What to Serve with Cheesecake? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Cheesecakes have come a long way.

From their early introduction in ancient Greece to modern Michelin star restaurants, this dessert has won the hearts of many worldwide.

Before we go any further, it is essential to note that cheesecakes are different worldwide.

Different cultures have other recipes for making them.

However, we can narrow it down to two categories-baked and unbaked.

Basically, baked cheesecakes have a crunch texture, while unbaked ones are wobbly and almost souffle-like.

Common ingredients include cheese, eggs, sugar, and crushed cookies.

Whether they are baked or unbaked, you cannot deny that they would pair well with several side dishes.

If you want to know what to serve with cheesecake, keep reading below.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Cheesecake?

Cheesecakes are a popular dessert in many eateries.

You can find them almost everywhere, from delis to fancy restaurants.

And most people like to have it by itself or have something by the side to accompany it.

Having a slice of cheesecake alone won’t do.

Many people would avoid something extra to go along with it.

But trust us, you have to give this a try.

Firstly, having sides like crackers or dried fruits makes the eating experience even better.

Cheesecakes are usually soft, and something crunchy or sour on the side won’t hurt.

You can even try a fruity dipping sauce or jelly.

Your cheesecake won’t be the same again, and you will find yourself returning to this formula.

What to Serve with Cheesecake? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here are 7 excellent side dishes to pair with cheesecake.

1 – Mixed Fruit Salad

What better to start this off than with a refreshing bowl of fruit bites.

A mixed fruit salad is a perfect partner for your creamy cheesecake.

As far as fruit salads go, you have plenty of options.

Strawberries, mango, raspberries, apple, etc., are great options.

You can drizzle in a little whipped cream for a bold move.

Dig into your colorful bowl of fruit salad while having a bite of that soft cheesecake.

The combination is unreal. You will find yourself asking for second helpings.

2 – Mango Kulfi

How about mixing it up with some Indian flavors? Grab yourself a kulfi ice cream to go with your cheesecake.

Kulfi is a dessert from the early 16th-century era of Indian history. And it has come a long way since.

You will find kulfis all over India and neighboring countries.

Kulfis require slow cooking and continuous stirring, giving them that unique taste.

Mango kulfis are a favorite among kulfi lovers.

The mango flavor and condensed milk texture seem to blow everyone’s minds away.

Try it with your cheesecake slice next time. It will be quite a treat.

3 – Japanese Milk Buns

These buttery soft milk buns are not like your regular buns.

Japanese milk buns are so soft they literally melt in your mouth.

Plus, they are about the size of dumplings, making them a perfect cheesecake pair.

Apply a light coat of butter for a pleasing salty and sweet combo.

You can also lightly toast them for a light crunch.

These milk buns are also very easy to make at home. So give it a try.

4 – Falooda

Would you like some noodles with your cheesecake? Of course, we are not talking about those spicy ramen noodles.

It is falooda that is our next side dish.

The Indians have an uncountable number of desserts.

And falooda is another one of those that has come a long way.

The traditional recipe includes basil seeds, vermicelli, and rose syrup.

They are usually paired with ice cream.

But we know they would be an excellent option as a side dish with cheesecake.

You can experiment with tons of flavors as well.

Moreover, faloodas are a thick beverage.

Sipping on your thick and creamy falooda while taking a bite of that cheesecake is unmatched.

5 – Toasted Caramelized Nut Mix

Here is a simple one for you.

Sometimes, you do not need a burst of flavor when you enjoy a cheesecake.

That is when a bowl of toasted caramelized nuts comes in handy.

This one is easy to make and takes only 5-10 minutes.

As the name suggests, you mix your favorite nuts in a bowl.

Our favorites are almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, etc.

Next, heat them in a pan with sugar and butter and occasionally stir to prevent them from burning.

And there you have it. A tasty, crunchy bowl of caramelized nut mix in just 5 minutes.

This one is a winner with a cheesecake all day long.

6 – Pandesal

This next side dish comes to us from the Philippines.

Pandesal is like the Filipino equivalent of a French baguette.

If you like your buns less airy or soft, the pandesal is an excellent option.

We can still get a hint of saltiness, but they taste slightly sweeter.

Thus, it makes for a lovely combo with your cheesecake.

Make sure to toast them lightly before serving.

This gives it a golden-brown crust on the outside.

The light crunch and soft creamy flavors between the buns and cheesecake are to die for.

You can have them plain or dip them in Nutella, or drizzle in some whipped cream.

Both are equally tasty.

7 – Candied Fruits

Do you love sugary treats? If so, candied fruits are an excellent accompaniment to your cheesecake.

If raw fruits sound bland, give candied fruits a try.

You can use whole fruits like cherries, sliced pineapples, or lemon peels.

“Candying” is simply coating these fruits in sugar syrup to preserve them.

Candied fruits are chewy because they are literally like pickled fruits (pickled in sugar).

They still have that fruity goodness that goes so well with your cheesecake.

Conclusion

Cheesecakes are the perfect dessert after a nice, hearty meal.

And most of the time you will enjoy them on their own.

But how about giving one of these side dishes a try next time? You might end up enjoying them more than you think.

These sides are all winners and definitely deserve your attention.

As with most desserts, try to keep the flavors mild. You do not want overly sweet side dishes.

And you do not want anything savory to go with your cheesecake.

We hope this list gives you an idea of what to serve with your cheesecake.

All in all, explore and have fun with different recipes.