Cheese Fondue: Best Dipping Foods To Try

Cheese fondue is a fun, communal dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. While crusty bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue, there are many other foods that can be paired with it.

If you're looking for something savoury, try broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, roasted potatoes, meatballs, steak, seafood, cured meats, or large pasta shapes.

For something sweet, try apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, apricots, nectarines, or peaches.

Bread

Types of Bread

When it comes to bread, you have a lot of options to choose from. Traditional choices include crusty, rustic breads like French bread, baguettes, or sourdough. These breads have a sturdy texture that holds up well to dipping and has a flavour that complements the cheese. However, you can also experiment with other types of bread, such as wholegrain, pumpernickel, or even a simple peasant loaf.

Preparation

To prepare the bread for dipping, cut it into cubes or slices. Cubes are easier to skewer and dip, while slices may be better for those who want to scoop up larger amounts of fondue. If you're feeling creative, you can even try making your own bread specifically for the fondue. That way, you can ensure it's fresh and perfectly suited for dipping.

Presentation

While the taste of the bread is essential, don't forget about presentation. Arrange the bread on a platter or board, perhaps alongside other dippers like vegetables or meats. You can also get creative with the shape and size of your bread cubes or slices, adding a unique touch to your fondue spread.

Storage

If you have any leftover bread, or if you're preparing your bread in advance, proper storage is key. Bread can dry out quickly, so keep it in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil. That way, it will stay fresh and soft, ready for dipping into that delicious, melted cheese.

Meat

Poached chicken, grilled steak, and cooked ham are all good choices to dip in a cheese fondue. Cut them into small cubes for easy dipping. Mini-meatballs are also a good choice.

Cured meats, such as pepperoni, salami, and chorizo, are a flavorful option. These tend to be a little more on the spicy side and will be tempered by the cheese.

For a special occasion, steamed seafood such as lobster, crab, or shrimp will add decadence to your fondue.

Lamb is another show-stopping meat dipper for any type of fondue. Lamb shoulder bites, seasoned with salt, pepper, oregano, and onion flakes, and seared in butter, make a perfect dipper.

Vegetables

Some vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini, are delicious when roasted. You could also steam some green beans, pearl onions, radishes, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple.

If you're looking for something quick and raw, try celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. You could also serve pickled vegetables—pearl onions, pickles, and sweet gherkins—but be sure to pat them dry first. If your chosen vegetable is oddly shaped or small, consider offering toothpicks or skewers to simplify the dipping process.

Fruit

Apples and pears are the most popular fruits to dip in cheese fondue. Crisp and tart Granny Smith apples are a popular choice, as their crunchiness and tartness are a great complement to the creamy cheese. Bosc pears also work well, as their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones bring out the spices found in many fondues. Slices of orange and tangerine are also good choices, as their zesty sweetness will cut through the richness of the cheese. For a milder flavour, try dipping apricots, nectarines, or peaches into your fondue. Just be sure to choose firmer fruits, as these will hold up better when dipped into the hot cheese.

Seafood

Lobster, Crab, and Salmon

Lobster tails, crab legs, and salmon are all luxurious choices that would be delicious dipped in a warm, melted pot of cheese. This combination would make for an unforgettable meal.

Shrimp

Lightly sweet and buttery grilled, roasted, or sautéed shrimp pair well with a bold cheese fondue made with brandy or white wine. For an extra kick of flavor, cook the shrimp with some minced garlic and chopped parsley before dipping.

Scallops

Baked scallops are another luxurious option to pair with your cheese fondue. They are delicate, but you can carefully dip them in the cheese or spoon the cheese on top.

Fish

Strips of juicy, perfectly cooked fish, such as filet mignon, can be enhanced by dipping them in cheese fondue. Skewer a bit of bread and fish, dip it in the fondue, and you've got yourself a fancy, bite-sized treat.

Frequently asked questions