Cheese Fondue is a very versatile dish that can be perfect for an appetizer, main course, or even dessert. If you are trying to come up with some unique ideas to dip in and serve with cheese fondue, I’ve got 20 of my favorite recommendations!
Cheese is so delicious, so dreamy, so warm and comforting. If you feel the same, then you know there is nothing better than sitting around a big pot of melty cheese for an entire meal.
If you have ever tasted cheese fondue, you know what I’m talking about. It’s a meal that is made for grazing, talking, and relaxing into a blissful food coma.
It’s also easier to make fondue than most people think. As long as you use high quality ingredients and take your time with the preparation, you have a dish that even the pickiest eaters can have a lot of fun with. Cheese fondue is perfect for plenty of special occasions.
One of my favorite things about cheese fondue is its versatility. It’s an excellent appetizer, an elevated main course at a fondue party, and even a dessert with the right accompaniment.
This versatility is a gift that should not be ignored. There are so many options you can serve alongside a delicious pot of cheese–don’t limit yourself! If you want your fondue night to be one your guests never forget, let’s brainstorm together just what to serve with cheese fondue.
FAQs
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need any super fancy equipment for fondue. You can make it right on your stovetop with a regular pot.
Once your cheese is fully melted, you can leave the fondue on the stove at the very lowest temperature so that you do not burn it. You can also bring the hot pot to the table. You may need to reheat, depending on how long you sit at the table, but that is to be expected.
I also have a recipe on my site for making cheese fondue in the Instant Pot.
Good cheese fondue calls for good, high-quality Swiss cheeses. Of course, cheese is what this meal is all about!
The most common cheeses used for cheese fondue are gouda, gruyere, swiss, and fontina. All of these cheeses are light and melt beautifully.
You can choose just one type of cheese or use a combination of them all for more flavor. You can also make cheddar fondue, usually with beer instead of wine.
Fondue is traditionally made with dry white wine and may have additional cherry brandy added in some recipes. Cheddar cheese fondue is typically made with beer.
Wine helps the cheese stay smooth and melt evenly and provides added flavor to the dish.
If you are not a fan of wine, you can easily substitute chicken or vegetable broth and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Cheese fondue comes from Switzerland. In the 17th century, families would survive harsh winter months by melting cheese with some wine and dipping in stale bread. This simple meal allowed them to use up the ingredients they had and get a good source of protein as well.
Cheese fondue is actually the national dish of Switzerland!
Cheese fondue today has become a popular party dish around the world, offering guests bite-sized pieces of bread, meat and vegetables to dip in the creamy cheeses. There are so many more options than stale bread!
How Do I Keep My Fondue from Clumping?
The hardest part of making fondue is achieving the perfect texture of melted cheese. If your cheese is clumping, you may have skipped three very important steps.
- First make sure you grate the cheese, do not chop it. This gives you more even pieces that will melt more evenly.
- Next, coat your grated cheese in cornstarch. This will help thicken your sauce and will keep the cheese from clumping at the same time.
- Lastly, add your cheese to the pot slowly, just a handful at a time. Wait until all the cheese has melted before adding more. Do not try to rush melting the cheese.
Can You Store Fondue?
Fondue is best enjoyed fresh, but it is possible to store it for a few days.
Keep cheese fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat it on the stovetop over very low heat. Add a bit of chicken stock as you heat as it may have thickened as it cooled.
If you want to prepare cheese fondue before a party, I would suggest making the cheese fondue fresh, but prepping all your vegetables and meat for dipping well in advance.
How Do You Eat Cheese Fondue?
There are several rules for fondue etiquette. Fondue is typically served from a communal pot which requires guests to use their best judgment to keep the meal sanitary for everyone.
- Guests should not double-dip. If you are truly concerned about how sanitary this dish is, it has been studied and found hot cheese dishes don’t hold on to much bacteria, so you can feel comfortable sharing the same pot as other dinner guests.
