Andy Montoya
Fondue is a Swiss dish that gained popularity in the US in the 1960s and remains popular today. It is typically made with a blend of Swiss cheeses like Gruyere and Emmental, combined with white wine, garlic, and seasoning. The best dippers for cheese fondue are those that hold their form after being dipped in warm cheese. The classic pairing is crusty bread, but there are many other options to consider.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Crusty bread, French baguette, sourdough loaf, garlic bread, English muffins, bagels, sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits, pretzels, breadsticks, latke |
| Meat | Salami, prosciutto, chorizo, soppressata, poached chicken, meatballs, filet mignon, shrimp, lobster tails, grilled octopus, calamari, crab, scallops |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, baby potatoes, French fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots, mushrooms, onions, cherry tomatoes |
| Fruits | Apples, Granny Smith apples, Bosc pears, persimmons, grapes |
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What You'll Learn
Bread
To elevate your bread-and-fondue experience, try toasting or lightly grilling the bread before dipping. This helps to prevent it from becoming too soft and gives it a sturdier texture for dipping. Offering a variety of breads, such as English muffins, bagels, or sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits, will also give your guests different textures and flavors to enjoy.
When preparing your bread for dipping, cut it into bite-sized pieces that are easy to dip without crumbling or falling apart in the cheese. Aim for 1-inch cubes or slices. Keep the bread warm by serving it in a towel-lined basket, enhancing its texture and making it even more inviting with melted cheese.
In addition to bread, you can also offer bread alternatives such as latkes, which are crisp and delightful when paired with melted cheese. So, whether you're a traditionalist with your crusty baguette or a creative explorer with sweet bread and nuts, bread is a classic and comforting choice for your cheese fondue.
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Meat
Salty and Spicy Cured Meats
Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, soppressata, and chorizo are great options for fondue. They can be scrunched up on a fondue skewer and dipped into the cheese.
Filet Mignon
Strips of juicy, perfectly cooked filet mignon can be enhanced by adding some bread and dipping it into the fondue. This creates a bite-sized, fancy burger.
Chicken
Poached chicken is a blank canvas that can be dressed up in the cheeses and spices of your choice.
Bacon
Crispy bacon is a fun addition to a fondue night. Its salty and crispy texture makes for a great dipper.
Seafood
Although seafood might not be the first thing that comes to mind for cheese fondue, it makes for a surprisingly delicious and elegant dipper. Tender shrimp, coconut shrimp, buttery scallops, grilled octopus, calamari, and flaky chunks of lobster or crab pair beautifully with the rich, creamy texture of cheese fondue. The natural sweetness of seafood balances the savoury depth of traditional fondue, especially when using cheeses like Gruyere, Fontina, or a touch of blue cheese for contrast.
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Fruit and vegetables
Apples
A crisp, green, and tart apple is a refreshing dipper for cheese fondue. Granny Smith apples are especially recommended for their ability to complement the creaminess of the fondue. Apples are a classic fondue choice and pair well with cheese on a cheeseboard, so it's no surprise they work well with fondue.
Pears
Pears are another fruit that works well with cheese fondue, especially during the holidays. Bosc pears, with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, can bring out the spices in many fondue recipes.
Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli and cauliflower are healthy additions to a fondue spread, providing a fresh contrast to the dairy-rich fondue. You can dip them raw, but steaming or roasting them first can help smooth out their raw, bitter flavors.
Bell Peppers
Brightly colored bell peppers add a natural sweetness and a colorful touch to your fondue. They work surprisingly well with savory cheeses.
Potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes are a classic fondue treat. Simply toss them with garlic, salt, pepper, and butter before dipping. French fries are also a great alternative, offering an easy crowd-pleaser. Sweet potato fries and tater tots can add a sweet and savory twist to your fondue experience.
Other Fruits
While apples and pears are the most commonly mentioned, other fruits can also be enjoyed with cheese fondue. These include grapes, persimmons, and stone fruits like cherries.
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Seafood
Lightly steaming or grilling seafood enhances its flavour while keeping it firm enough for dipping. Grilled or fried seafood is a simple yet impressive option to serve as a fondue dipper. When cooking seafood in a pan, you only need a few minutes per side to cook it through, but it can be easy to overcook, resulting in rubbery and flavourless seafood.
Tender shrimp, coconut shrimp, buttery scallops, grilled octopus, calamari, and flaky chunks of lobster or crab pair beautifully with the rich, creamy texture of cheese fondue. Lobster tails, crab legs, salmon, and shrimp are also great options for a fondue dipper.
For a bolder flavour, try adding citrus or Old Bay seasoning to your cheese fondue before dipping your seafood of choice.
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Crisps and crackers
If you're looking for a more indulgent bite, try pretzel rolls or baguettes, sliced into thick, hearty pieces that hold up well in the warm cheese. For a rustic Alpine feel, pair pretzels with a classic Swiss, cheddar, or beer-based fondue. If you're feeling creative, serve homemade pretzels with your choice of cheese.
Crackers are another excellent option for dipping into cheese fondue. They provide a similar crunch and saltiness to pretzels, making them a great vessel for enjoying melted cheese. For a more elegant option, try pairing crackers with a variety of cheeses and meats, such as salami, prosciutto, or chorizo, for a charcuterie board-inspired fondue experience.
For a lighter option, crisps can also be used as dippers for cheese fondue. While they may not be as sturdy as crackers or pretzels, crisps provide a delightful crunch and saltiness that pairs well with cheese. Potato crisps, in particular, can add a nice contrast of flavours and textures, especially when paired with a creamy cheese fondue.
Whether you choose crackers, crisps, or pretzels, these dippers are sure to elevate your cheese fondue experience and provide a variety of textures and flavours for you and your guests to enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
The best dippers for cheese fondue are those that hold their form after being dipped in warm cheese. The most popular options are crusty bread, apples, broccoli, and cauliflower. Other options include:
- Crispy meats
- Roasted vegetables
- Fresh fruit
- Seafood
- Pickles
- Mushrooms
- Salty and spicy cured meats
Some unique dippers for cheese fondue are:
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Tater tots
- Latkes
- Crispy bacon
- Salami
- Genoa salami
- Prosciutto
- Ham
Some bread alternatives for dipping in cheese fondue include:
- English muffins
- Bagels
- Sweet bread with nuts and dried fruits
- Breadsticks
- Garlic bread
- Pretzels
