Marianne Martinez
Fondue is a timeless dish, perfect for a cozy gathering or a fun-filled party. It's all about dipping and sharing, and the possibilities for dippers are endless! But choosing the right accompaniments can make all the difference. Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue, with French bread, sourdough, bagels, and pretzels being common choices. For a more filling meal, crispy potatoes, meatballs, and poached chicken are also popular options. If you're looking for something healthier, broccoli, bell peppers, and other vegetables are great choices. For a sweet touch, try dipping fruit like apples or pears into the fondue. The options are limitless, so get creative and enjoy your fondue!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, sourdough, baguettes, breadsticks, bagels, croutons, pretzels, multigrain bread, rye, pumpernickel, gluten-free bread |
| Crackers and Chips | Wheat crackers, tortilla chips, bagel chips, pasta chips |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, baby potatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, celery, fennel spears, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, figs, strawberries, nectarines, persimmon |
| Meat | Steak, poached chicken, cured meats (prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, chorizo, beef jerky, kielbasa, soppressata), meatballs, sausage, shrimp |
What You'll Learn
Bread, crackers and chips
Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. The crusty exterior and airy interior of a French baguette make it an excellent choice for scooping up the warm, creamy cheese. Toasting the bread slightly beforehand will help it hold together and not fall apart in the fondue. Other types of bread that go well with fondue include sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons, pretzels, multigrain bread, rye, pumpernickel, and even bagels. For a unique option, you could try a rustic cranberry walnut loaf.
If you're looking for a crunchier option, crackers are a great choice. Wheat crackers or tortilla chips (for nachos) are perfect for dipping into fondue. For a more creative option, you could try crostini—long, thin bread crackers that are perfect for dipping.
For a truly indulgent option, why not try chips? Potato chips might fall apart in the fondue, but tortilla chips can add a Mexican flair and are perfect for scooping up that cheesy goodness. If you're feeling creative, you could even make some homemade tortilla chips.
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Vegetables
Some vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini, are best if roasted first. You can also steam some vegetables, such as green beans, pearl onions, radishes, and baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple.
If you're short on time, you can serve some vegetables raw. Good options include celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Pickled vegetables, such as pearl onions, pickles, and sweet gherkins, can also be served as long as they are patted dry first.
If you're looking for a lighter option, you can dip fresh vegetables into a light broth fondue seasoned with herbs instead of a heavy cheese dip. Any summer vegetable can be lightly grilled before dipping. Try strips of bell pepper, spears of zucchini, whole cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and chunks of radishes. You can also sprinkle freshly dipped summer vegetables with chopped basil for a fresh, bright flavor.
In the fall, you can turn to the creamy members of the squash family. Peel, cube, and roast butternut squash, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin. Let these cubes cool slightly to firm up before dipping.
In winter, boil or roast root vegetables, like small potatoes and turnips, to dip in cheese fondue. While mushrooms aren't technically vegetables (or even technically plants, as they are a type of fungi), they are a great option year-round. Their meaty, filling quality pairs well with fondue, and they are available in different varieties and growing seasons.
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Meat
When it comes to choosing sides to go with meat fondue, there are several delicious options to consider. Here are some ideas to make your meal even more enjoyable:
- Roasted Vegetables: Vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and potatoes complement the meat fondue well. You can roast them to enhance their flavour and make them softer, which is ideal for dipping in the fondue.
- Warm Potato Dish: Potatoes are a classic side dish that goes well with meat fondue. You can serve mashed potatoes, baby potatoes, or even baked potatoes. They add a nice contrast to the richness of the fondue.
- Corn on the Cob: Sweet and juicy corn on the cob is a perfect side dish for meat fondue. It can be grilled or boiled, and you can offer various toppings such as cheese, bacon, or salsa to enhance its flavour.
- Pasta Salad: A simple pasta salad made with cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, and garlic tossed in olive oil is a refreshing side dish to go with the hearty meat fondue.
