Amish Ham Balls With Pineapple Glaze

These Amish ham balls are a fun twist on traditional Amish ham loaf. Made with ground ham and beef, they have a sweet and savory flavor and are shaped into individual meatballs.

A sweet and tangy pineapple glaze adds another layer of flavor as the ham balls bake. Serve them as a main dish with mashed potatoes or rice and vegetables, or make them for a potluck, holiday meal, or family gathering.

Why You'll Love These Amish Ham Balls

• Sweet and savory flavor - Ground ham and beef are paired with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze.
• A fun twist on meatballs - These are a delicious change from the usual beef meatballs and bring a unique flavor to the table.
• Great for gatherings - Make a batch for family dinners, potlucks, holiday meals, or other gatherings.

Ingredient Notes & Variations

• Ground meat: Use 1 pound of boneless ham, such as a ham steak, and grind it in a food processor. Pair it with 1 pound of ground beef that's around 80% lean. Ground pork sausage can be substituted for the beef.
• Breadcrumbs: I use panko breadcrumbs because they give the ham balls a lighter texture. Regular breadcrumbs can also be used, but they absorb moisture a little differently and may make the mixture slightly firmer. If the mixture seems too dry, add a small splash of extra milk. For a slightly sweeter flavor, you can use graham cracker crumbs instead.
• Mustard: You can substitute prepared mustard for the dry mustard. Use about 1 tablespoon of prepared mustard for each teaspoon of dry mustard.
• Pineapple: If you don't care for pineapple, substitute 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce or tomato soup for the pineapple juice in the ham ball mixture. For the glaze, you can make a tomato-based version by replacing the crushed pineapple with tomato sauce or tomato soup.

How to Make Glazed Ham Balls

1. Grind the ham. Cut the boneless ham into small chunks. Working in batches if needed, pulse the ham in a food processor (I use my Ninja chopper/blender) until finely ground. Be careful not to process it into a paste.
2. Make the ham ball mixture. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pineapple juice, dry mustard, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the panko breadcrumbs and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to absorb some of the liquid.
3. Add the meat. Add the ground ham and ground beef to the bowl. Gently mix until everything is evenly combined. Don't overmix, or the ham balls may become dense.
4. Shape the ham balls. Form the mixture into approximately 24 balls and arrange them in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Try to keep them similar in size so they cook evenly.
5. Make the pineapple glaze. Combine the brown sugar, dry mustard, vinegar, and crushed pineapple in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the first layer of glaze. Spoon or pour about half of the pineapple glaze over the ham balls. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil.
7. Bake. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.
8. Add the remaining glaze. Remove the foil and spoon the remaining glaze over the ham balls. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for another 10 minutes, or until the ham balls are cooked through (the center reaches 160°F.).
9. Serve. Spoon some of the pineapple glaze from the pan over the ham balls and serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amish Cooking and Making the Most of What You Have

I grew up Amish, and Pennsylvania Dutch ham loaf was a familiar meal in our home. Ground hot dogs were sometimes used in place of some of the meat because they were an inexpensive way to stretch a meal. Making good food with what you had on hand was simply part of cooking.

That is one reason I like recipes like these Amish ham balls. They are made with simple ingredients, and you can adjust the meat based on what you have available. Ground pork can replace the beef, and finely ground hot dogs can also be used as a variation. Making the most of what you have is a common part of everyday Amish cooking.

These Amish ham balls are a flavorful main dish that's easy to make and great for family meals and gatherings. The sweet and tangy pineapple glaze gives them a delicious flavor that pairs well with mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, a pot of rice, and other sides.

I hope your family enjoys this ham ball recipe as much as mine does! If you try this recipe, I'd love it if you left a comment and star rating below. Thank you!