Emilie Meyer
Cheese fondue is a simple dish of melted cheese and wine, into which you can dip almost anything. The most popular dippers include bread, crackers, chips, vegetables, meat, and fruit.
When it comes to bread, French bread, breadsticks, croutons, sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, and bagels are all great options. For a sweeter option, you could try a rustic cranberry walnut loaf.
If you fancy something a little healthier, vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and cauliflower are delicious when roasted, steamed, or raw.
Meat lovers could opt for grilled steak, poached chicken, cooked ham, cured meats, or even meatballs.
For those with a sweet tooth, sliced apples, pears, and grapes are classic choices, but you could also try something more unusual like avocado or jalapeño peppers.
And if you're feeling adventurous, why not try dipping pickles, potato chips, or even cookie dough into your fondue?
So, whether you're a traditionalist or an experimenter, there's something to satisfy everyone's taste buds in the world of cheese fondue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, bagels, cranberry walnut loaf, focaccia, ciabatta, naan, challah, brioche, English muffins, tortillas, pretzels |
| Crackers | Wheat crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips |
| Chips | Potato chips |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, asparagus, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, baby potatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, celery, fennel spears, cherry tomatoes, gherkins, pickles, squash, French beans, carrots, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, mini sweet peppers, red onion, sweet onion, avocado |
| Meat | Grilled steak, poached chicken, cooked ham, cured meats (beef jerky, salami, soppressata, chorizo, prosciutto), meatballs, marinated sirloin, filet mignon, herb-roasted chicken breast, prime rib, mini meatballs, beef jerky, miniature smoked sausages, duck breast, chunks of ham, bacon |
| Seafood | Shrimp, crab, lobster, salmon, tuna, crab legs, lobster tail |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, figs, avocado, mango, kiwi, peach, papaya |
| Other | Pasta, meatballs, pickles, potato chips, potato skins, French fries, potato chips, jalapeño peppers, mint leaves, cornichons, cookie dough |
What You'll Learn
Bread
French bread, sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, and focaccia are all excellent options. If you want to get creative, you could try a rustic cranberry walnut loaf or a sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits. For a lighter option, consider a baguette or a simple peasant bread.
To prepare the bread for dipping, cut it into large cubes and lightly toast it. This will ensure that it holds up well when dipped into the cheese.
If you want to get fancy, you can make your own breadsticks, pretzels, bagels, English muffins, or tortillas to dip into the fondue.
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Vegetables
If you're looking for raw vegetables to dip, you could try celery, fennel spears, carrots, cherry tomatoes, or radishes. You could also steam some vegetables before dipping them—broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers are all good options for this. Or, if you want to get a little more creative, try steaming carrots, celery, or asparagus tips.
Some vegetables are best roasted before dipping. These include asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts, mini sweet peppers, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, green beans, baby potatoes, and French fries.
If you're short on time, you could also serve pickled vegetables, such as pearl onions, pickles, or sweet gherkins—just remember to pat them dry first!
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Meat
Marinated Sirloin
Cut marinated sirloin into bite-sized cubes, making sure to fully cook the meat before threading it onto skewers for dipping. The marinade will add extra flavour to the meat, enhancing the overall taste experience when paired with the cheesy fondue.
Filet Mignon
Filet mignon is a tender and juicy cut of beef that can be elevated to the next level with a dip in cheese fondue. Cut the cooked filet into thin strips that can easily be skewered and dunked into the melted cheese. For an extra indulgent bite, skewer a piece of bread along with the filet mignon before dipping.
Herb-Roasted Chicken
Roasted chicken infused with herbs can be a delicious addition to your fondue spread. Ensure the chicken is cooked thoroughly before cutting it into bite-sized pieces or strips that can be easily picked up or skewered for dipping. The herbs will complement the cheese fondue, creating a flavourful and satisfying bite.
Prime Rib
Prime rib, when cooked to perfection, can be a mouthwatering choice for your fondue. Cut the cooked prime rib into bite-sized cubes, perhaps even wrapping some of the pieces in small slices of cured meats like prosciutto or salami for an extra savoury kick before dipping into the fondue.
Mini Meatballs
Cured Meats
In addition to the cooked meats, consider adding some cured meat options to your fondue spread. Salami, chorizo, pepperoni, soppressata, prosciutto, and beef jerky can all be delicious additions. These meats will add a savoury and spicy kick to the fondue, creating a unique flavour profile for your guests to enjoy.
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Fruit
When it comes to choosing fruit for your fondue, apples are a popular choice. Tart apples such as Granny Smith apples are a particularly good option, as their crispness and tartness contrast well with the creamy cheese. Apples should be cut into cubes rather than slices, as cubes are easier to skewer and dip. Pears are another good option, especially Bosc pears, as their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones bring out the spices often found in fondues.
Other fruits that can be considered for fondue include bananas, peaches, pineapples, oranges, strawberries, cherries, grapes, and dried fruit. These fruits can be served alongside the fondue pot, allowing guests to dip as they see fit.
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Crackers or Chips
Crackers and chips are a great alternative to bread when it comes to cheese fondue. Wheat crackers, pita chips, and tortilla chips are all tasty options for dipping into your fondue. You can even make your own homemade crackers and shape them into a long, narrow form for dipping.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, why not try making your own crackers with a long, narrow shape that's perfect for dipping? Or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of chips like potato chips, kettle-cooked chips, or even sweet potato chips.
Just keep in mind that thinner chips like regular potato chips might not hold up as well in the fondue, so it's better to opt for thicker options or use tongs for dipping.
And don't forget, while crackers and chips are delicious on their own, they can also be a great base for other toppings. Why not try adding some cured meats, cheeses, or even a dip made from fondue leftovers to your crackers or chips? Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite!
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Frequently asked questions
Bread is the most popular option for cheese fondue, but you can also dip fruits and vegetables, cured meats, and bite-sized pieces of meat.
French bread, breadsticks, croutons, sourdough, rye, pumpernickel, bagels, and focaccia bread are all good options.
Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, and zucchini are all good choices.
Apples, pears, and grapes are all good fruit choices to dip in cheese fondue.
Cured meats like salami, chorizo, and pepperoni are good choices, as well as bite-sized pieces of cooked meat like chicken or beef.
