Fondue Dips: Can You Buy Them Ready-Made?

Fondue is a fun, communal dish that involves dipping items into a communal pot of gooey, warm, melted cheese or chocolate. While you can make your own fondue dips, there are also many options available to buy. For cheese fondue, dippers can include cubes of bread, apple slices, and raw vegetables. For chocolate fondue, typical dippers include strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzels. However, if you want to take your fondue experience up a notch, there are many other creative options to explore.

Dipping options for cheese fondue

Cheese fondue is a blend of different cheeses, wine, and seasonings heated until they turn into a melted dip. It is usually served with bite-sized pieces of dippers. Here are some options for what you can dip in your cheese fondue:

Bread

Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue as it soaks up all the cheesy goodness. You can use sourdough bread, French bread, rye bread, pumpernickel bread, brioche, whole wheat bread, olive bread, focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, naan, or challah. Breadsticks, bagels, English muffins, and tortillas are also good options.

Vegetables

Vegetables can be served raw, steamed, or roasted. Good options include broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, mushrooms, green beans, potatoes, onions, and squash.

Crackers and Chips

Wheat crackers, pita chips, potato chips, and tortilla chips are all tasty options that can be dipped in cheese fondue.

Fruit

Sliced apples, pears, and grapes complement the creaminess of the cheese fondue well.

Meat

Bite-sized pieces of cooked meat such as marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken, prime rib, mini-meatballs, beef jerky, miniature smoked sausages, duck breast, ham, salami, chorizo, pepperoni, prosciutto, or soppressata can be dipped in cheese fondue.

Seafood

Cooked shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, and Ahi tuna are good choices for seafood lovers.

Other Options

Other options for cheese fondue dippers include pickles, potstickers, pasta (especially ravioli), roasted jalapeño peppers, and large pasta shapes such as shells, fusilli, or rigatoni.

Dipping options for chocolate fondue

Chocolate fondue is a great way to bring people together, whether it's for a romantic dinner or a fun get-together with friends. While it's a simple concept, there are endless possibilities when it comes to choosing what to dip in that chocolatey goodness. Here are some dipping options to get you started:

Fruits

Fresh or dried fruits are a classic choice for chocolate fondue. Strawberries are often seen as the most romantic option, but you can also try other berries like blackberries or raspberries. Tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and papaya will add a sweet and juicy touch to your fondue experience. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also dip dried apricots, mango, or papaya for an extra burst of flavour.

Cookies and Biscuits

Small cookies or biscuits are perfect for dipping in chocolate fondue. Oreos, gingernut biscuits, custard creams, biscotti, and shortbread are all great options. For an extra indulgent treat, try dipping buttery shortbread cookies or brownies. If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own brownies or cookies from scratch.

Marshmallows

Marshmallows and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Go for larger marshmallows as they are easier to dip. You can even make your own marshmallows if you're feeling ambitious. Don't forget to try making s'mores by smooshing a marshmallow between two graham crackers!

Pretzels and Potato Chips

The salty and crunchy texture of pretzels and potato chips pairs perfectly with the sweetness of chocolate fondue. Go for sturdy options like pretzel rods and wavy chips, which can handle the weight of the chocolate without breaking.

Cheesecake and Cake

Cut up a large cheesecake into bite-sized squares, or use pound cake cubes for dipping. You can also dip mini cakes, cupcakes, or small cake slices. If you're feeling creative, try making your own cake from scratch or experimenting with different flavours of cheesecake.

Nuts

Any kind of nut would be a great addition to your chocolate fondue spread. However, larger nuts like almonds or hazelnuts might be easier to skewer and dip. You can even roll nuts in chocolate-dipped treats like cookies or marshmallows for an extra indulgent treat.

Other Sweet Treats

There are endless options when it comes to sweet treats that you can dip in chocolate fondue. Some other ideas include Rice Krispie treats, mini donuts, mini pancakes, waffles, honeycomb, fudge, and candy bars. You can even dip slices of angel food cake or vanilla wafers. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of sweet and salty flavours!

The best types of bread for cheese fondue

When it comes to cheese fondue, the best type of bread to use is crusty bread. This is because it is the best at soaking up all the cheesy goodness. Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue.

