Tiffany Haney
Cheese fondue is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or dessert. It is traditionally made with a combination of cheeses, wine, and seasonings, heated until melted, and served with a variety of dippers. The best cheeses for fondue are those that melt smoothly, such as fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. While bread is the most popular dipper, there are many other options to choose from, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and more. Here are some ideas to get you started on creating the perfect fondue meal for your next gathering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, bagels, baguette, pretzels, crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips, rustic cranberry walnut loaf, focaccia bread, ciabatta bread, naan, challah, brioche, English muffins, tortillas |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricot, nectarine, peaches, oranges |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini, roasted baby potatoes, brussels sprouts, pickles, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, carrots, green beans, pearl onions, sweet potato fries, celery, fennel spears, cherry tomatoes, radishes, gherkins, baby potatoes, squash |
| Meat | Chicken, steak, meatballs, shrimp, ham, turkey, salami, sausage, crab, lobster, beef, cured meats, prosciutto, chorizo, pepperoni, beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni |
What You'll Learn
- Bread: French bread, sourdough, bagels, pretzels, tortilla chips, crackers, etc
- Fruit: apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, etc
- Vegetables: broccoli, bell peppers, potatoes, pickles, mushrooms, carrots, etc
- Meat: chicken, steak, meatballs, shrimp, salami, sausage, crab, etc
- Cured meats: prosciutto, salami, chorizo, pepperoni, etc
Bread: French bread, sourdough, bagels, pretzels, tortilla chips, crackers, etc
Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. It's best to lightly toast the bread before serving it with fondue, especially if it's a type of bread that may fall apart in the cheese. Here are some bread options to serve with cheese fondue:
- French bread
- Sourdough
- Bagels
- Pretzels
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers
- Croutons
- Breadsticks
- Multigrain bread
- Rye bread
- Pumpernickel bread
- Baguette
- Rustic cranberry walnut loaf
- Wheat bread
- Olive bread
- Focaccia bread
- Ciabatta bread
- Naan
- Challah
- Brioche
- English muffins
- Tortillas
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Fruit: apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, etc
Fruit is an excellent choice to serve with cheese fondue. The sweetness of the fruit contrasts the savouriness of the cheese, creating an explosion of flavour.
Granny Smith apples are a popular choice, as their tartness is dreamy when dipped in the cheese fondue. Instead of slices, cut the apples into cubes, which are easier to spear. Other apple varieties that work well include firm, green apples.
Pears are another excellent choice, particularly Bosc pears, which have nutmeg and cinnamon undertones that bring out the spices found in many fondues.
Other fruits that can be served with cheese fondue include pineapple, grapes, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and oranges.
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Vegetables: broccoli, bell peppers, potatoes, pickles, mushrooms, carrots, etc
Vegetables are a fantastic pairing with cheese, and almost any vegetable will work as a dipper for your fondue.
If you're looking for vegetables to serve raw, celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes are all good options. You could also try something a little more unusual, like raw or blanched broccoli florets. If you're after something with a bit of crunch, try some raw bell peppers—red, orange, yellow, or green—cut into bite-sized pieces.
If you'd prefer to serve cooked vegetables, you could roast some bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, baby carrots, asparagus, or potatoes. You could also steam some potatoes, green beans, pearl onions, or radishes. Sautéed artichoke hearts and mushrooms are also delicious additions to the fondue platter.
If you're looking for something quick and easy, try serving some pickles or gherkins on the side. These will provide a nice contrast to the rich fondue, and you won't need to do any cooking. Just remember to pat them dry before serving, and consider providing toothpicks or skewers to make dipping easier.
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Meat: chicken, steak, meatballs, shrimp, salami, sausage, crab, etc
When it comes to choosing what meats to serve with a cheese fondue, the options are plentiful. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Chicken
Poached or cooked chicken is a great option to serve with cheese fondue. It provides a blank canvas for the cheese and spices to shine and can be easily customised with herbs and spices. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces to make dipping easier. Chicken pairs well with a variety of cheeses, including Swiss, Gruyère, and cheddar.
