Cheese Fondue: Best Dipping Foods To Try

Cheese fondue is a simple yet versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of foods, both savoury and sweet. While bread is the most popular dipper, there are many other options to explore. This includes vegetables, fruits, cured meats, seafood, and more. Here's a list of unique and tasty items to dunk in your cheese fondue, aside from the classic bread.

Bread

French bread, breadsticks, and croutons are always favourites, but you could also consider multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels. Another option is a unique bread, such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf, which is fantastic when dipped in cheese.

If you're feeling ambitious, you could make a couple of fresh baguettes or a simple, no-knead peasant loaf. You could also pick up a sourdough loaf from the store.

Other bread-type ideas for dipping in cheese fondue include breadsticks, bagels, English muffins, tortillas, and pretzels. Sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits can also pair well with cheese fondue.

Meat

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, why not try steak bites? Cook up some perfectly seasoned steak cubes and dunk them in melted cheese for an irresistible treat. This is a great option for a special date night dinner at home—just add a glass of wine and enjoy!

Another meaty option that goes well with cheese is smoked sausages wrapped in bacon. This salty, cheesy, savoury combination is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and will leave your guests wanting more.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, grilled or roasted mushrooms are a great option. Mushrooms and cheese are a classic combination, and the earthy, woody flavour of mushrooms pairs perfectly with the creaminess of the fondue.

For a fun and filling meal, you can't go wrong with miniature meatballs or steak cubes. Bring some extra protein to your meal and dip them in the bubbly hot cheese for a memorable dinner. Just make sure to fully cook the meat before skewering and dipping it into the fondue.

So, whether you're looking for something indulgent, fun, or light, there are plenty of meat options to dunk in your cheese fondue. Enjoy experimenting and finding your favourites!

Seafood

Grilled or Fried Seafood

Grilled or fried seafood is a great choice for dunking in cheese fondue. Options like shrimp, scallops, octopus, and squid pair well with the mellow types of cheese used in fondue. When cooking seafood like shrimp or scallops in a pan, be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery and flavorless. Just a few minutes per side should be enough to cook them through.

Lobster Tails, Crab Legs, and Salmon

Get your hands on some high-quality seafood like lobster tails, crab legs, or salmon, and dunk them into your warm, melted pot of cheese for an unforgettable meal. This combination is perfect for a special occasion or a romantic dinner.

Lemony Shrimp

Boil the shrimp with lemons until they turn pink, and you've got yourself a delicious addition to your cheese fondue. Peeled and tail-on shrimp will take your fondue to the next level! If you're short on time, you can also pick up some pre-cooked shrimp from the grocery store.

Cured Meats and Grilled Cocktail Wieners

Upgrade your charcuterie board by serving it with a piping hot pot of cheese fondue in the center instead of cold cheese cuts. The typical fondue bases, like Gruyere, Emmental, and Fontina, pair well with most cured meats. So go ahead and choose your favorites, from salami and hot dogs to prosciutto and mortadella.

Vegetables

If you want to enjoy a snappy texture with every bite, you can opt for raw vegetables like celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. You can also serve raw broccoli and cauliflower, but it is recommended to give them a light steam to smooth out their raw, bitter flavors.

If you want to emphasize the cheese, opt for steamed vegetables. Try steaming carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, or artichoke hearts. You can also steam green beans, pearl onions, and radishes.

Other vegetables that can be served with cheese fondue include sautéed artichoke hearts, pickled pearl onions, sliced Portobello mushrooms, and various types of potatoes, such as roasted baby potatoes, French fries, tater tots, and fingerling potatoes.

Fruit

Some fruits that work well with cheese fondue include:

• Apples — the tartness of a Granny Smith apple or the crispness of a red apple can complement the creaminess of the fondue.
• Pears — the cinnamon and nutmeg undertones of Bosc pears can bring out the spices in many fondues.
• Grapes — these are a classic choice for cheese fondue and work well with most cheeses.
• Avocados — while less conventional, avocados can add a creamy texture and healthy fats to your fondue dipping.
• Cherry tomatoes — these small, juicy tomatoes can add a burst of flavour and colour to your fondue spread.
• Apricots, nectarines, and peaches — these sweeter fruits can be a nice contrast to the savoury cheese, especially when slightly firm so they keep their shape when dipped.
• Oranges and tangerines — thick wedges of zesty citrus fruits can add a bright, fresh note to the rich fondue.

When selecting fruit to pair with cheese fondue, consider choosing fruits with a crisp texture and firm flesh that will hold up when dipped into the hot cheese. You may also want to opt for fruits that are commonly found on cheese boards, as these pairings are generally well-suited to fondue as well.

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