Tiffany Haney
Cheese fondue is a fun, communal dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family. But what should you dip in this gooey, cheesy delight?
The most classic option is bread—especially crusty, toasted bread that can really soak up all that cheesy goodness. Think French baguettes, sourdough, or even pretzels. But if you're after something a little different, there are plenty of other options to choose from.
For a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese, try dipping crunchy vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or peppers. Or, for an indulgent treat, go for roasted potatoes, crispy bacon, or even meatballs.
If you're feeling adventurous, why not try something a little sweeter? Sliced apples and pears can complement the creaminess of the fondue, while grilled shrimp or lobster might take your taste buds on an unexpected journey.
So, whether you're a traditionalist or an experimentalist, there's something to dip for everyone when it comes to cheese fondue. Now, who's hungry?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, baguette, sourdough, rye bread, pumpernickel bread, brioche, whole wheat bread, olive bread, focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, naan, challah, breadsticks, bagels, English muffins, tortillas, pretzels, crackers |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, grapes, Granny Smith apples, Bosc pears |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, Cauliflower, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, mushrooms, green beans, baby potatoes, fingerling potatoes, French fries, tater tots, pearl onions, red onion, sweet onions, squash |
| Meat | Meatballs, beef, chicken, veal, beef jerky, salami, chorizo, soppressata, prosciutto, filet mignon, steak, sausages, cured meats, poached chicken, shrimp, salmon, lobster tail, crab legs, ahi tuna |
| Other | Pasta, pickles, cornichons, dill pickles, large pasta shapes, gherkins, radishes, fennel, pretzel bites, chips, tortilla chips, potato chips |
What You'll Learn
Bread
Types of Bread
While any type of bread will work, some are better suited for fondue than others. Here are some popular options:
- French baguette
- Sourdough
- Breadsticks
- Bagels
- Pretzels
- Focaccia
- Ciabatta
- Naan
- Challah
- Rye bread
- Pumpernickel bread
- Brioche
- Whole wheat bread
- Olive bread
- English muffins
- Tortillas
Preparation
Toasting your bread lightly before dipping it in the fondue is essential to prevent it from falling apart. Cut your bread into bite-sized cubes or slices that can easily be skewered. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even make your own bread from scratch!
Sweet Bread
Sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits can also pair well with cheese fondue. For a special treat, try making your own homemade pretzels. They're easier to make than you might think!
Dipping Etiquette
When it comes to dipping bread into fondue, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, don't overload your skewer with too much bread, as it can become heavy and difficult to dip. Second, be sure to dip slowly and carefully to avoid splashing or dropping any cheese. And finally, don't double-dip! It's considered poor etiquette and can also cause the bread to fall apart.
Fondue Pot
If you're using a fondue pot, be sure to choose one that is large enough to accommodate the number of guests you have. You may also want to consider the type of fondue pot, such as electric or ceramic, that best suits your needs.
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Meat
Poached chicken, grilled steak, and cooked ham are all good choices to dip in cheese fondue. Cut them into small cubes for easy dipping. Mini meatballs are another tasty option.
Cured meats, such as pepperoni, salami, and chorizo, are also worth considering. These tend to be a little spicier, so the flavour of the cheese will temper them.
For a special occasion, you could add steamed seafood to your fondue. Lightly steamed lobster, crab, or shrimp would be a decadent treat.
If you're looking for something a little different, why not try lamb? Succulent pieces of lamb shoulder, seasoned and seared, make a delicious and unique dipper for your cheese fondue.
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Seafood
Lobster tails, crab legs, and salmon
These luxurious seafood items can be taken to the next level when dipped in a warm, melted pot of cheese. The rich and indulgent combination is sure to be an unforgettable meal.
Shrimp
Grilled, roasted, or sautéed shrimp are a popular choice for cheese fondue. The lightly sweet and buttery flavours of shrimp pair well with a bold cheese fondue, especially one made with brandy or white wine. For an extra kick of flavour, cook the shrimp with some minced garlic and chopped parsley before dipping.
Scallops
Baked scallops are another seafood option that can be paired with cheese fondue. Scallops are delicate, so be gentle when dipping them into the cheese. Alternatively, you can spoon the cheese on top of the scallops to smother them in all that gooey goodness.
Tuna
Ahi tuna, in particular, is mentioned as a good pairing with cheese fondue.
Other seafood options
Other seafood items that can be dipped in cheese fondue include mussels, clams, and squid. Get creative and experiment with different types of seafood to find your favourite pairings!
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Vegetables
Broccoli and Cauliflower
You can serve broccoli and cauliflower raw or steamed. Steaming them beforehand can help smooth out their raw, bitter flavours.
Peppers
Peppers, especially bell peppers, are a colourful and tasty addition to any fondue. They are naturally sweet, which pairs surprisingly well with the savoury cheesiness of the fondue. Slice them into long strips so that they can be easily dunked into the cheese.
Potatoes
Pairing your fondue with crispy potatoes creates a combination similar to cheese fries. You can get creative and make homemade French fries, roasted or baked potatoes, or even potato chips. If you opt for chips, you can also try tortilla chips for some homemade nachos.
Asparagus
Asparagus can be served steamed.
Artichoke Hearts
Artichoke hearts can be served sautéed.
Mushrooms
Sliced Portobello mushrooms are another vegetable option for your fondue.
Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes provide a tasty, crunchy counterpoint to the fondue.
Green Beans
Green beans can be served steamed.
Squash
Squash can be served raw.
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Fruits
Fruit and cheese are a classic combination, and fondue is no exception. Fruits that pair well with cheese fondue include:
Apples
Granny Smith apples are a popular choice, as their crisp texture and tart flavour complement the creaminess of the fondue.
Pears
Bosc pears have undertones of nutmeg and cinnamon that can bring out the spices in many fondues.
Pineapple
Pineapple is another fruit that can be dipped in cheese fondue.
Grapes
Seedless grapes are a good option for fondue as they are easy to spear and are the perfect size for dipping.
Dried Fruit
Dried apricots and figs can also be served alongside cheese fondue for guests to spear and dip.
In addition to these fruits, some people also include apples and pears as part of their cheese fondue spread, so these fruits are certainly worth considering.
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Frequently asked questions
Good dippers for cheese fondue include bread, apples, broccoli, meatballs, sausage, chicken, steak, and shrimp.
Toasted bread is recommended to prevent it from falling apart. Good options include sourdough, French bread, rye bread, and bagels.
Yes, there are several vegetarian options for cheese fondue dippers, such as vegetables (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrots, tomatoes), fruits (e.g. apples, pears, grapes), and crackers or chips.
Yes, meat can be dipped in cheese fondue. Options include meatballs, sausage, chicken, steak, and shrimp. Just make sure the meat is fully cooked before dipping.