Steak
Steak is another excellent choice for cheese fondue. Cut steak into thin strips or bite-sized pieces to make dipping easier. Juicy filet mignon or beef tenderloin cubes are perfect for dipping into gooey cheese. Steak pairs well with classic Swiss cheese fondue or a zesty cheddar fondue.
Meatballs
Meatballs are a versatile side dish that goes perfectly with cheese fondue. Whether made from beef, chicken, veal, or vegetarian-friendly ingredients, meatballs can be easily skewered and dipped into the melted cheese. For an extra cheesy treat, pour some fondue over the meatballs.
Shrimp
Shrimp is a delicious choice to elevate your cheese fondue. Lightly grilled, roasted, sautéed, or fried shrimp play well with bold cheeses. Try pairing shrimp with a brandy or white wine fondue for an elegant flavour combination. Don't forget to cook the shrimp with a bit of minced garlic and chopped parsley for extra flavour.
Salami and Sausage
Cured meats like salami and sausage are fun and flavourful additions to any fondue spread. Salami, pepperoni, chorizo, and kielbasa are all excellent choices that will bring a spicy kick to the cheese fondue. These meats can be skewered and dipped or enjoyed alongside the fondue as a savoury snack.
Crab
For a sophisticated and decadent touch, consider serving lightly steamed crab alongside your cheese fondue. Crab pairs well with almost any type of cheese and adds a touch of luxury to your fondue experience. Don't forget to provide some small forks or skewers for easy dipping!
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Cured meats: prosciutto, salami, chorizo, pepperoni, etc
Cured meats are a fun and flavourful addition to a cheese fondue spread, bringing a bit of spice to the pot and creating more of a "meal" feeling. Salty and sometimes spicy, cured meats are best served scrunched up on a fondue skewer.
Prosciutto, a fully cooked meat, is a great choice for dipping in fondue. It is a classic Italian ham that has been dry-cured and aged for several months, resulting in a sweet and nutty flavour. Its delicate texture and salty taste make it a perfect pairing for the creamy and indulgent cheese fondue.
Salami is another excellent option for cured meat lovers. Salami is typically made from either beef or pork and is seasoned with various spices, giving it a distinct flavour. It is then air-dried, which results in a firm texture that holds up well when dipped in fondue. Salami's bold flavour can stand up to the richness of the cheese, making it a tasty addition to the spread.
Chorizo, a Spanish cured sausage made from pork, is another delicious option for fondue dippers. It is typically seasoned with smoked paprika, giving it a deep red colour and a smoky, slightly spicy flavour. Chorizo has a firm yet moist texture that pairs well with the melted cheese. Its vibrant colour also adds a nice touch to the presentation of the fondue spread.
Pepperoni is a type of salami that is often used as a pizza topping but also makes an excellent fondue dipper. It is characterised by its bright red colour and slightly spicy flavour. Pepperoni has a slightly softer texture than other salamis, which allows it to melt in your mouth when paired with the warm, creamy cheese.
In addition to these options, other cured meats such as soppressata, beef jerky, and kielbasa would also be delicious choices to pair with cheese fondue. Fully cooked meats like chicken or beef would also be great choices for dipping in cheese fondue, but these are more commonly found in an entrée-style fondue, known as fondue chinoise.
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Frequently asked questions
Good dippers for cheese fondue include bread, crackers, chips, vegetables, meat, and fruit. Bread is the most popular option, with French bread, sourdough, and baguettes being common choices. For vegetables, broccoli, bell peppers, and potatoes are all good options. Cured meats like salami and chorizo are tasty additions, and apples and pears are popular fruit choices.
Good-quality, creamy, and buttery cheeses that melt smoothly are best for fondue. Fontina, Gruyère, and Gouda are great choices, and a mix of traditional Swiss cheeses like Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and Gouda is typical for a classic Swiss fondue.
Light beers, white wine, and black tea are said to pair well with cheese fondue. An ale like Bass or Newcastle Brown Ale can also be a good choice. It's best to avoid dark beers like Guinness, as they can overwhelm the flavor of the cheese.
It's important to cut dippers into bite-sized pieces and make sure they won't fall apart in the cheese. Fondue forks are the best choice for dipping, as they are long-handled and color-coded, preventing burns and mix-ups. It's also important to stir the fondue constantly while adding the cheese to ensure a smooth consistency.
