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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers ยป Melting Pot Cheese Fondue

    Melting Pot Cheese Fondue

    Published: Jul 6, 2022 by Chandice ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท 51 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    Melting Pot Cheese Fondue (Copycat) pin

    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.

    Swiss fondue recipe


     

    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!

    Cheddar cheese fondue recipe

    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.

    melting pot fondue

    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.

    melting pot fondue with bread

    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

    cheese fondue recipe

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

    melting pot cheese fondue

    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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    Melting Pot Cheese Fondue

    Melting Pot Cheese Fondue (Copycat) recipe in a white mug
    4.72 from 7 votes
    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.
    PRINT RECIPE SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
    Total Time: 25 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: cheese, fondue, melting pot
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 394kcal
    Author: Chandice Probst

    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)

    Instructions

    • Grate cheeses and toss them in a medium bowl with the cornstarch
    • In a saucepan, stir a little cheese with broth and dressing then simmer over medium-low heat
      cheese fondue recipe
    • Add the remaining cheese a little at a time, stirring well between each addition
      melting pot cheese fondue
    • 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 above

    Notes

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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 677mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Calcium: 457mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post was originally posted in December 2020 but was updated in June 2022.

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    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stefanie says

      December 29, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      4 stars
      I love the flavors and that it is so easy to make!

      Reply
    2. Karen D says

      December 29, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      Sounds wonderful. I usually use nutmeg with cheese, so I need to try this. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    3. Karen D says

      December 29, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      Sounds wonderful. I usually use nutmeg with cheese, so I need to try this.

      Reply
    4. Beth Beaty says

      December 29, 2020 at 7:04 pm

      We do fondue on Christmas Eve – can’t wait to try this cheese recipe~

      Reply
    5. Beth Beaty says

      December 29, 2020 at 7:02 pm

      We do fondue on Christmas Eve – can’t wait to try this cheese recipe!

      Reply
    6. Amy B says

      December 29, 2020 at 6:59 pm

      Great idea to add salad dressing for more flavor and creaminess!

      Reply
    7. Theresa says

      December 29, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      I love the simplicity of the recipe – plus, CHEESE.

      Reply
    8. Kate Renee says

      December 25, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      The delicious cheese combination would be wonderful and it’s a great fun option to add to a party.

      Reply
    9. Mary S. says

      December 23, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      Great fondue recipe! Canโ€™t wait to try it out!

      Reply
    10. John Smith says

      December 20, 2020 at 1:58 am

      There’s so much melty goodness here!

      Reply
    11. kimberly Ledford-burley says

      December 14, 2020 at 4:47 am

      These look amazing!! I love cheese, hot or cold

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        December 19, 2020 at 6:29 pm

        Thanks! Me too ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    12. Lindsay says

      December 13, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      I love that this is quick and easy to prep!

      Reply
    13. Cheryl B says

      December 13, 2020 at 12:02 am

      I like the three cheeses and th dressing combinations.

      Reply
    14. Starla says

      December 11, 2020 at 9:22 pm

      This looks absolutely delicious! I love that this is such a nice blend of cheese. I mean.. cheese and chocolate, I love them both SO much! Lol. Definitely pinning to try!

      Reply
    15. Chandice says

      December 10, 2020 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks Julie! It is a great option for those who are GF ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    16. Rachel B says

      December 09, 2020 at 6:58 am

      I love the combo of cheeses. I never thought of putting salad dressing in fondue!

      Reply
    17. April says

      December 09, 2020 at 4:19 am

      I love the combination of cheeses in this recipe. It would be so good with some gluten-free bread or pretzels.

      Reply
    18. Paula Decaria says

      December 08, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      I never thought to add salad dressing to fondue!

      Reply
    19. TEB says

      December 08, 2020 at 7:19 am

      I love that this is the sort of food that’s normally off limits if you are GF, too many unknowns in the recipe, not to mention the crumb-shedding dipping items! What a treat to be able to share and enjoy ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    20. Jessica To says

      December 07, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      These cheeses together in this recipe sound inviting!

      Reply
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