Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip or Bruschetta

Sweet, savoury, and utterly festive: this Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip (which also makes an excellent bruschetta topping) is a luxurious appetizer perfect for Christmas and winter entertaining. It features rich caramelized onions, smoky pancetta, roasted chestnuts, rosemary, nutmeg, and a hint of orange zest – creating a flavour combination that’s complex, cozy, and irresistibly seasonal.

Hey, folks – I hope you’re all doing well and embracing the holiday spirit!

This Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip or Bruschetta is everything you want in a Christmas appetizer – aromatic, rich, and beautifully balanced between sweet and savoury. Whether served warm as a dip or piled over toasted baguette slices, it’s an easy way to bring a touch of indulgence and festive flair to your table.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip

• Festive and flavourful: A perfect mix of caramelized onions, pancetta, rosemary, and chestnuts with warm holiday spices.
• Sweet and savoury harmony: Chestnuts bring mild sweetness, while pancetta adds salty, smoky richness.
• Elegant appetizer: Serve as a warm dip or spooned over crostini for holiday gatherings and parties.
• Aromatic and cozy: Infused with orange zest, pomegranate molasses, and nutmeg – it smells like the holidays in a pan.
• Versatile: Works beautifully as part of a cheese board, on toast, or even alongside roasted meats.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip delivers layers of flavour – sweet onions, buttery chestnuts, and smoky pancetta in every bite. The rosemary and nutmeg add aromatic depth, while the orange zest provides a refreshing contrast. The result is velvety, rich, and balanced – festive comfort food that feels elegant and homey all at once.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

• Sweet onions: Caramelized slowly to bring out natural sweetness and depth.
• Pancetta: Adds savoury saltiness and a hint of smokiness – essential for balance.
• Chestnuts: The star of the dish; soft, nutty, and luxurious, giving the dip body and warmth.
• Olive oil and butter: For richness and to help the onions and pancetta caramelize beautifully.
• Pomegranate molasses: Adds tangy-sweet complexity; you can substitute honey or maple syrup for milder sweetness.
• Balsamic vinegar: Enhances caramelization and deepens the festive flavour profile.
• Fresh rosemary: Earthy and aromatic, pairing beautifully with chestnuts and pancetta.
• Nutmeg: Adds subtle warmth and spice — a perfect touch for the holidays.
• Orange zest and juice: Bring brightness and a subtle citrus note that lifts the richness.
• Salt and pepper: Round out the flavours to perfection.

How to Enjoy This Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip?

You can serve this Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip in several delicious ways. Enjoy it warm as a chunky dip alongside crostini, crackers, or breadsticks for a cozy, festive appetizer. It also works beautifully as a condiment – spoon a bit over roasted meats, poultry, or even mashed potatoes to add a touch of sweet-savory richness. Or turn it into elegant bruschetta by spreading it over toasted baguette slices and topping with a few pomegranate arils or crumbled cheese for colour and contrast.

More Festive Appetizers for the Holidays

Are you looking for more festive appetizer ideas, just like this Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip? Be sure to check more recipes:

• Festive Cheese and Chestnut Biscuits – Holiday Savoury Treat
• Christmas Lingonberry Brie Naan Pizza: A Festive Appetizer
• Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
• Brussels Sprouts Chestnut Dip (or Bruschetta)
• Mini Cheese Balls

I’d love for you to try this Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip. If you give the recipe a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts!

Cheers!

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Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip or Bruschetta

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Christmas, Festive Cheese and Appetizers, Bruschetta and Toasts

Servings

8-12

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Festive Chestnut Pancetta Dip with caramelized onions, rosemary, and orange – a rich holiday appetizer or elegant bruschetta topping.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 4 medium sweet onions, sliced

• 125-150 gr. pancetta, cubed

• 300-350 gr. cooked peeled chestnuts

• 1 tsp. olive oil

• 1 tbsp. butter + 1 tsp. more, optional

• 1/2 tbsp. pomegranate molasses (or maple syrup or honey)

• 1/2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

• 1/2 to 2/3 tbsp. minced rosemary

• 1/2 whole nutmeg, grated

• juice and zest of one medium orange

• salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

• Heat a large pan over low-medium heat with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter. Add the onions, slightly season with the salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, for about 10-12 minutes, until they are soft and slightly turning beige colour but not browning. If necessary, reduce the heat to lowest.
• Add the pancetta, rosemary, and nutmeg and cook for another 10 minutes.
• Stir in the pomegranate molasses (maple or honey) and balsamic vinegar. Cook 1 minute.
• Crumble the chestnuts and stir in, cook for 1 minute.
• Add in the orange zest and juice. Simmer for about 4-5 minutes. Try and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Optionally, you can add another spoon of butter for a silkier and richer texture.
• Off heat and allow to cook ~10-15 minutes before serving. In my opinion, it is best to serve it slightly warm or at room temperature, but you may like it even cold. Enjoy on bruschetta, as a dip or even a side. Keep the leftovers refrigerated in a container for up 5 days.