Traditional and Creative Dippers for Cheese Fondue (2024)

Cheese fondue is a simple dish as. It is just a pot of melted cheese and wine and people can dip almost anything into it. By strategically choosing the dippers, you can turn your cheese fondue into an interesting and impressive appetizer or a complete meal that will satisfy your guests while also providing balanced nutrition.There are plenty of options to place around the fondue pot at your next gathering.

Traditional and Creative Dippers for Cheese Fondue (1)

Bread, Crackers, and Chips

Bread is the most popular dipper for cheese fondue. There are many excellent options to choose from. French bread, breadsticks,and croutons are always favorites, but also consider multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels. Another option is unique bread, such as a rustic cranberry walnut loaf, which is fantastic when dipped in cheese. No matter which type of bread you choose, make sure to lightly toast it (especially bread that may fall apart in the cheese) and then cut it into large cubes. Other types of snack-style dippers to try are soft or hard pretzels (pretzels and cheese are a natural pairing) and wheat crackers or tortilla chips (think nachos).

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Vegetables

Vegetables and cheese are a favorite combination. And almost any vegetable will do, you just need to decide how to cook it beforehand. Vegetables such as asparagus,broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts,cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are delicious if roasted first. Or steam some green beans, pearl onions, and radishes, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple.

Sauteed artichoke hearts, as well as almost any mushroom (crimini, shiitake, oyster, or sliced portobellos) are delicious additions to the tray of fondue dippers. And if you need something quick that can be served raw, try celery, fennel spears, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. Pickled vegetables—pearl onions, pickles, sweet gherkins—(that have been patted dry) are also a welcome dipper. If the veggie is an odd shape or small, offer toothpicks or some top of a skewer to simplify the dipping.

Meat and Seafood

Add a bit of protein to the platter and you've got a complete and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. Feature a bit of grilled steak, poached chicken, or cooked ham, all which taste even better with a bit of melted cheese. Cured meats, like beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni,salami, and sausage are all fun and flavorful dippers that will bring a bit of spice to your fondue pot. Lightly steamed seafood such as shrimp, crab, or lobster would be an elegant and decadent offering, perfect for a special occasion.

Fruits

You may not think of fruit when it comes to fondue, but considering certain fruits have a place on a cheese platter, this pairing is certainly warranted. Serve raw or whole fruits like sliced green or red apple, sliced pear, pineapple, and seedless grapes. Allow guests to spear a few dried apricots or dried figs.

Tips for Fondue Dippers

Whether you are simply offering bread or putting together a platter of a wide variety of dippers, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to fondue foods. First, be sure that whatever you're dipping will hold together in thick, warm cheese. For example, chunks of potato are great while potato chips are likely to fall apart.

If you are choosing food that would ordinarily be cooked, don't forget to precook it before the fondue fun begins. Vegetables can be lightly partially cooked, while meat should be fully cooked.

Fondue forks are the best choice for dipping because they are color-coded so everyone at the table knows which is theirs and they are long-handled to avoid contact with the hot fondue pot. (If you choose to use ordinary forks, be sure they are of a decent length.) It's important to avoid dipping fingers into hot fondue; this is both unsanitary and just asking for a burn.

If you offer a wide selection of foods for dipping, you don't need to offer much else to round out the meal. Consider serving a simple salad and finish the meal with a fruit tart or a chocolate fondue to stick with the fondue theme.

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Traditional and Creative Dippers for Cheese Fondue (2024)

FAQs

What is traditionally served with cheese fondue? ›

Bread is an excellent choice for cheese fondue because it soaks up the warm cheese and creamy flavors, creating a delicious combination. There are so many options to choose from for this classic side, such as French baguettes, sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons or pretzels.

What do Swiss eat with cheese fondue? ›

Bread is the main accompaniment, although boiled potatoes, charcuterie, and cornichons or other pickles can also be served. Veggies, fruit, and boiled eggs are not traditionally used in Swiss fondue. Take a piece of bread and spear it firmly on your fondue fork so that the crust is on the outside.

