Gooey, creamy, amazing cheese fondue is actually quite easy to make! It’s a quick, impressive dish that makes a great appetizer, special occasion meal, or weeknight dinner! This recipe is your step-by-step guide to making a delicious fondue.

Why we absolutely love cheese fondue
When I was little, I thought fondue must be something for kids.
I couldn’t understand why those funny long forks with brightly colored plastic tips didn’t belong to my brother and me.
My parents let me try their fondue once or twice; I remember dipping a slice of apple into the pot and being disappointed by the taste of the wine and funky Gruyere.
Now that I have kids of my own, I’ve made it my mission to create an easy, kid-friendly version of fondue that everyone will enjoy. And that’s it! The flavor is rich and cheesy, with just a tiny hint of tang. The texture is smooth as honey and the fondue reaches as high as little arms can reach. Is our version an authentic Swiss recipe? nope Does it turn the family dinner into an ooey gooey, cheesy party that loves our veggies? You bet.
In fact, fondue can sometimes tempt reluctant vegetable eaters (like my daughter!) to eat veggies because it’s so easy to enjoy broccoli when it’s skewered and dunked in melty goodness. Best of all, this recipe is made with simple ingredients that you can buy at any supermarket. So really, every night can be a fondue night!

Ingredients for cheese fondue:
- Gouda cheese Cheese– Gouda cheese is a creamy, nutty cheese that is aged for a more intense flavor that works beautifully in fondue.
- Gruyere cheese– Gruyere is a Swiss cheese that has a slightly salty and nutty taste, with a slightly sweet and caramel-like flavor.
- cornstarch– Cornstarch helps thicken the fondue and create a smooth and creamy texture.
- chicken broth (or dry white wine)– Chicken broth is a mild liquid that keeps your fondue super kid-friendly. However, when feeding an adult crowd, the wine’s flavor is delicious while producing a smoother texture.
- Chopped Garlic– Freshly chopped garlic works best here.
- lemon juice– Lemon juice adds a nice acidity that goes well with the cheese and also keeps the cheese from separating and becoming stringy.
- Dry Mustard– Dry mustard gives the fondue a nice spicy bite.
- Ground nutmeg– Ground nutmeg really warms up and rounds out the flavor. Don’t be afraid of the nutmeg! It’s very subtle and delicious.

Prepare cheese fondue:
- grid both cheeses. Place them in a large ziplock bag along with the cornstarch. Shake until well covered.
- heat a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the broth, lemon juice and garlic to a gentle simmer.
- To reduce Reduce the heat to medium-low and gradually add the cheese mixture, handfuls, to the simmering broth.
- stir after each handful until cheese is completely melted.
- Removed Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard and nutmeg.
- Pour Pour into a fondue pot or serve directly from the pot.
- surcharge with your favorite dippers and enjoy!

What to dip in cheese fondue:
While you prepare the fondue, have a colorful variety of dishes ready for dipping. The more different vegetables and fruits you offer, the more likely your kids will find something they’ll be happy to cover with cheese and devour. Here are some of our favourites:
- Crusty Bread
- pretzels
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Green beans
- paprika
- carrots
- asparagus
- celery
- cherry tomatoes
- pickles
- apple pieces
- pear slices

Tips & Suggestions
Use good quality cheese
This will make all the difference in your end product. Do NOT use pre-shredded cheese here.
Which cheeses are best for fondue?
You want creamy, buttery cheese that melts smoothly. Gruyere, Gouda and Fontina are your best bets. Other cheeses that are less traditional but also melt well include Cheddar, Havarti, Munster, Colby, and Monterey Jack.
Can you reheat leftover fondue?
You can store leftover fondue for up to 3 days. Heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.
How do you keep your fondue cheese smooth?
Be sure to add your cheese in small handfuls, stirring constantly. Don’t add any more cheese until it’s completely melted. Go slowly and don’t rush anything! If your fondue is still grainy, you can add some cornstarch to hold the cheese together and smooth it out.
What can I do if my fondue cheese is too thick?
If your fondue is too thick, you can add a little more of the liquid you used to start (stock or wine) to thin it out.
What is the best type of fondue pot?
There are many different types of fondue pots on the market and it really depends on what you want or how often you intend to use it. An electric fondue pot is great for maintaining a constant temperature. This fondue pot is a simple, inexpensive option that uses tea lights to keep the pot warm. This large cast iron fondue pot is ideal for larger groups.

Want more delicious dips? Try these!

- 1/2 lb Gouda cheese
- 1/2 lb Gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Cup Chicken broth, low sodium or dry white wine
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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Grate both cheeses and place in a large Ziploc bag along with the cornstarch. Shake until cheese is well coated (this is a fun activity for kids!)
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In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan (cast iron is best), bring the broth (or wine), lemon juice, and garlic to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
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When the broth begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and add a small handful of cheese, one at a time, turning the fondue after each handful until the cutlets are completely melted.
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Once all of the cheese is well incorporated, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the mustard and nutmeg.
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You can pour into a fondue pot at this point or just serve it straight from your pot. Serve with your favorite dippers!
- If you serve this as an appetizer, this will make 8 servings. If you serve as part of a main meal, this will serve 5-6 people.
- Using chicken broth will give you a milder flavor and may not be as smooth as using wine. A dry white wine is ideal.
Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 3G | Protein: 16G | Fat: 17G | Saturated Fatty Acids: 10G | Polyunsaturated fat: 1G | Monounsaturated fatty acids: 5G | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 444mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 0.1G | Sugar: 1G | Vitamin A: 429ie | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 488mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Natalie Monson
I am a Registered Nutritionist, mother of 4, an avid food lover and a strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you’ll find lots of delicious fruit and veg-packed recipes, tips on how to get your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters, and plenty of resources to feed your family.
Learn more about Natalie