Kamil Perry
Cheese fondue is a fun and indulgent dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. The best things to dip in cheese fondue are those that complement the cheese and hold together in the thick, warm cheese. Bread is a classic dipper for cheese fondue, with French bread, breadsticks, croutons, and sourdough being popular choices. Other options include vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini; fruits like apples, pears, and grapes; and proteins such as grilled steak, poached chicken, meatballs, and shrimp. For an extra indulgent treat, crispy potatoes or soft pretzels can be dipped in cheese fondue, creating a savory and rich combination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, bagels, baguette, brioche, focaccia, rustic cranberry walnut loaf |
| Meat | Grilled steak, meatballs, beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, sausage, chicken, ham, bacon, smoked sausages |
| Seafood | Shrimp, crab, lobster |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, carrots, green beans, pearl onions, radishes, potatoes, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, celery, fennel spears, cherry tomatoes |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, figs |
| Other | Pickles, pretzels, tortilla chips, crackers, chips, fried wontons, carrot sticks, gnocchi, scallops |
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What You'll Learn
Bread
- French bread
- Baguette
- Breadsticks
- Croutons
- Multigrain bread
- Rye
- Sourdough
- Pumpernickel
- Bagels
- Focaccia
- Brioche
- Rustic cranberry walnut loaf
Other options similar to bread that can be used for dipping include:
- Crackers
- Wheat crackers
- Tortilla chips
- Homemade or store-bought soft or hard pretzels
- Pretzel sticks or mini pretzel twists
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Meat
Steak
Grilled steak bites or chunks are an excellent choice for cheese fondue. The rich, juicy steak pairs beautifully with melted cheese, creating a perfect combination of flavours. Steak is also a great way to add a fancy touch to your fondue spread.
Chicken
Chicken poppers or chicken coated in a crispy exterior is a tasty option for dipping in cheese fondue. You can also offer poached chicken, which will provide a softer texture to contrast with the gooey cheese.
Sausages
Sliced sausages, such as bratwurst, Italian sausage, kielbasa, or even hot dogs, are fantastic with cheese. The saltiness of sausages pairs exceptionally well with the richness of the fondue. Wrapping sausages in bacon before dipping them in cheese takes this pairing to the next level.
Bacon
Bacon might not be the first thing that comes to mind for cheese fondue, but it is definitely worth considering. The salty, crispy bacon becomes even more irresistible when coated in melted cheese.
Seafood
For a more elegant and decadent option, try pairing your cheese fondue with lightly steamed seafood. Shrimp, crab, or lobster are all excellent choices and will impress your guests. Grilled or sautéed shrimp, in particular, pairs well with bold-flavoured fondues made with brandy or white wine.
Remember to fully cook all meat before dipping it in the cheese fondue to ensure food safety and the best texture combinations. Enjoy experimenting with different meat and cheese combinations to find your favourite fondue pairings!
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Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Zucchini
- Green beans
- Pearl onions
- Radishes
- Baby potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple
- Artichoke hearts
- Mushrooms, such as crimini, shiitake, oyster, or sliced portobellos
- Celery
- Fennel spears
- Cherry tomatoes
Some vegetables, such as broccoli and cauliflower, can be dipped raw into the cheese fondue, but steaming or lightly steaming them beforehand can help smooth out raw, bitter flavors. Other vegetables, such as potatoes, should be cooked before dipping to ensure they hold together in the thick, warm cheese.
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Fruits
Apples
Green apples, such as Granny Smith apples, are a popular choice for cheese fondue as their crisp and tart flavour complements the creaminess of the fondue nicely. Instead of slices, which can be harder to spear, cut the apples into cubes.
Pears
Pears, such as Bosc pears, have nutmeg and cinnamon undertones that can bring out the spices found in many fondues.
Pineapple
Pineapple is another fruit option that can be served raw and sliced.
Grapes
Seedless grapes can be served raw and are a good choice for cheese fondue.
Dried Fruits
Dried fruits such as dried apricots or dried figs can also be served alongside the fondue for guests to spear.
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Seafood
- Shrimp: Grilled, fried, roasted, sauteed, or steamed shrimp pairs well with cheese fondue, especially when the cheese is mellow and bold, such as a fondue made with brandy or white wine.
- Crab: Lightly steamed crab is an elegant and decadent option for a cheese fondue dipper.
- Lobster: Like crab, steamed lobster is an elegant and decadent choice for a special occasion.
- Scallops: Grilled or fried scallops are a simple yet impressive option for a fondue dipper. They pair well with mellow types of cheese.
When cooking seafood for cheese fondue, it is important to note that it can be easy to overcook, which can result in a rubbery and flavorless texture. Therefore, it is best to cook seafood just until it is done, as it will continue to cook when dipped in the hot cheese fondue.
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Frequently asked questions
Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. French bread, breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels are all great options.
If you're looking for something more creative, try soft or hard pretzels, wheat crackers, tortilla chips, or vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and zucchini. Fruits like apples, pears, and grapes can also be surprisingly delightful with cheese fondue.
For a more filling meal, you can dip grilled steak, poached chicken, cooked ham, or cured meats like beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and sausage. Seafood options include steamed shrimp, crab, or lobster, as well as grilled, sautéed, or roasted shrimp.
Choose foods that will hold together in thick, warm cheese. For example, chunks of potato are great, while potato chips may fall apart. Vegetables can be lightly cooked, while meat should be fully cooked before dipping.
