Cheese Fondue: What Sides Should You Serve?

Cheese fondue is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and dippers. The traditional pairing is stale bread, but there are many more options to enjoy this treat today. Cured meats, baby potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fresh vegetables all complement the rich and creamy cheese fondue.

Characteristics	Values
Traditional pairing	Stale Bread
Other options	Cured meats, baby Potatoes, fresh Vegetables
Bread types	Herbed beer bread, sourdough focaccia, rosemary parmesan bread, cornbread
Salads	Citrus and arugula salad, apple fennel radish salad, lemon arugula salad with pine nuts
Potato types	Air fryer roasted potatoes, sweet potato cubes, potato wedges, garlic parsley fries
Meat types	Grilled beef or chicken
Vegetable types	Broccoli, Cauliflower, roasted shishito peppers, Asparagus, Zucchini, Green beans, Bell peppers, roasted brussels sprouts
Fruit types	Granny Smith Apples, Bosc Pears, Pineapple, Pears

Bread and crackers

When choosing a bread to serve with fondue, crusty bread is usually the best option. It is perfect for soaking up all the cheesy goodness. You can make your own fresh baguettes or simple, no-knead peasant bread, or opt for a store-bought sourdough loaf. Sourdough focaccia is another good option, with its soft, spongy texture that is perfect for enjoying with a generous dollop of fondue. If you want to get creative, you can adorn your focaccia with herbs and vegetables of your choice to add extra flavour and texture.

If you're looking for something simpler, crackers are also a great option for dipping into fondue. They provide a crunchy texture and can be easily picked up and dunked into the pot of warm, gooey cheese.

In addition to bread and crackers, you might want to consider serving some other sides with your fondue to round out the meal. Cured meats, baby potatoes, and fresh vegetables all pair well with fondue. For a fresh element to balance out the richness of the dish, consider a citrus and arugula salad or a tropical mango coleslaw.

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Salads

Green Salads:

These are a classic choice to serve on the side. They typically consist of leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, and can be topped with a variety of vegetables, nuts, and seeds. A carrot and apple salad is a great option to pair with cheese fondue.

Vegetable Salads:

Vegetable salads add a variety of flavors and textures to your meal. They can be made with any combination of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and bell peppers. You can also include steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets, or roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips.

Fruit Salads:

Fruit and cheese are a classic combination, and the same goes for fondue. Crisp and tart Granny Smith apples complement the creaminess of the fondue, while Bosc pears' nutmeg and cinnamon undertones bring out the spices often found in fondues.

Pasta Salads:

Pasta salads can be a great option, especially if there are children at the table. Choose a pasta shape with nooks and crevices, like shells or fusilli, so that the pasta can soak up the fondue.

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Meat

In addition, some cheeses contain red or yellow food colouring, which may not be to everyone's taste. Having grilled meat as a side option provides a visually appealing alternative for those who are not fans of these colours.

When serving meat as a side dish with cheese fondue, consider the following options:

Cooked sliced hot sausage
Salty and spicy cured meats like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo
Juicy filet mignon
Meatballs (beef, chicken, veal, or vegetarian)

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Vegetables

Raw vegetables are a great, healthy option to dip into the fondue. Try bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, or mushrooms. You can also dip breaded and fried vegetables, like zucchini or green beans, into the fondue.

If you want to serve steamed vegetables, lightly steam broccoli, cauliflower, or asparagus to smooth out their raw, bitter flavors.

Roasted vegetables are another great option. Try roasted asparagus, potatoes, brussels sprouts, or zucchini. You can also roast shishito peppers, which have a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with the fondue.

Finally, boiled vegetables are a simple and healthy option. Boil or parboil carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower and serve them with the fondue. You can also add butter to create a creamier texture.

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Sweet treats

While cheese fondue is often served as a savoury dish, it can also be paired with sweet treats. Here are some ideas for sweet side dishes to serve with your fondue:

Fruits

Fresh fruits such as apples and pears are a perfect match for cheese fondue. The crunchy, crisp tartness of Granny Smith apples or the nutmeg and cinnamon undertones of Bosc pears complement the creaminess of the fondue. Cut the fruits into slices or cubes for easy dipping.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a classic pairing with cheese, and for good reason. The sweetness of chocolate balances the savoury, salty notes of the cheese. Try dipping cubes of fudge brownie or chocolate cake into the fondue for an indulgent treat.

Sweet Breads

Sweet breads such as banana bread, zucchini bread, or cinnamon raisin bread can also be a delicious pairing with cheese fondue. The sweetness of the bread creates an interesting contrast with the savoury cheese.

Sweet Crackers and Biscuits

Sweet crackers or biscuits, such as graham crackers or ginger snaps, can also be a tasty option for dipping into cheese fondue. The sweetness and spice of these crackers can complement the creaminess of the fondue.

Honey

For a simple yet delicious pairing, try drizzling a little honey over your cheese fondue. The sweetness of the honey will balance the savoury notes of the cheese, creating a harmonious flavour combination.