- Do not put your fondue fork directly into your mouth or allow your lips to touch the prongs. Some hosts are comfortable with guests scraping food off with their teeth, but most people will dip, then place the food item on their plate and eat it with a regular fork.
- You must stir the cheese either clockwise or in figure eight while dipping.
- Feel free to scrape to the bottom of the pot for the slightly burnt bits of cheese. Those small bits in the cheese mixture are considered the best part.
- Twirl your fork until all strings and drips have landed safely on your piece of food before trying to transfer it to your plate. Do not scrape your food on the edge of the pot as this is bad manners and will make cleaning up more difficult.
- Cheese fondue is also not traditionally served with chocolate fondue. The reason is simply that both are decadent dishes that are simply too heavy to be enjoyed at the same time! Choose to serve your guests fresh fruit as a dessert instead to help with digestion.
- There are many party games associated with eating fondue that can add a little fun to your dinner party. Some say if your bread falls apart in the pot you have to take a shot. Others will say if a woman’s food falls in the pot you have to kiss everyone at the table, or just the person to your left. Men have to buy everyone a round of drinks or another bottle of wine for the table.
- Swiss tradition says you must drink wine, kirsch, or herbal tea with cheese fondue to help with digestion, otherwise, you will end up with a ball of cheese in your stomach. This suggestion is sure to put your guests in a good mood!
Favorite Recipes
- My Classic Cheese Fondue recipe is easy to make on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.
- Well Plated by Erin uses an assortment of cheese in a simple white wine for her cheese fondue recipe.
- This Cheddar Cheese Fondue recipe from Chisel and Fork is a great way to add variety to a fondue night.
Expert Tips
- There are so many sides that taste excellent with a bit of melted cheese, but be sure to choose dippers that are hearty enough to stay on your fork when dipped in cheese. If your cheese is too thick, it may pull the item into the pot.
- Don’t forget to pre-cook any meat that you want to use as a dipper. Many vegetables also benefit from being roasted or cooked ahead of time. If you are roasting your vegetables ahead of time, make sure they are still firm enough to withstand the pull of the cheese.
- Make sure to use a good quality drinking wine in your cheese fondue. The taste of the wine will directly impact the taste of the fondue. It’s not a good idea to substitute a cooking wine for this recipe.
- Cornstarch is an important part of the recipe. You can use flour if you must, but it may leave a floury taste that can be avoided with cornstarch.
- Most fondue forks come in sets with colored handles. This is convenient if your guests set down their forks because it makes it easier to tell them apart.
- Do not rush melting your cheese. Only add small handfuls at a time.
- If you want to make your fondue a complete meal, offer a wide variety of dippers. With a good mix of vegetables, meat, and carbs, you won’t need any other sides.
- Whether your fondue is served in a fondue pot or just a pot from the stovetop, don’t forget to stir it frequently throughout the meal. This will keep it from clumping or drying out on the top.
What to Serve With Cheese Fondue
Bread: Crusty bread, French bread cubes, baguette, pretzels, bagel bites, pasta, tortilla chips, crackers, potato chips, sourdough bread
Fruit: Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricot, nectarine, peaches, oranges
Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, roasted baby potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, pickles, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, carrots, green beans, pearl onions, sweet potato fries
Meats: chicken, steak, meatballs, shrimp, ham, turkey, salami, sausage, crab, lobster
Recipes to Serve with Cheese Fondue
Dill Roasted Radishes
Roasting radishes change their flavor completely! If you haven’t roasted radishes, then try these Dill Roasted Radishes for a different Easter side dish.
Pretzel Hot Dog Bites
German pretzel outside, delicious hot dog inside, these Pretzel Hot Dog Bites are surprisingly easy to make. You can use your homemade pretzel dough, or frozen bread dough.
Soft Pretzels
These soft pretzels are the perfect salty, buttery pretzels with a soft and fluffy pretzel middle, and chewy pretzel crust. They’re ready in under an hour and are a delicious salty snack.
Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
These everything bagel pigs in a blanket are such a yummy and easy appetizer. Delicious mini sausages rolled up in flakey crescent roll dough, topped with everything bagel seasoning. They’re flakey, buttery, salty, and so delicious for a party!
Millet Tots
Millet tots are gluten-free, allergen-free, and vegan. The cute bear, heart, and star shapes make them fun for kids, and it’s a sneaky way to get your kiddos to eat veggies and millet without them knowing.
Waffle Fries in Air Fryer
How long to cook frozen waffle fries in air fryer? Get air fryer directions for Ore-Ida Golden Waffle Fries and frozen sweet potato waffle fries in the air fryer! You’ll love how crispy air fryer waffle fries are and how easy this one ingredient air fryer recipe is to make.
Cheese Croutons
Make Croutons with a leftover baguette and simple ingredients in minutes. Serve with hot soup, chilled salad, or as a snack on a cheeseboard!
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Are you looking for options to trick your kids into eating veggies or just a healthy snack to add to your meal plan? Then you must give these air fryer carrot fries a try. These sweet-savory crunchy carrot fries when served with your favorite dipping sauce, are bound to become everyone’s favorite.
Homemade French Bread
The BEST homemade french bread recipe made in just 90 minutes! So easy to make and comes out golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and chewy on the inside.
Easy Sourdough Discard Bread
This homemade bread is made in just a few hours and perfect for same day baking! The best part is, you don’t need a stand mixer or any fancy equipment. It’s perfect for the beginner baker!
Easy Homemade Baguette
This quick and easy homemade french baguette recipe is simple to make and the hands on time is fast! It’s beautiful and delicious, crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Try a baguette with cheese or butter or used as sandwich bread.
How To Cook Brats in the Oven
For the best way to cook brats in the oven, follow this easy recipe. These bratwursts will be hot, crispy, & juicy, even without cooking them on a grill. One bite of these oven-cooked brats with the mild taste of spices and the yummy drippings, and you will be hooked.
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
These bacon wrapped water chestnuts are crunchy marinated water chestnuts covered in bacon and a sweet and savory sauce, then baked to perfection. A quick and easy appetizer option that’s always a big hit!
Easy Vegan Mushroom Crostini
These festive vegan mushroom crostini recipe is an easy and impressive appetizer perfect for holidays. Crunchy baguette with grilled vegan mozzarella topped with sweet caramelized onions and mushrooms with a hint of balsamic and Dijon mustard will surely be a show stopper.
Easy Baked Shrimp with Sweet Peppers
Shrimp go great with everything, it’s just a fact. But they go especially well in this easy baked shrimp recipe paired with peppers and green onions – and a yummy summer cider.
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Air Fryer Potato Wedges are super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making the perfect easy side dish for this air fryer chicken thighs or an appetizer for dipping in ketchup or your favorite sauce.
Homemade Pretzel Bites
Homemade soft pretzel bites are easy to make and the perfect salty snack. Just as good as Pretzel Maker and you can enjoy them at home!
Oven Roasted Red Potato Wedges
These crispy oven-roasted red potato wedges are tender on the inside and golden and delicious on the outside. Simple to prepare, taking less than 10 minutes to whip together, they are a versatile and tasty side dish or can be served as an appetizer with dipping sauce!
Simple Steamed Cauliflower with Herbs
Making this recipe for simple steamed cauliflower with herbs is so easy. All you have to do is chop the cauliflower and steam it. Then drizzle it with a bit of olive oil, herbs and salt and pepper. It’s a naturally low-calorie, low-carb side dish to round out your dinner.
Peri Peri Fries
Adding some homemade peri peri seasoning to fries is an easy way to give them a flavour boost. These Peri Peri Fries have a serious kick to them, and it’s an easy way to make your own Nando’s at home. Serve these Nando’s fries with some homemade Nando’s chicken for a real fakeaway treat.
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