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Melty, Indulgent, Perfect: This Swiss Cheese Fondue Belongs on Your Table Tonight! Cheese fondue is one of those classic, cozy dishes that instantly turns dinner into something fun and memorable. Whether you’re dipping bread, veggies, sausages, or apples, melty cheese blend makes everything better.
This is the absolute best, and easiest Fondue for Valentines Day – and the best part? It’s much easier to make than you’d think- my Cheese Fondue Recipe is perfect for date nights, parties, or just because cheese deserves to be the main course!
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At Sweet C’s, I add lots of tips in all of my recipes – because I am a home cook without any formal training, and I find I am more confident making dishes when I understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. My goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
How to Make Classic Cheese Fondue
This classic cheese fondue recipe combines melty Gruyère and Emmental (or Swiss cheese) with white wine, garlic, shallots, and a touch of seasoning for a smooth, luxurious dip that’s perfect for sharing and totally irresistible!
Whether you’re dipping crusty bread, veggies, or fruit, fondue makes for a fun and interactive appetizer or main dish that feels both cozy and elegant – it’s one of my family’s favorite dinners.
Cheese Fondue Ingredients
To make this recipe, we will need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil – Used to sauté aromatics; adds a soft, neutral richness.
- 4–6 cloves garlic, minced – Builds deep, savory flavor and balances the richness.
- 1 shallot, minced – Adds a mild, sweet onion note that melts into the cheese.
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste – Brings subtle heat and enhances overall flavor.
- 1 pouch store-bought fondue cheese (7–8 oz) – Melts smoothly and adds convenience with balanced flavor.
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese – Nutty and creamy; the star cheese that defines classic fondue.
- ¾ cup dry white wine or dry vermouth – Adds acidity, smooths texture, and balances richness with brightness.
Steps to Make Cheese Fondue
Once we’ve gathered our ingredients, we will use the following steps:
Soften Shallot and Garlic
Add minced shallot and garlic to pan with olive oil. Cook until fragrant and softened, do not brown.
Flambe Wine
Add wine and carefully light with a match, let burn off alcohol briefly, then blow out.
Melt Cheeses
Stir cheeses into shallot and wine, stirring to slowly incorporate and remove clumps.
Season
Season with pepper. If too thick, can add a bit of dry white wine to loosen. Stir well on low heat until incorporated.
Serve & Dip!
Serve in a fondue pot, crock warmer, or over a tealight to keep warm, and dip bread, potatoes, vegetables or even meat in the cheese!
Tips and Tricks to Perfect Cheese Fondue
Use good melting cheeses: Go for cheeses like Gruyère, Emmental, Fontina, or sharp white cheddar. A blend of two or three gives the best flavor and texture.
Grate your cheese first: Grated cheese melts more evenly than cubes. It also prevents clumping and helps create that smooth, velvety texture.
Toss cheese with cornstarch or flour: Before adding to the pot, coat the grated cheese in 1–2 tablespoons of cornstarch. This helps thicken the fondue and prevents separation.
Low and slow is key: Don’t rush the melting process. Keep heat low and stir constantly in a zig-zag or figure-eight motion (not circles) to keep it smooth.
Add cheese gradually: Stir in the cheese a handful at a time, letting each addition melt before adding more. Dumping it all in at once causes clumping.
Use wine for flavor and acidity: Dry white wine not only adds flavor but helps emulsify the cheese, creating a silky finish. Avoid sweet wines — they can make the fondue overly sweet.
Add garlic and seasonings for depth: Rub the inside of your pot with a clove of garlic before cooking for subtle flavor. Finish with a dash of nutmeg, white pepper, or Dijon mustard.
Keep it warm, not hot: Fondue should stay warm but not bubble. If it overheats, it can break and get grainy. A low flame or tea light is perfect for serving.
Prep a variety of dippers: Bread cubes, blanched veggies, roasted potatoes, apples, pears, or even cooked sausage are all great choices.
If it separates, fix it fast: Stir in a splash of lemon juice or more cornstarch slurry to bring it back together if the cheese starts to break or get oily.
Cheese Fondue Recipe FAQs
Gruyère and Emmental are traditional — they melt beautifully and have a rich, nutty flavor. Fontina and white cheddar also work well.
Yes! Use low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth with a splash of lemon juice for acidity if you prefer to skip the alcohol.
This usually happens when the cheese is added too quickly or the heat is too high. Always melt cheese slowly and stir constantly.
Reheat gently over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk or broth to help smooth it out. You can also reheat in the microwave in short bursts.
Crusty bread cubes, roasted or blanched vegetables, apples, grapes, pears, cooked sausage, and boiled baby potatoes are all great options.
Fondue is best served fresh, but you can prep all ingredients ahead and reheat slowly just before serving.
Cheese Fondue Night Ideas: What to Serve, What to Dip & How to Make It Fun
Delicious Dippers. Here’s where the fun begins… what to dip in fondue! Grab a mix of:
- Crusty bread (hello, sourdough or no knead bread!)
- Steamed veggies like broccoli or butter poached potatoes
- Cooked sausage or meatballs
- Apple slices or pickles for a little tang
- Sliced London broil
Make a Fondue Board! Pile poached potatoes, cubed bread, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, celery, carrots, cooked sausages, cooked shrimp, even slices of steak all on a board and let everyone go wild dipping! This is a great way to get kids having fun at dinner for a family night.
Make it a Pairing: If you’re looking for what wines to serve with fondue, I recommend:
- A crisp white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc, Vinho Verde, or Sancerre)
- Light beer or sparkling cider
Make It Fun: Set the mood! Light a candle, put on cozy music, wear fuzzy socks—whatever makes it feel like a little event! Add some lobster tails, chocolate fondue for dessert, and you’ve got a whole night planned.
What to Serve With Fondue
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The Best Cheese Fondue
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 –6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 14 oz pouch store-bought fondue cheese OR 14 oz shredded Emmental + 1 oz brandy, about 7–8 oz
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese
- ¾ cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
Instructions
Sauté garlic and shallot:
- In a heavy-bottomed fondue pot or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic and shallot. Sauté until soft and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes — do not let it brown.
Deglaze with wine:
- Pour in the white wine or vermouth and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes to slightly reduce and mellow the alcohol.
Add cheeses:
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in the pouch of fondue cheese and shredded Gruyère a handful at a time, stirring constantly in a figure-eight motion. Let each addition fully melt before adding more.
Season:
- Add freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue stirring until the fondue is smooth and velvety.
Serve:
- Transfer to a fondue pot over low heat or a tea light. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers like crusty bread, roasted potatoes, apples, veggies, or sausages.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
