Festive Pistachio Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball: The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer

If you’re searching for an easy yet elegant festive holiday cheese ball, this Pistachio Cranberry Bacon version is a true show-stopper. Loaded with creamy cheese, smoky bacon, and jewel-like cranberries, it’s the perfect appetizer to brighten your Christmas or New Year’s table – delicious, make-ahead, and effortlessly fancy.

This post was first published in December 2019. Last updated in October, 2025.

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Today, I’m thrilled to share something delightfully savory, crunchy, creamy, and irresistibly festive – this Festive Pistachio Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball. It’s the ultimate holiday appetizer, perfect for your Christmas or New Year’s gathering. Sweet-tart cranberries, smoky bacon, and buttery pistachios come together in one decadent bite. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or grazing by the fireplace with a glass of wine, this cheese ball will steal the spotlight on your holiday table.

Why You’ll Love This Festive Holiday Cheese Ball

• Festive flavours: The combination of pistachios, cranberries, and bacon feels luxuriously Christmassy without being over the top.
• Crowd-pleasing: Creamy, tangy, and salty-sweet – everyone loves it!
• Make-ahead: Prepare it a day ahead and simply roll before serving.
• Beautiful presentation: That green-red-gold crust makes it a show-stopper.
• Perfect pairing: Pairs beautifully with wine, crackers, and holiday cocktails.

Festive Pistachio Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball: Flavour & Texture Profile

This cheese ball is all about balance: smoky bacon adds depth, dried cranberries bring sweetness, pistachios give crunch and colour, and the creamy cheese base ties everything together. Each slice is rich yet surprisingly light – exactly what you want in a festive holiday cheese ball. The blend of textures makes every bite feel indulgent and merry.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Cheese Ball

• Shredded cheddar: Smoked cheddar works wonderfully here, adding a deep, savoury note. Regular or aged cheddar will also do nicely.
• Cream cheese: The base that brings everything together. Use full-fat for the best texture and flavour.
• Bacon: Roughly cut and cooked until crisp; it adds a rich, smoky depth that balances the sweetness of cranberries and the creaminess of the cheese.
• Dried cranberries: Provide sweetness and a pop of festive red. Substitute with chopped dried cherries or pomegranate arils.
• Pistachios: Add crunch, colour, and buttery flavour. Walnuts or pecans also work beautifully.
• Smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky bacon flavour and adds gentle warmth.
• Freshly grated nutmeg: A festive spice that ties the flavours together with a cozy undertone.
• Zest of one small clementine: Adds citrus brightness and a fragrant holiday lift.
• Herbs: Fresh thyme and rosemary gives a holiday fragrance and a fresh finish.

How to Make the Festive Holiday Cheese Ball

It’s easy to make this Festive Holiday Cheese Ball with pistachios, cranberries and bacon.

First, cook the bacon until crispy and cool.

In a bowl, mix softened cheeses until smooth and creamy. Add chopped cranberries, crumbled bacon, and a touch of honey (if using). Mix until combined. Shape into a ball using cling wrap and chill. Once chilled, spread more cream cheese over the cheese ball (this works as the glue for the toppings) and roll the ball in chopped pistachios, bacon, and pomegranate to coat. Chill and enjoy!

Serving & Storage Tips

This holiday cheese ball appetizer tastes best served slightly chilled. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days – though, honestly, you might not have any! It’s ideal for prepping in advance for Christmas Eve or New Year’s gatherings.

More Festive Cheese Appetizers

• Mini Cheese Balls (Festive Christmas Cheese Balls)
• Antipasto Cheese Ball (Cheese Ball for Holidays)
• Almond Cranberry Cheese Ball (Christmas Cheese Ball)

I’d love for you to try this festive holiday cheese ball with pistachios and pomegranate. 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!

Festive Pistachio Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball: The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

This festive holiday cheese ball with pistachios, cranberries, pomegranate, and bacon is the ultimate Christmas appetizer!

Course: Christmas, Festive Cheese and Appetizers, Cheese Dips and Spreads

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Servings

12-18

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Chilling time

60

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. (5 ml.) olive oil

• 125-150 g bacon, roughly cut into pieces

• 2 tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

• 2 cups (240 g) shredded cheddar, preferably smoked

• 2 cups (450 g) cream cheese

• 3 tbsp. (45 g) cream cheese (for the outside layer)

• 1/4 cup (40 g) dried cranberries, chopped roughly

• about 2/3 cup (85 g) pistachios, roughly chopped and divided

• 1 tsp. fresh thyme

• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

• ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

• zest of 1 small clementine

• ½ cup (85 g) pomegranate arils

Directions

• Heat the olive oil in a pan and cook the bacon over high-medium heat, 3 minutes. Add the rosemary and cook for about 3-5 minutes, until everything is nice and crisp. Off heat and transfer the bacon on paper towel to absorb the excessive fat. Cool then crumble into smaller pieces. Set aside
• In a large bowl combine the cream cheese (2 cups) and cheddar until well-mixed.
• Stir in the cranberries, 3 tbsp. of the pistachios, thyme, smoked paprika, nutmeg, and zest of the clementine.
• Add about ½ of the crispy bacon. Mix well and try – most likely you won’t need extra seasonings as the cheddar and bacon are salty enough, but this is up to you.
• The mixture will remain very soft and sticky. Shape the mixture into a ball (it won’t be perfect at this moment), cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
• Remove from the fridge and now it’s time to shape it once again into a ball. It might not be impeccable because the mixture is relatively soft.
• Thinly spread 3 tbsp. of cream cheese or regular as your outer layer – it works as glue for the remaining ingredients.
• In a plate combine the pomegranate seeds, remaining bacon, and rosemary. Rotating the cheese ball, roll the mixture into it, gently pressing.
• 
  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Enjoy!