Cheddar Cheese Fondue

5 from 23 votes
22 Comments

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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!

Side view of warmed cheddar fondue with bread and vegetables for dipping.

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.

Piece of French bread smothered in warm cheddar fondue over the pot.

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.

Cheddar fondue in a fondue pot with sliced bread in skewers and a bowl with extra sliced bread and vegetables on a dish for dipping.

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

Fondue pot with Cheddar cheese fondue, bowl of sliced French bread and tray of vegetables.

Cheddar Cheese Fondue

5 from 23 votes
Cheddar Cheese Fondue is so versatile! It is smooth, creamy and has a delicious sharp flavor. Perfect for dipping vegetables, meat, bread, or crackers.
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, French
Servings 12

Video

Ingredients

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.
    Pot with base for cheddar fondue with cheddar and Swiss cheese on the side to add.
  • When it is just warm enough to melt cheese gradually stir in the cheese and laughing cow cheese with a figure-8 motion.
    Fondue Pot with cheddar cheese added to make cheddar fondue.
  • Add beef broth to thin if needed.
    Cheddar fondue in a fondue pot with sliced bread in skewers and a bowl with extra sliced bread and vegetables on a dish for dipping.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 15gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 484mgPotassium: 96mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 583IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 425mgIron: 1mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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

  2. 5 stars
    Cheesy options are my favorite. I love such amazing ideas for a party at home with amazing veggies and crackers too.

  3. 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?

    1. 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.

      1. Oh thank you for catching that! I will change that right now. It is supposed to say cornstarch.

  4. 5 stars
    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!