If you're feeling ambitious, you could try making your own baguettes or a simple, no-knead peasant loaf. However, store-bought options such as sourdough loaves also work well. French bread, breadsticks, and croutons are always popular choices, but don't be afraid to branch out and try something different like a rustic cranberry walnut loaf.

To get the most out of your bread, lightly toast it before cutting it into large cubes. This will help it hold up better when dipped into the thick, warm cheese.

In addition to bread, you can also dip vegetables, cured meats, grilled steak, poached chicken, and even fruit into your cheese fondue.

How to prepare your fondue dips

Bread

Bread is a classic fondue dip, and for good reason. It's delicious, and its starchy texture is perfect for soaking up all that cheesy goodness. The best bread for fondue is crusty bread, like a baguette or sourdough. Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes so that it can be easily skewered and doesn't fall apart in the fondue.

Fruits

While it may seem like an unusual pairing, fruit and cheese can be a match made in heaven when it comes to fondue. The key is to choose fruits that have a tart or crisp flavour to complement the creaminess of the cheese. Granny Smith apples and Bosc pears are excellent options, as their flavours bring out the spices in many fondues. Be sure to cut the fruits into bite-sized pieces or cubes to make dipping easier.

Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to add a fresh and healthy element to your fondue spread. Broccoli and cauliflower are popular choices and can be served raw or lightly steamed. Other options include bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try steamed carrots, celery, or green beans.

Meat

Cooked bite-sized pieces of meat are a hearty addition to your fondue spread. Fully cook the meat before dipping to avoid any rare or medium-rare pieces bleeding into the melted cheese. Marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken, and mini-meatballs are all excellent choices. You can also use cured meats like salami, chorizo, or pepperoni, or even cooked shrimp.

Other Options

In addition to the classic options, there are plenty of other creative dips you can try. Crackers, pretzels, and chips can add a crunchy texture to your fondue experience. Potatoes, either roasted baby potatoes or potato chips, are another tasty option. For a unique twist, try dipping pickles, pasta shapes like ravioli or rigatoni, or even roasted jalapeño peppers.

Remember to cut all your dips into bite-sized pieces before serving, and have fun experimenting with different combinations of cheeses and dips to find your perfect match!

Fondue pots and serving suggestions

Fondue is a fun and interactive dining experience that is perfect for parties or romantic nights in. While you can buy pre-made fondue dips, you can also make your own. Fondue pots are available in a variety of materials, sizes, and heat sources, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Here are some options for fondue pots and serving suggestions:

Fondue Pots:

• Electric Fondue Pots: These are convenient and simple to use, with adjustable temperature settings. The Cuisinart Electric Fondue Pot is a popular choice, with eight heat settings and a removable non-stick coated pot for easy cleanup.
• Traditional Fondue Pots: These use an open flame or gel fuel as a heat source and are usually made of cast iron or enameled cast iron. The Swissmar Lugano 9-Piece Cheese Fondue Set is a beautiful and sturdy option in the traditional Swiss style.
• Cast Iron Fondue Pots: Cast iron fondue pots, such as the Cuisinart 13-Piece Cast Iron Fondue Set, are versatile and sturdy. They can withstand high temperatures and are suitable for meat, cheese, or chocolate fondue.
• Ceramic Fondue Pots: Ceramic fondue pots, like the Boska Choco Marie Fondue Pot, are great for chocolate fondue as they diffuse heat and prevent scorching.

Serving Suggestions:

When it comes to serving fondue, the possibilities are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cheese Fondue: The traditional Swiss cheese fondue is made with a blend of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and/or fontina cheese, dry white wine, and a touch of Kirschwasser (cherry brandy). For dipping, you can use crusty bread, raw or lightly cooked vegetables, cured meats, seafood, steak, crackers, or potatoes.
• Chocolate Fondue: For chocolate fondue, melt semisweet or dark chocolate chips with heavy cream and a touch of vanilla extract. Serve with berries, bananas, pears, orange segments, marshmallows, cake, cookies, or candy bars.
• Other Types of Fondue: Fondue pots can also be used for hot oil or broth fondue, cooking meat, vegetables, or thin slices of meat. You can also use your fondue pot to serve warm dips, soups, or gravy.

Frequently asked questions