Hawaiian Ham Balls with Pineapple Glaze

This Hawaiian Ham Balls recipe combines sweet and tangy pineapple with tender, savory meat for an appetizer or main course everyone will enjoy. Glazed with a brown sugar pineapple sauce, these ham balls are made from ground ham and pork, graham cracker crumbs, crushed pineapple, and simple pantry ingredients for a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing dish.

Classic and comforting, Hawaiian ham balls are a retro favorite you might find in a family cookbook. They deliver a balanced mix of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors thanks to crushed pineapple, tomato soup, and brown sugar in the glaze. Serve them over rice for a satisfying main dish or offer smaller portions on toothpicks as an appetizer at parties and potlucks.

Why You’ll Love These Pineapple-Glazed Ham Balls

• Versatile: Serve them over steamed rice for a hearty meal or place them on pineapple rings or toothpicks as easy party bites.
• Great for entertaining: This recipe scales well for potlucks, holidays, or family gatherings and is simple to prepare ahead of time.
• Full of flavor: The pineapple and brown sugar glaze brings a tropical sweetness that complements the savory meat mixture, while graham cracker crumbs help keep the texture tender.

What Goes Into Ham Balls?

Ground pork: Readily available at most grocery stores and provides a juicy base.
Ground ham: You can buy ground ham or make your own by pulsing cubed ham in a food processor if needed.
Graham cracker crumbs: These add a touch of sweetness and absorb moisture; honey graham crackers work nicely.
Eggs: Help bind the mixture and add moisture.
Crushed pineapple: Use the fruit and reserve the juice for the sauce—don’t discard the liquid.

Sauce Ingredients

Pineapple juice: Use the reserved juice from the crushed pineapple.
Tomato soup: Adds a savory base and body to the glaze.
Brown sugar: The source of the glaze’s caramelized sweetness.
Dry mustard: Adds a subtle tang and depth to the sauce.
Soy sauce: Contributes saltiness and umami; low-sodium is a fine choice.
Cornstarch and water: Mixed to thicken the glaze into a glossy finish.

Are Ground Ham and Ground Pork the Same?

They are not the same. Ground ham is cured and has a distinct flavor and salt content, while ground pork is fresh and milder. You can combine both for the best texture and flavor in these ham balls.

How to Make Hawaiian Ham Balls

Quick overview: Combine the meats with graham cracker crumbs, eggs, and crushed pineapple. Form into uniform balls, bake briefly, pour the pineapple-brown sugar sauce over them, and finish baking until they reach a safe internal temperature.

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). In a large bowl, combine the ground ham and ground pork with graham cracker crumbs, eggs, and the drained crushed pineapple. Mix just until combined.

Step 2

Use a 1/3-cup measuring cup to portion the mixture for evenly sized meatballs (this size works well for a meal). For appetizer-sized bites, use a smaller cookie scoop or spoon.

While the meatballs rest, prepare the sauce.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, tomato soup, brown sugar, dry mustard, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water until smooth. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in a shallow 9×13-inch baking dish and bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Pour the prepared sauce over the meatballs and continue baking for another 30 minutes, basting once or twice so the glaze thickens and coats the ham balls. After one hour total baking time, confirm the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption. Serve warm over rice or as appetizer bites.

Tips and Storage

• If you only have cubed ham, pulse it in a food processor to approximate ground ham.
• Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
• To freeze, place cooled ham balls in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to four months; thaw overnight before reheating.

Recipe

These Hawaiian ham balls are an easy, nostalgic recipe that brings bright pineapple flavor and sweet glaze to tender meatballs—perfect for family dinners and festive gatherings. Enjoy!