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What to Serve with Gelato? 10 BEST Side Dishes

While gelato simply means ‘frozen’ and refers to all types of ice cream in Italian cuisine, it is considered a frozen dessert in English.

The difference? It has a lower percentage of butterfat (6-9%) than its counterparts.

Also, gelato is more airy, flavorful, and richer than your regular ice cream, which makes it a great dessert for any type of meal.

So, you can enjoy gelato with pretty much any cuisine.

Gelato contains water, butterfat, lactose, air, milk, sugar, cream, egg yolks, and flavoring.

If you plan to serve gelato for dinner and are wondering what to serve with gelato, you’d want to give this post a read.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Gelato?

Gelato makes a great dessert on its own- but why stop there? There are many ways you can enhance this item using foods that complement it.

If you’ve decided to keep your main course light and want to have a full-fledged dessert, we’ve got some great side dish recommendations.

Gelato is airy, light, and flavorful.

So, you can opt for sides that have more substance.

Give it a nice crunch by adding graham crackers, sourdough waffles, an apple pie, and so on.

You can also add a nice contrast and density to the fluffy ice cream by serving croissants, oatmeal raisin cookies, and lemon bars, to name a few.

Check out these side dishes for gelato that are to die for.

You’ll never have to worry about what to serve with gelato again.

What to Serve with Gelato? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Italian-Style Croissant

Have you ever tasted paradise in the form of an ice cream sandwich? In Sicily, it’s particularly divine.

The classic summer treat is called brioche con gelato.

Think half a croissant filled to overflowing with creamy scoops of delicious gelato.

If that doesn’t sound like heaven enough for “a spoonful (or three)” of joy, try the variation which uses bomboloni – sugar-coated doughnuts crammed full with even more mouthwatering sweetness.

Don’t worry if your sweet tooth can’t decide between them; nobody will judge you here.

2 – Apple Pie

If you thought gelato and fruits alone were a perfect combination, wait until you add the sweet-tart taste of apple pie.

While the richness of an apple pie brings you back to the kitchen with mom or grandma, gelato adds a subtle flavor that elevates its taste without overpowering it.

The different textures also give your tastebuds something to enjoy.

There’s the crunchy shell, smooth filling, and cool gelato.

It’s a great way to end any meal on a sweet note, whether at home or out with friends.

Serving apple pie with some refreshing gelato will surely leave everyone satisfied and definitely happy.

3 – Sourdough Waffle

Enjoying the classic combination of warm and creamy is something that people of all ages can appreciate.

And sourdough waffle with gelato serves as the perfect example.

The waffle’s soft buttery texture pairs well with creamy Italian gelato.

Furthermore, the slight tanginess from the sourdough combines exquisitely with bursts of fruity sweetness from the gelato, creating an unparalleled taste like no other.

Hence, it is not a surprise that more and more people are experimenting and elevating their dessert game by serving sourdough waffles with gelato for a delightful treat.

4 – Peanut Butter

Serving peanut butter with gelato is a classic combination.

It’s like a breath of saltiness interrupting the sweetness of gelato.

Vanilla has always been a favorite when it comes to ice cream, so it makes sense that its use in gelato takes it to another level.

Pair that with a dollop of peanut butter, and you get an indulgent treat that cannot be beaten.

Whether you opt for a simple scoop served in a bowl or layered in a cup or cone, this pairing will reignite your love affair with dessert.

5 – Graham Crackers

Craving something sweet with a hint of salt? Look no further than Italian gelato and some tasty graham crackers.

The perfect marriage between the sweetness of gelato, especially if you go for a chocolate flavor, and the mild crunchiness of grahams is sure to hit all your tastebuds.

This heavenly combination can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack or part of an evening feast.

And let’s not forget; it’s also incredibly simple to whip up.

Put your twist on it by adding an extra sprinkle of cinnamon, more chocolate chips, or nuts; the possibilities are endless.

6 – Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ice cream and cookies make the perfect pair, and so do cookies and gelato.

With so many varieties to choose from, oatmeal raisin is always a delightful go-to.

The complementing textures between the soft, chewy cookies and creamy gelato is heavenly.

And, bonus, it makes for an easy dessert.

The sweetness of the raisins helps to balance out the tartness of some tangy gelato varieties and creates a balanced bite.

This sweet snack is perfect for any time of day too.

It can be a decadent dessert after a meal or a yummy midday pick-me-up when you need something sweet.

7 – German Chocolate Cake

Sweet tooths, beware.

Our amazing combination of velvety-smooth gelato and classic German chocolate cake is sure to put a smile on your face.

This dessert duo will tantalize all the senses, featuring rich, decadent cocoa flavors paired with coconut-pecan frosting.

The beauty of this combination is that it takes two classic desserts and elevates them to an unmistakably divine level.

Ideal for any occasion, from special celebrations to just wanting an extra indulgent treat, this scrumptious combo won’t disappoint.

8 – Caramel Tart

Caramel and gelato go together like water and boat.

Take it up a notch with caramel tarts, which add an extra layer of texture and flavor to the mix.

You can go for classic salted caramel or be daring and try unique flavor combinations like chocolate-dipped hazelnut caramel.

The caramel tart provides a rich buttery flavor, and its deliciously crunchy texture pairs perfectly with creamy gelato in classic flavors such as chocolate, coconut, and vanilla.

9 – New York Cheesecake

New York cheesecake and gelato; talk about a match made in heaven.

The creaminess of homemade, freshly churned Italian gelato beautifully complements the richness of traditional New York-style cheesecake.

Now that’s what you call indulgence at its finest.

Whether served together as a showstopping dessert or separately as two unique desserts, these classic treats pair perfectly to thrill your taste buds.

Both cultures have treasured their luscious desserts for generations, and this delicious combination will make you realize why they are undisputed culinary superstars.

So, next time when it comes to deciding on which after-dinner treat to pick, give this modern twist a try.

10 – Lemon Bars

Last but not least, we have something citrusy special for you- lemon bars and gelato.

The tartness of lemon combined with the sweetness of Italian gelato couldn’t get better than this.

These two treats go beautifully together, providing a burst of flavor that will take you away to a tropical paradise.

Better yet, choosing a minty-flavored gelato adds a refreshing twist that will make your taste buds dance.

Lemon bars are among the most underrated desserts, but with this combination, you’re sure to be won over by its deliciousness.

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