What to Serve With Fondue Dinner? Here are Some Suggestions

Fondue dinners are a delightful way to bring people together around a communal pot of melted cheese or chocolate. To create a memorable fondue experience, the right accompaniments are key. Here’s a comprehensive guide to elevate your fondue dinner, covering everything from savory sides to delectable dippers.

Savory Fondue Accompaniments

Vegetables

• Classic Choices: Broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini are popular. For a touch of sweetness and crisp, consider adding bell peppers in various colors.
• Roasted Options: Enhance the flavors by roasting vegetables like broccoli, radishes, and asparagus. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness, making them a perfect contrast to the creamy fondue.

Proteins

• Meats: Fondue pairs wonderfully with various meats. Thinly sliced steak, bite-sized chicken pieces, meatballs, and different types of sausages, including sweet Italian and chorizo, are excellent choices.
• Seafood: For a gourmet touch, add seafood like shrimp. Whether grilled, sautéed, or fried, shrimp adds a luxurious dimension to your fondue dinner.

Breads and More

• Bread Varieties: Fresh bread, baguettes, rolls, and specialty bread like rye or pumpernickel offer a delightful texture contrast.
• Crunchy Alternatives: Consider cheese straws, pretzels, and homemade or store-bought crostini for added crunch and flavor.

Sweet Fondue Pairings

When it comes to chocolate fondue, the possibilities are tantalizing:

• Fruits: Fresh fruits like apples, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple are classics. A fruit platter with a mix of fresh and dried fruits, including figs and kiwi, makes a colorful and tasty side.
• Sweet Bites: Marshmallows, ladyfingers, and nuts offer a delightful contrast to the smooth chocolate.

Salads and Side Dishes

Balance the richness of fondue with lighter sides:

• Salads: Fresh salads like arugula, beet, or fennel & celery salad add a refreshing element. For something unique, try a tropical mango coleslaw or an apple fennel radish salad.
• Roasted Sides: Oven-roasted vegetables like zucchini and potatoes complement the fondue’s creamy texture.

Dips and Sauces

Enhance your fondue with a variety of dips and sauces:

• For Cheese Fondue: Options like cocktail sauce, honey mustard, chili sauce, tzatziki, and BBQ sauce add an extra layer of flavor.
• For Chocolate Fondue: Serve with mascarpone and a small pot of honey for dipping fruits and sweet items.

Wine Pairings

A fondue dinner isn’t complete without the perfect wine:

• With Cheese Fondue: Opt for dry white wines like Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, or herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. These wines, with their high acidity, complement the richness of cheese.
• With Chocolate Fondue: Choose a wine that complements the sweetness of the chocolate, like a lighter red wine or a sweet dessert wine.

Innovative Dippers for Cheese Fondue

Vegetable Varieties

• Green Beans: Air-fried green beans offer a healthy and crispy option.
• Veggie Skewers: Grilled veggie skewers are not just delicious but also visually appealing.

Breads and Dough-Based Items

• Specialty Breads: Rosemary parmesan bread brings a herbaceous twist to your fondue.
• Homemade Pretzels: Freshly baked pretzels add a delightful saltiness that pairs perfectly with cheese.

Unique Meat Options

• Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs: A modern twist on traditional fondue dippers, these meatballs are both juicy and flavorful.
• Roasted Zucchini and Potatoes: This combination offers a comforting and hearty option.

Sweet Dippers for Chocolate Fondue

• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes: These offer a unique sweet and savory combination.
• Oven-Roasted Asparagus: An unconventional choice, asparagus brings a unique flavor profile to chocolate fondue.

Creative Side Dishes

Salads

• Fruit-Based Salads: A salad with a blend of fruits like apples, fennel, and radish offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of fondue.
• Mixed Greens: A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette can cleanse the palate.

Hot Sides

• Deviled Eggs: A classic choice that pairs surprisingly well with fondue.
• Cheese Straws: These crunchy, cheesy snacks are perfect for nibbling between fondue dips.

Building the Fondue Experience

Setting the Table

• Presentation: Arrange your dippers and sides in an appealing manner. Use separate plates for different categories of dippers to make it easy for your guests.
• Accessories: Provide an array of fondue forks, skewers, and small plates. This helps in managing the dipping and enjoying process more efficiently.

Engaging Your Guests

• Interactive Dining: Encourage guests to mix and match dippers and sauces. Fondue is all about experimenting with different flavor combinations.
• Theme Nights: Consider having a theme for your fondue night, like a ’70s retro theme, which can be a lot of fun and add an extra layer of enjoyment.

Here is a video containing tips to host a successful fondue party.

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Last Words

A fondue dinner is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. By offering a variety of dippers and sides, from the traditional to the unexpected, you can cater to all tastes and dietary preferences. Remember, the joy of fondue lies in the shared experience and the delightful combinations of flavors and textures. So, gather your ingredients, set your table, and get ready for a night of delicious dipping and delightful conversations!