What to Dip in Cheese Fondue (20 Best Ideas)

If you’re wondering what to dip in cheese fondue, I have you covered!

Although I’m sure it tastes wonderful with a spoon, cheese fondue is an indulgent dish.

There are lots of options when it comes to enjoying cheese fondue.

From bread to veggies, to meat, the limit does not exist. 

Cheese Fondue Dip with Fresh Grapes and Bread

Invite friends over and rate your favorites while catching up with a glass of wine. Cheese fondue is indulgent, fun, and super tasty. 

Head to the grocery store and grab your favorites. You’re about to learn all the best things to dip in cheese fondue. 

What is Cheese Fondue?

Cheese fondue is only one of the most scrumptious appetizers around. It originated in Switzerland in the 1700s. 

When food was scarce in the winter months, farmers had to make do with what they had.

Using leftover cheese, stale bread, and wine, cheese fondue was born. 

Cheese fondue as we know it today has hardly changed. It’s a combination of warm cheeses, wine, and flavorful seasonings. 

Everything gets mixed together until it’s all nice and ooey-gooey.

It makes the perfect dipping sauce for many different ingredients. 

What to Dip in Cheese Fondue

1. Bread

A Basket of Bread Varieties

One of the most popular dippers for cheese fondue is bread.

It’s widely available, inexpensive, versatile, and delicious. 

Crusty bread soaks up the cheesy, flavorful goodness and makes for one perfect bite. Any bread will do. 

Try a baguette, sourdough, rye, Focaccia, brioche, bagels, and more!

Cut the bread into bite-size pieces and dip them in the fondue.

.You can even toast the bread before you dip it so it stays in one piece.

2. Pretzels

Bunch of Pretzels on a Table Cloth

Homemade pretzels, store-bought, soft, crunchy. Seriously, every kind of pretzel tastes incredible with cheese fondue. 

If you want a hearty appetizer or snack, try your hand at homemade soft pretzels. They’re warm, chewy, and salty. 

Pretzel sticks or mini pretzel twists are also a yummy choice.

The crunch is fantastic and coating them with cheese makes it even better!

3. Crackers

Bunch of Crackers in a Wooden Bowl

Crackers turn cheese fondue into the best version of chips and dip you’ll ever have.

Trust me, it will be hard to stop eating crackers with cheese fondue. 

Try any kind. From whole wheat to pita chips, you can’t go wrong.

You can even make homemade crackers with your favorite ingredients. 

4. Meatballs

Fried Meatballs in a Skillet

Looking to make cheese fondue more filling? Meatballs are the way to go. 

Meatballs aren’t just for pasta. Whether they’re made of pork, beef, chicken, turkey, or vegan meat, you can dip them!

Melty cheese and savory meatballs are a match made in heaven. Plus, meat and cheese as a meal is always a great idea!

5. Seafood

Varieties of Seafood in a Rectangular Plate

Seafood isn’t always the first option for cheese dipping. But you have to trust me. 

Get the good stuff. I’m talking about lobster tails, crab legs, salmon, shrimp…anything!

Dunk it into your warm, melted pot of cheese for an unforgettable meal.

This would make a fantastic companion to a steak dinner with lots of tasty side dishes. 

Try using flavors like citrus or Old Bay seasoning in the cheese!

6. Apples and Pears

Apples and Pears On a Wooden Table with Autumn Leaves

Apples and pears are one of my favorite cheese fondue dippers. 

The combination of crisp, sweet, fruit and savory, warm cheese is heavenly.

My favorite kind of apple to use is Granny Smith. They’re extra crunchy and the tartness is incredible with cheese. 

Bosc pears also make a terrific dipping choice.

The undertones of nutmeg and cinnamon enhance the flavors of the cheese fondue. 

7. Potato Croquettes

Potato Croquettes on a Wooden Cutting Board

Warm, crispy-on-the-outside potatoes can only get better with one thing: cheese. 

Gooey, creamy, melted cheese with fluffy, crispy, delicious potatoes. I’ll bet your mouth is watering already. 

I love this option for dipping into cheese fondue because it makes a fantastic appetizer or side dish.

It’s also great for dinner parties. 

8. Pita Chips

Pita Chips in a Woven Basket

Pita chips are a cheese fondue dipper that will have you coming back for more.

Dip one salty pita chip into a pool of hot cheese, and you’ll be hooked. 

If the cheese wasn’t delicious enough, dip some crunchy chips into it.

They’re like a shoveling device for cheese fondue but they also taste so good. 

Pita chips can be store-bought or made at home.

They’re pretty easy to make, so if you’re feeling fancy, make them yourself!

9. Steak Bites

Steak Bites in a Pan

I mean, come on. Do I have to say it? Cook up some perfectly seasoned steak bites and dunk them in melted cheese. 

Are you running to the kitchen yet? The meaty steak and rich cheeses are a perfect combination. 

This meal makes for one special date night dinner at home. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy this irresistible meal. 

10. Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Sausage

Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Sausage on Sticks

Another meat option that tastes great with cheese is smoked sausages wrapped in bacon. 

You won’t believe how good this salty, cheesy, savory combination is. It’s hearty and filling, too. 

This incredible combination of flavors will be an instant crowd-pleaser.

Serve it at summer parties or on a cozy Sunday night. 

11. Broccoli and Cauliflower

Raw Broccoli and Cauliflower in a Basket

Broccoli and cauliflower are amazing with cheese. You can dip them raw or roasted but most prefer them uncooked. 

This popular veggie-cheese duo is a fantastic choice for any fondue flavors.

The crunchy, flavor (and vitamin) packed veggies tastes great when they’re covered in gooey cheese

Plus, broccoli and cauliflower are a bit healthier than some other cheese fondue dippers. 

12. Sausage Slices

Varieties of Sausage Slices on a Wooden Cutting Board

Slice up some of your favorite sausages. Bratwurst, Italian sausage, Kielbasa, or hot dogs.

Whatever you choose, cheese will take it to the next level. 

Since sausages tend to be saltier than meatballs or other meats, they’re fantastic with cheese!

Slice them on the bias and throw them on a platter with all your favorite dippers. 

13. Chicken Poppers

Chicken Poppers on a Ceramic Serving Plate

Throw out the ranch and barbeque sauce.

Once you start dipping chicken poppers into cheese fondue, nothing can compare. 

Tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy exterior is one of the yummiest dippers yet.

You can enjoy this combination as your whole meal. 

Just dip, pop, repeat. 

14. Dill Pickles

Dill Pickles on a Ceramic Plate

I know, dill pickles may seem like a strange dipper for cheese fondue. Hear me out. 

This is one incredibly tasty combo. The salty, briny, tangy pickles combined with rich, melty cheese is heavenly. 

If you already love pickles, you won’t regret this choice.

If you’re on the fence with pickles, this will probably sway you to become a pickle lover.

15. Gnocchi

Gnocchi on a Round Ceramic Plate

Gnocchi makes sense in a bowl of creamy sauce.

Switch it up and dip it into a bowl of melted cheese, and you’ll win the fondue jackpot. 

Fluffy, pillowy gnocchi is so tasty. Plus, it’s easy to make at home if you have a little bit of time. 

Indulge in a swoon-worthy fondue of fontina and spinach for a flavorful meal. 

16. Fried Wontons

Bunch of Fried Wontons on a Wooden Plate

Back to crunchy toppings, fried wontons are a spectacular option. 

Wontons on their own don’t have a lot of flavor. But they do add a delicious crispness to your cheese fondue. 

They make great scooping utensils, and they taste delicious with any type of cheese. 

17. Carrot Sticks

Raw Carrot Sticks on a Wooden Bowl

Carrot sticks are basically made for fondue dipping. 

No fondue forks are needed for this one. Grab some carrot sticks and dunk them into the melted cheese.

For a crunchy snack or appetizer, leave the carrot sticks raw. 

For extra flavor and softer texture, roast them with a hint of salt and pepper. 

18. Baked Scallops

Eight Pieces of Baked Scallops on a Square Plate

Baked scallops are a luxurious option to pair with your cheese fondue.

The scallops are delicious on their own but when you add velvety cheese, they’re irresistible. 

Scallops are delicate but you can still dip them in a cheese fondue.

You can also spoon the cheese on top to smother baked scallops in all that goodness.  

19. Ham Slices

Ham Slices on a Wooden Cutting Board

Ever had a ham and cheese sandwich? Imagine it elevated to the fondue degree. 

Dip ham slices or cubes into cheese for a wonderful bite full of nostalgic flavor.

Add ham to an all-meat platter for your cheese fondue. 

Everybody will love this delicious duo.

20. Bell Peppers

Red Green and Yellow Bell Pepper on a Wooden Table

Colorful bell peppers make a great addition to your fondue party. 

Choose red, green, orange, yellow, or all of the above. They’re fresh with a nice crunch and lots of flavor. 

Cut the bell peppers into slices or serve mini peppers whole. These will be a crowd favorite!

What to Dip in Cheese Fondue (20 Best Ideas)

Curious about what to dip in cheese fondue? From crackers to steak bites to bell peppers, the dipping possibilities are truly endless.

Ingredients

  • Bread

  • Pretzels

  • Crackers

  • Meatballs

  • Seafood

  • Apples and Pears

  • Potato Croquettes

  • Pita Chips

  • Steak Bites

  • Bacon-Wrapped Smoked Sausage

  • Broccoli and Cauliflower

  • Sausage Slices

  • Chicken Poppers

  • Dill Pickles

  • Gnocchi

  • Fried Wontons

  • Carrot Sticks

  • Baked Scallops

  • Ham Slices

  • Bell Peppers

Instructions

  • Select your favorite recipe to dip in cheese fondue.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a delicious recipe in 30 minutes or less!
What to Dip in Cheese Fondue

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