Cheese Fondue Recipe

5 from 7 votes

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This Cheese Fondue Recipe is the perfect appetizer or easy dinner. Grab a few veggies, breads and/or meats and get dipping!

Is there anything better in this life than cheese? I submit there is not. Cheese Fondue is basically a pure melted cheese sauce that you dip different veggies, apples, breads and meats into…also known as my love language. Today I’m sharing my recipe for super basic cheese fondue, thanks to Craigs Creamery, that anyone can make from scratch. 

Eddie and Lauren enjoying fondue

Cheese Fondue Recipe

You’re only 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes away from having your own delicious cheese fondue to dip into to your heart’s content. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese – for the best cheese to use in fondue, scroll down!
  • Chicken Broth – or vegetable broth or white wine OR a mixture of a broth and cooking wine. It’s all up to you.
  • Cornstarch – this is used to thicken and stabilize.
  • Lemon Juice – optional but adds a fresh taste.
  • Salt and Pepper – to taste.
What to Dip in Cheese Fondue

Best Cheese for Fondue

Make sure you use good quality white cheddar cheese! I used Sharp Cheddar from Craigs Creamery, Upstate New York’s new farm-to-table cheese brand—but you can find it in the grocery store! Founded by eight family-run dairy farms who are committed to delivering the best, freshest New York dairy, their cheese is crafted with high-quality milk, all-natural ingredients, and no added hormones. It also doesn’t hurt that it tastes amazing!

Cheese Fondue

Tips and Tricks

I have a few pointers to ensure fondue success, though if you’re the slightest bit proficient in the kitchen, you should be able to handle this recipe no problem.

Holding Heat. Be sure to either make the fondue on the stove and transfer to a special fondue pot OR make in a heavier pot that can hold its heat so you’re not running back to the stove to reheat again and again.

Prepare Beforehand. Get all your dipping ingredients ready to go BEFORE you make the cheese fondue. It only takes about 5 minutes to make the cheese sauce total and just leaving it on the stove sitting over low heat for 15-20 minutes while you slice up a few veggies or apple slices will mean that sauce is more likely to break (get chunks in it and not be a super smooth sauce). Of course, re-heating it and whisking it through can help, as can a small squeeze of lemon juice, but after trying this recipe out three different times, this is how we got it to work the best!

Shred Your Own Cheese. You will need to shred the cheese straight from the block. DO NOT use pre-shredded cheese as it has a powder coating on it to keep it from clumping in the bag which will hinder a completely smooth fondue sauce. Take the time to shred it yourself and you won’t be disappointed with the results!

Eddie and Lauren enjoying fondue

How to Make Cheese Fondue

  1. Grate cheddar cheese using a box grater and set aside.
  2. In a small, heavy-bottomed pot, bring chicken broth and cornstarch to a boil. Slowly whisk in grated cheese bit by bit until all of it has been incorporated and a thick, smooth sauce has formed.
  3. Remove from heat and serve immediately with any desired dipping ingredients.
Cheese Fondue

What to Dip in Cheese Fondue

The possibilities really are endless with cheese fondue. My favorite was the baby boiled potatoes, but here are some great ideas for dipping.

  • Boiled Potatoes
  • Cooked Chicken Sausage
  • Sliced Apples
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Crusty Bread
  • Pretzels
  • and pretty much anything else that goes with cheese!

Lauren helping Eddie

Eddie with a fondue stick

More Fondue Recipes to Try!

Cheese Fondue
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5 from 7 votes

Cheese Fondue Recipe

This Cheese Fondue Recipe is the perfect appetizer or easy dinner! Grab a few veggies or meats and get dipping!
servings 6 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 15 oz Craigs Creamery Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
  • 1 cup chicken broth vegetable broth or white wine
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • items to dip, such as: boiled potatoes, cooked chicken sausage, sliced apples, tomatoes, broccoli, crusty bread, pretzels, etc.

Instructions

  • Grate cheddar cheese using a box grater and set aside.
  • In a small, heavy-bottomed pot, bring chicken broth and cornstarch to a boil. Slowly whisk in grated cheese bit by bit until all of it has been incorporated and a thick, smooth sauce has formed.
  • Remove from heat and serve immediately with any desired dipping ingredients.

Notes

If you notice your fondue happens to be separating, try reheating while whisking. 
If this doesn't seem to be doing anything, add in a little more cornstarch dissolved in a touch of cold water. Continue heating and mixing and this should correct it and bring it back to all its smooth and creamy glory.

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 101mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 513mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese fondue, cheese fondue recipe, how to make cheese fondue
5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




15 Responses
  1. Kimberly Duncan

    5 stars
    I’ve never attempted to try making fondue myself yet and you made it sound so easy so next girls night I will try this and see what happens I means its cheese it will have to be delicious haha thanks for the recipe and tips!

  2. Kimberly C Smith

    5 stars
    My kids love having Fondue as a New Year celebration tradition. I will have to try this milder recipe, I think it will be a hit. Thank you!

  3. Christine

    Hi Lauren – this looks delicious- I never thought about dipping with sausage- this would make a perfect and easy quick meal! What brand of chicken sausage do you have in the pics?

  4. Jackie

    As a Swiss, this recipe for “fondue” makes me smile but also raise my eyebrows – omitting Gruyère, white wine, garlic, nutmeg & paprika and not serving it over a burner truly would make this more of a cheese sauce than fondue… though I’m sure it’s pretty tasty.

  5. Courtney

    I agree there is nothing better in life that can’t be made better by cheese. Love the pic with Eddie and that cheese pull. He must love cheese as much as his mama.

  6. Jan

    5 stars
    That looks so good Lauren! Your an amazing cook, mother of 3 and wife! I will being keeping an eye out for this cheese down here in Arizona!

    Happy upcoming birthday to Brooke!
    Happy to see Blake is getting better!

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