What is the etiquette for eating cheese fondue? ›

Cheese fondue is eaten with a long-handled fondue fork, one fork per guest. Cubed bread is speared and dipped into sauce served in a communal pot. Because the sauce is shared by everyone at the table, and the fork is redipped into the sauce many times, the tines of the fork do not pierce the cubes all the way through.

What snacks go well with cheese dip? ›

What to Serve With Cheese Dip. Serve this hearty cheese dip with tortilla chips, vegetables, pretzels, crackers, or homemade crostini. It also makes an indulgent topping for nachos, French fries, or baked potatoes.

What dessert to serve after cheese fondue? ›

The dessert

If you still have room for dessert after your fondue, you are probably looking for something light. A delicious sorbet, light ice cream or even a fresh fruit salad are all great options for rounding off the meal. An airy mousse is also not too heavy.

What do French eat with fondue? ›

This classic recipe from Savoie in the Alps of eastern France makes a delightful start to a dinner, or can be a meal in itself, accompanied by cured meats (prosciutto, bresaola, thinly sliced hard sausage), little boiled potatoes, cornichons (little pickles) and a green salad to lighten things up.

How to set up a fondue table? ›

Spread them out around the fondue stand in the middle of your table. Each meat bowl should have forks for serving, and each sauce should have its own spoon. Plates: Instruct everyone that they can take a variety of raw meat and place it on one corner of their plate.

How do you eat traditional fondue? ›

Fondue rules

You can grab it off with just your teeth, but the best way is to slide it onto your plate and use a regular fork to eat it. If you like a tipple, the good news is that it's recommended that you drink white wine rather than water with your fondue.

What not to drink with cheese fondue? ›

In Switzerland, a traditional fondue may be served with a variety of drinks, but what you'll almost never find on the table is a glass of water. Far from being a matter of taste, the noticeable absence of water has more to do with the distressing effects on the stomach.

What vegetables go well with cheese fondue? ›

Vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini are delicious if roasted first. Or steam some green beans, pearl onions, and radishes, or a variety of baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple.

What drink goes best with fondue? ›

Don't drink anything but these 3 beverages: Sip only white wine, kirsch, or a tisane of herbal tea with your fondue meal. According to Swiss lore, any other drink—be it water, juice, or beer—will cause the melted cheese to coagulate and form a giant ball in your stomach, leaving you with debilitating indigestion.

What is the Swiss tradition to have with your fondue? ›

Accompaniments often include potatoes, cornichon, and pickled pearl onions. Accompanying beverages are white wine, tea, and occasionally a glass of kirsch. Although locals consider fondue a main course, you'll be able to enjoy it as an entree or an appetizer as you dine in the Swiss Alps.

Why do you put alcohol in cheese fondue? ›

The fondue pot, caquelon, absorbs some of the direct heat and lets the cheese melt at the correct temperature. The more aged the cheese, the better it melts, and the addition of acid in the form of wine and lemon juice keeps the proteins apart and helps the cheese melt evenly.

What cheese melts the best for dipping? ›

Here's our top 10 list of cheeses that are the absolute best for melting, plus the recipes we love to use them in.
  • Colby. An all-American cheese, Colby is firm but mild-flavored and creamy. ...
  • Havarti. ...
  • Swiss. ...
  • Fontina. ...
  • Monterey Jack. ...
  • Muenster. ...
  • Provolone. ...
  • Smoked Gouda.

What to dip in fondue fountain? ›

Sweet Treats:
  1. Marshmallows.
  2. Pretzel sticks.
  3. Doughnuts.
  4. Mini churros.
  5. Rice crispy treats.
  6. Waffles.
  7. Pancakes.
  8. Shortbread.
Jan 9, 2023

What are cheesy dippers? ›

Cheese Dippers® is a delicious duo of creamy Laughing Cow cheese dip and crispy whole wheat breadsticks.

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