Cheddar Cheese Fondue Recipe

A simple cheddar cheese fondue recipe perfect for a starter, side with dinner, or as the first course for your fondue party at home. If you’re looking for something different to make dinnertime fun and exciting, try starting with cheddar cheese fondue! It’s a great way to spice up your mealtime routine. Cheese fondue is the perfect appetizer or the first course of a complete fondue dinner — 1) cheese, 2) hot pot with meats and veggies, and 3) chocolate dessert fondue. In this article you’ll find: How to Make Cheddar Cheese Fondue Fondue is very easy to make; however, let me share a few tips and tricks with you to make sure it tastes the best every time. Let’s get started! With only 5 ingredients, here’s what you’ll need to get started. *There are endless ways to vary this recipe! Use your favorite beer or wine or hard cider. Try different types of cheese. Add delicious toppings like nuts and dried fruits such as craisins. *Why 8 to 11 ounces of cheese? We buy blocks of 8 ounces apple smoked cheddar cheese and it works well without having to buy another block. But up to 11 ounces will give you a bit more to enjoy! Recipe Instructions & Tips Start by gathering all the supplies you’ll need, including your cheese grater, fondue pot, fondue sticks, measuring cups, and spoons. Prepare serving trays with dippers (see list below). Set up the fondue pot right at the table if you have an electric pot and a chord long enough to reach (or extension cord). Consider all safety concerns – such as people tripping on the chord or needing a heat protector underneath the pot. If you are using a double broiler setup, add water to the bottom of your fondue pot and bring it to a boil. Add your second pot on top of the water. (If you’re using a single pot, no worries! Just be really careful to stir your cheese often and watch your heat setting to prevent burning.) While you are heating the fondue pot, grate your cheddar cheese. I like to use a grater that keeps your hands safely away from the grater itself. Using freshly shredded cheese is very important to get a smooth texture. The shredded cheese you buy at the grocery store has anti-clumping additives. Next, toss the freshly grated cheese with flour. This will act as a thickener for the fondue. Don’t skip this step! Once your pot is pre-heated, add the beer and bring it to a boil. Then add half of your cheese mixture to the boiling beer and mix well with a whisk. Add the second half of your cheese mixture and whisk more until smooth and creamy. Finally, add your ground mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Set to warm and serve immediately with fondue dippers. Cheese Fondue Dipper Ideas My favorite part of serving fondue is gathering all sorts of delicious dippers. I always select a variety of different types – from bread and pretzels to veggies and fruits. Here is a list of what to dip in cheddar cheese fondue (and certainly our favorites!). Get creative and add your favorite breads, chips, fruits, veggies, and even pre-cooked meats. Just make sure you prepare in bite-sized pieces – easy for dipping. The Best Fondue Pot to Make Cheese Fondue at Home The Cuisinart electric fondue maker is the fondue pot I personally have at home. It’s worked really well for all types of fondue. I’ve recently started using a bowl on top to make it a double broiler-type pot for cheese and chocolate. Why we love it: Cons: Why we love it: Cons: Fondue cookbook Get the ultimate fondue recipe cookbook from The Melting Pot, and learn from the experts. You’ll find so many great recipes to keep right alongside your fondue pot. Hot pot recipes you can make for the main course to cook raw meats and veggies. And pair with delicious sauces. Not to mention additional cheese fondue recipes, chocolate, and dessert fondue — and cocktail recipes too. Cheddar Cheese Fondue Recipe Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Yield: 4–6 servings 1x When I first made this recipe, I was worried about it containing alcohol – but it burns off. I’ve found alcohol bases are best to make the cheese creamy and smooth. We often use bud light. Don’t skip the flour – you need a thickener. Freshly grated cheese is a must. Store-bought will have anti-clumping additives.  It is best to prepare the cheese fondue right before you serve it. A double broiler is recommended to prevent burning. See the entire recipe post for the best dipper ideas for cheese fondue. Keywords: cheddar, cheese, fondue, appetizer, party Did you make this recipe? Tag @northernyum on Instagram and hashtag it #northernyumRecipe Card powered by How do I melt cheddar cheese for fondue? As explained in this recipe, the key to melting cheddar cheese for fondue is to shred the cheese beforehand. And add half of the cheese to the base (in this case, the boiling beer) and whisk until it has all melted. Then you add the remaining cheese and whisk again until the cheddar cheese fondue is melted and creamy. What can I substitute for beer as the fondue base? Our fondue always turns out the best when we use alcohol as the base – beer or wine. This recipe requires you to bring the beer or other base to a boil which will burn off the alcohol. Where to buy cheese for fondue? I like to shop in the gourmet cheese section of the grocery store when making fondue. High-quality cheese will only make your fondue better. But at least make sure you buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Can I make cheese fondue without a fondue pot? Yes! You can make cheese fondue without a fondue pot. Just use a large pot on your stove, add a few inches of water, and then add a second pot on top to make a double broiler. This will prevent direct heat from burning or overcooking your cheese. And eat right away, so the cheese stays as warm as possible. Pin for later: How to Make Cheddar Cheese Fondue