Melting Pot Cheese Fondue (Copycat)

Name: Melting Pot Cheese Fondue
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1/2 pound gruyere cheese; 1/2 pound fontina cheese; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 cup chicken or veggie broth; 1 cup Asiago Caesar dressing (we use BRIANNAS brand)

This melting pot cheese fondue is the perfect appetizer that everyone will love. It's such an easy recipe made with only 5 ingredients in under 25 minutes.

No need for a fondue set or complicated ingredients like mustard powder for this recipe! Serve with your favorite seasonal vegetables, crackers, pretzels, or bread for the best easy appetizer.

Fondue is the perfect comfort food during the holidays. It makes a great appetizer for family gatherings or special event. Serving this cheesy fondue with chocolate fondue is the perfect pairing that the family will love.

I find that any type of cheesy appetizer is always a crowd pleaser which is why my sour cream chip dip is another go-to recipe. I also love making my instant pot artichoke dip or a grazing table for larger crowds.

You can dip a variety of things in melted cheese but I love gluten-free biscuits or gluten free crackers. The combination of crunch and ooey gooey cheese is unbeatable!

What cheese works for fondue?

Gouda is one of the most commonly used melting cheeses but gruyere cheese and fontina cheeses are my personal favorites. You can make great fondue with many different types of cheeses like shredded cheeses, medium-aged cheddar, or even Swiss.

What's in melting pot fondue?

There's a lot of different fondue recipes out there but this one calls for only simple ingredients. There's no beer mixture or or dry mustard in this recipe which is why it's such a hit.

Gruyere Cheese

Gruyere cheese is a type of hard Swiss cheese that has an incredibly smooth texture when heated. This cheese simmers perfectly under low heat which is why it's perfect in fondue.

Fontina Cheese

Fontina cheese is an Italian cheese that's slightly buttery and nutty. It compliments the gruyere cheese nicely and also melts easily. You can find both types of cheeses at most grocery stores.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch helps thicken this fondue recipe so that it has the consistency of warm honey. You don't want your cheese fondue to be too runny or too thick.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth or vegetable broth will work for this simple recipe. This helps smooth out the melted cheese so don't forget this important ingredient.

Asiago Caesar Dressing

I think that BRIANNAS brand works best but you can use whatever Caesar dressing is your favorite.

How do you make melting pot fondue?

There's only four easy steps to this fondue recipe. You don't need an electric fondue pot or a small crock pot. You can make this recipe on the stove with equipment you already have.

Step 1: Grate cheeses and toss them in a medium bowl with the cornstarch

Step 2: In a saucepan, stir a little cheese with broth and dressing then simmer over medium-low heat

Step 3: Add the remaining cheese a little at a time, stirring well between each addition.

Step 4: Carefully pour the fondue into a fondue pot or individual fondue cups and serve with fondue forks or wooden skewers and a variety of dippers like we've listed below.

Pro tip: Add garlic salt, black pepper, or Worcestershire sauce to your fondue for extra flavor and kick.

Expert tips and FAQs

Why do you put cornstarch in cheese fondue?

When making fondue it's important to use small amounts of a thickener. You don't want your fondue to be too runny or else it won't grab onto your bread or vegetables.

What can I use instead of fondue forks?

If you don't have fondue forks, you can use bamboo skewers instead. These are cheaper than fondue forks so they work well for large groups. If you make fondue often, I recommend using fondue forks so you can wash and reuse.

What are good dippers for cheese fondue?

There's a lot of great dipping options for this cheddar cheese fondue recipe. Artisan breads, french bread, baby shrimp, crackers, a red bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, celery, pita chips, etc. are my favorite dippers.

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