the surface when you roll the ball in the pecans.

The key to a perfect cheese ball is temperature control – room temperature ingredients for mixing, but proper chilling for serving.

How to make a cheese ball with ham

To make this deviled cheese ball recipe:

1. Set the cream cheese on the counter to soften while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
2. Finely mince the white onion and green pepper.
3. Drain the crushed pineapples.
4. Add all the ingredients except for the crushed pecans to a mixing bowl.

5. Stir the mixture to combine well.
6. If you want, chill the mixture to make shaping easier. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes before continuing.
7. Use a silicone bowl scraper to turn the mixture onto a clean, dry work surface.
8. Wet your hands slightly and shape the mixture into a ball.

9. Spread a layer of crushed pecans onto a wax paper-lined rimmed baking tray.
10. Coat the ball with crushed pecans by rolling it on the baking tray.
11. Place the coated deviled ham and cream cheese ball on the baking tray and cover with plastic wrap.
12. Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Ingredient substitutions and recipe variations

• Swap out the green peppers for pickled jalapeños for an extra kick.
• Use Neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese for a slightly lower-fat version.
• Replace the deviled ham with other meats. Cooked bacon is a great substitute. Another possibility is to replace the deviled ham and pineapples with chipped beef and finely shredded cheddar cheese for a Philly Cheesesteak Ball.
• Make a vegetarian version using plant-based bacon bits instead of deviled ham. 
• Add a tablespoon of sliced green onions to the cream cheese mixture for a flavor boost.
• Make multiple ham and cheese balls. Serve one at a time and keep the others fresh in the fridge. 
• Forming the mixture into a thin log instead of a ball makes slicing and serving easier. 

Equipment You Will Need 

Any decently stocked kitchen will have everything you need to make this recipe. The only additional, nice-to-have item is a silicone bowl scraper like one of these from KitchenAid. Get a set of cute cheese spreaders for a bit of fun, but regular butter knives work just as well. 

What to serve with the ham cheese ball 

Be sure to have plenty of crackers, pretzels, pita chips, and toasted bread on hand.

You may also want to offer some crudites, including carrot, cucumber, celery sticks, pepper strips, broccoli, or cauliflower for any guests who wish to cut back on carbs.

How to store leftovers 

The ingredients in the ham cheese ball recipe can go bad after only a few hours at room temperature. Therefore, keeping any remaining cheese ball after serving is not a good idea.

However, if you want to prepare this recipe in advance, you can store the ball covered in plastic wrap in the fridge.

A wrapped Deviled Ham Cheese Ball will last up to two days before getting soggy.

More cheese ball and cheese appetizer recipes

• Baked Goat Cheese
• French Onion Cheese Ball
• Dried Beef Cheese Ball
• Marinated Cheese
• Smoked Gouda Cheese Dip

Check out more cheesy appetizers to make for your next party or game day.