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This Cheddar Cheese Fondue is so versatile—it’s perfect for dipping vegetables, meat, bread, or crackers. It is smooth and creamy, with a deliciously rich sharp flavor. Plus, it’s alcohol-free so the entire family can enjoy!
Cheddar Cheese Fondue
My family is obsessed with this cheddar cheese fondue!. Not only because it’s delicious but there is so much you can do with this dip recipe. There are fairly few ingredients to this recipe, and it takes about 20 minutes or less to put together. For this cheddar cheese fondue recipe, I like to use the Oster 3-qt Electric Fondue pot because you can control the temperature. This fondue pot is affordable and not too big and is easy to stash away and pull out whenever you are in the mood for a special treat.
This fondue recipe is perfect for a romantic night in. You’ll also love this Easy Chocolate Fondue for dessert or this savory Melting Pot’s Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue. For a special date night, try some of our 10 Fun and Romantic Dinner Date Night at Home Ideas!
Alcohol-Free Cheese Fondue
Most fondue recipes call for white wine, or lager beer, which is kind of a bummer if you are making cheese fondue for kids or someone who does not consume alcohol. This version, on the other hand, is 100% alcohol-free! It was hard to find another recipe that I liked without alcohol, so I decided to make my own. It tastes delicious, and so fun to see the crazy combinations kids choose to dip in.
How to Cook Meat in a Fondue Pot
Sometimes we dip meat into the cheese fondue. The meat will need to be cooked before you dip it in. Often we end up just grilling the meat in a pan or on the grill, but you can also cook it in the fondue pot beforehand.
To do so, you will need to use oil. Make sure you read the directions for your specific pot to get the manufacturer’s recommendation. The Oster Electric Fondue Pot we use allows you to heat the oil to the exact right temperature without scorching. Once the oil is ready at 375 degrees, you are ready to start cooking.
If your pot does not have a temperature setting, one easy trick to use to see if it’s ready for meat is to heat the oil until it is hot enough that if you drop a bread cube in, it will turn golden brown in 30 seconds.
Cooking Times for Meat in a Fondue Pot
Here is a basic time-table of how long everything needs to cook for. Of course, the time estimates vary greatly depending on how thick your meat is. I generally chop my meat into 1/2″ to 3/4″ cubes. Before eating, make sure the meat is cooked through and your time estimations are right.
- Shrimp (uncooked) – appx. 1 minute (or until pink and opaque)
- Chicken — 2 min
- Beef/Steak — 45 seconds – 1 min
- Sausage — 1 min
Once the meat is cooked through, use a skewer or a fork to dip into the yummy cheese.
Do I Need a Fondue Pot to Make This Recipe?
Probably. This recipe was specifically created to be used in conjunction with a fondue pot. The pot will keep your cheese mixture at high heat which will melt it evenly and then once it is melted, keep it at the perfect warm temperature without scalding the bottom. Electric fondue pots are also fairly inexpensive. The one we use costs about $30.
There are a few other ways you can try to make this cheese fondue without one. I haven’t personally tested these, but if you decide to, please come back and leave a comment to share what worked (or what didn’t).
Some people have had luck creating fondue recipes using a slow cooker on medium heat or medium-low heat setting. Other reviews I read said that a double boiler pot over the stove works as well. I personally love having a fondue pot around to make this cheese fondue, but you can always try one of the above and see if it works for you.
What to dip into cheese fondue
Ready for some suggestions as to what you can dip into your cheddar cheese fondue? I have so many! Here are some of my favorites. Side note: If you are dipping veggies, I would suggest blanching them so they are JUST crisp-tender.
- French bread
- Any baguette
- Tortilla Chips
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Green or Red Pepper
- Potatoes
- Brussels Sprouts
- Sausage
- Steak
- Chicken
- Shrimp
How to Make Cheddar Cheese Fondue
Cheddar Cheese Fondue
Video
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 cloves garlic crushed
- 2 teaspoon ground dry mustard
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- 6 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded or cubed
- 4 wedges laughing cow cheese original, creamy Swiss
Instructions
- In a fondue pot or saucepan over LOW heat, combine beef broth, milk, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, dry mustard, and cornstarch. Don't let it boil or even come to a simmer.
- When it is just warm enough to melt cheese gradually stir in the cheese and laughing cow cheese with a figure-8 motion.
- Add beef broth to thin if needed.
Nutrition Information
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We did a Valentines fondu theme thing with the kids. Used this recipe. So good! I mixed the cornstarch into the shredded cheese, then gradually added that. Will def use this recipe again
Can you use flour instead of cornstarch? Or is there another alternative to cornstarch? I am allergic to corn.
I think that would work!
Is there any way I could do half cheddar and half gruyere, ya think?
Yes! In fact, that sounds amazing!
Who doesn’t love cheese? Add bread to dip in and it’s a guaranteed party winner!
Agreed!
We are a cheese obsessed house so this is so perfect for us! Fun to do for a celebration at home too.
This is the perfect party food! 🙂
Cheesy options are my favorite. I love such amazing ideas for a party at home with amazing veggies and crackers too.
I loved fondue and this recipe turned out perfectly! Super creamy, rich and delicious!
I love cheese fondue. It gives me happy memories of being in Switzerland.
Love cheese fondue. Such a great recipe!
This cheddar fondue recipe is amazing!
Hot, melty cheese has party written all over it!
I love this cheese fondue!! So delicious and easy! The dipper options are endless!
OMg I love fondue…and this was delicious!
This sounds really good– I’d like to make it.
In the ingredient list it calls for cornstarch but in the directions it says flour instead. Would just like to know if you use a same amount of flour as cornstarch?
I wondering the same thing, I’m going to use cornstarch not flour. The fondue I’ve made in the past I mixed the cornstarch
With the cheese before it went into the the pot.
Oh thank you for catching that! I will change that right now. It is supposed to say cornstarch.
I love this blog! I found it from my sister…. so many yummy recipes!!! Thanks for sharing!
Fabulous! We did fondue for Christmas Eve after church. It was perfect. We did a Swiss cheese and beef teriyaki. We were too full for the chocolate fondue, so we had that on Christmas.
Excellent blog, great recipes!