- Bread: Bread is a popular dipper for fondue, and it can be used to soak up the delicious sauce. French bread, breadsticks, croutons, or even unique options like cranberry walnut loaf can be served alongside the meat fondue.
- Salads: A wedge salad or a simple grilled corn salad can add a refreshing touch to your meal. These light and fresh options can provide a nice contrast to the richness of the meat fondue.
- Meatballs or Chicken: If you want to offer a variety of meats, meatballs or chicken can be served as a complementary dish to your meat fondue.
These side dishes will not only enhance the flavour of your meat fondue but also make your meal a memorable one. So, go ahead and experiment with these ideas to create a delightful and indulgent dining experience for your guests.
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Fruits
Raw or lightly steamed fruits are the best option for fondue. Fruits that pair well with cheese fondue include apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, nectarines, persimmon, strawberries, and stone fruits. Granny Smith apples are a particularly good choice, as their crispness and tartness complement the creaminess of the fondue. Bosc pears also work well, as their cinnamon and nutmeg undertones bring out the spices in the fondue.
Dried fruits such as apricots and figs are also a tasty option, offering a different texture to fresh fruits. If you're looking for a more unusual pairing, try dipping fruits that are commonly found in chutneys or jams, such as mangoes or berries.
When preparing fruit for fondue, cut them into slices or chunks that are easy to skewer and dip. You may also want to provide toothpicks or skewers for your guests, especially if the fruit is small or awkwardly shaped.
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Seafood
Shrimp
Shrimp is an excellent choice to elevate the classic cheese fondue. Whether roasted, sauteed, fried, or grilled, shrimp adds a unique and fancy touch to the dish. For an extra flavour kick, cook the shrimp with minced garlic and chopped parsley.
Lobster and Crab
For a decadent and elegant offering, perfect for special occasions, lightly steamed seafood such as lobster and crab can be dipped in the warm, creamy cheese fondue.
Scallops
Scallops, with their mild and buttery flavour, can be a delightful addition to the cheese fondue experience. They can be simply seared or baked and then dipped in the melted cheese, creating a savoury and indulgent bite.
Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon, with its rich and distinctive flavour, can be a unique pairing with the creamy cheese fondue. It adds a touch of luxury to the dish and is perfect for those who enjoy the distinctive taste of smoked salmon.
For a truly indulgent and extravagant fondue experience, consider combining multiple seafood options. For example, a selection of shrimp, crab legs, scallops, and smoked salmon can be arranged on a platter, offering a variety of flavours and textures to dip into the warm, cheesy fondue.
When pairing seafood with cheese fondue, it is important to consider the type of cheese used in the fondue. Classic choices such as Gruyere, Gouda, and Fontina are popular, but other options like cheddar or Swiss cheese can also be explored. Additionally, the wine used in the fondue can be varied to suit personal preferences, with options ranging from dry white wine to light red wine or even beer for a non-traditional twist.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many side dishes that go well with fondue. Bread is a popular option, especially crusty bread, sourdough, French bread, baguettes, breadsticks, bagels, croutons, pretzels, and crackers. Vegetables are also a good choice, such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. For protein, you can add grilled steak, poached chicken, shrimp, or cured meats like salami and pepperoni. Fruits such as apples, pears, and grapes can add a touch of sweetness, and for a more indulgent option, crispy potatoes or French fries are a good choice.
The best type of bread for fondue is one that has a crusty exterior and airy interior, such as French bread or sourdough. It's important to lightly toast the bread before dipping it into the fondue to prevent it from falling apart.
Yes, there are plenty of vegetarian options for fondue sides. Vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts are all good choices. You can also serve fruits like apples, pears, and grapes, or bread such as sourdough, baguettes, or pretzels.
Yes, there are gluten-free options for fondue sides. You can serve gluten-free bread, vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts, or fruits like apples, pears, and grapes.
Some unique fondue sides include roasted baby potatoes, cauliflower florets, or Brussels sprouts. You can also get creative with different types of bread, such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf or pretzel bread. For a sweet and savoury combination, try dipping fruits like apples, pears, or strawberries.
