Bushra Griffith
A cheese fondue fountain is a fun and unique way to serve up a classic party staple. While chocolate fountains are more common, a cheese fondue fountain is a great alternative for those with a savoury tooth. Sephra offers a chocolate fountain that can also be used for cheese fondue, and there are also recipes for making your own cheese fondue from scratch. You can also buy ready-made cheese fondue, such as Queso Nacho Cheese, and thin it with chicken broth, beer, wine, or water to get the desired consistency. To use a cheese fondue fountain, simply preheat the fountain, add the cheese fondue, turn on the heat, and serve with dippers such as taco meat, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chips, bread, crackers, or pretzels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best type of cheese | Fontina, Gruyère, gouda, Swiss cheese, cheddar, Comté, Emmentaler, raclette, vacherin |
| Cheese preparation | Grate, don't chop, for quicker melting and a smooth fondue |
| Additional ingredients | Cornstarch, flour, white wine, chicken broth, beef broth, lemon juice, garlic, nutmeg, salt |
| Dippers | Bread, crackers, apples, potatoes, vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower), pretzels, meat, refried beans, sour cream, chopped onions, salsa, tortilla chips |
| Fountain | Sephra Select Home Fountain |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
The type and quality of cheese you use will have a significant impact on the final product. The best cheeses for fondue are those that melt smoothly and have a buttery, creamy texture.
The best all-around cheeses for a classic fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. If you're unsure, use equal amounts of these three cheeses. For a traditional Swiss fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best. Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and gouda are all good options. You can also add cheddar for a tangy flavour, although this is less traditional. Other fondue cheeses include Comté, Emmentaler (a variety of Swiss cheese), raclette, and vacherin.
If you're looking for a more unique flavour profile, you can experiment with different combinations of cheeses. For example, a mix of Gruyère, Emmentaler, and sharp cheddar provides a sweet, nutty, and tangy flavour. You can also try Emmentaler, Jarlsberg, and Beecher's cheddar, or a combination of cheeses local to your area.
When preparing the cheese, it's best to grate it rather than chop it to ensure quicker melting and a smooth fondue. You can also add cornstarch or flour to thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping. Classic fondue recipes also call for white wine, which helps to keep the cheese mixture smooth and gives it an even texture. Choose a dry, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay.
For a simple option, you can use a store-bought cheese dip, such as Queso Nacho Cheese, and thin it out with stock or chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.
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How to prepare the cheese
The quality and types of cheese you use will have a significant impact on the final product. The best cheeses for fondue are those that are buttery and creamy and melt smoothly. These include fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. For a classic Swiss fondue, you can use a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and gouda. Cheddar fondue is also an option, though its flavour is less traditional. Other fondue cheeses include Comté, Emmentaler, raclette, and vacherin.
For quicker melting and a smooth fondue, grate the cheese instead of chopping it. Cornstarch can also help thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping; flour can be used as a substitute, but cornstarch leaves less of an aftertaste and makes the fondue gluten-free. Classic cheese fondue typically includes white wine, as the acid in the wine helps keep the cheese mixture smooth and gives it an even texture. Choose a dry, high-acid white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. The taste of the wine will directly impact the taste of the fondue, so choose a wine you would enjoy drinking. You can also use beer or beef broth instead of wine.
For a simple cheese fondue, you can buy a big can of Queso Nacho Cheese and add stock or chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency. You can also add ingredients such as taco meat, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chopped olives, refried beans, chopped green onions, salsa, and wings or celery sticks. Melt all the ingredients to a smooth consistency and use a viscosity cup to determine whether the mixture is ready for the fountain. If it's too thick, add more liquid until you get the perfect flowing consistency.
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What to dip in the fondue
When it comes to what you can dip in a cheese fondue, the possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Bread
Bread is a classic dipper for cheese fondue and for good reason—it soaks up the warm cheese and creamy flavours, creating a delicious combination. Go for a French bread or baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes for easy skewering. Other types of bread such as breadsticks, croutons, multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels also work well.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits that pair well with cheese fondue include apples, especially tart varieties like Granny Smith, cut into cubes for easy dipping. Pears, pineapple, and grapes are also great options. For vegetables, try broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, and radishes. Lightly steaming or roasting some of these vegetables before dipping can help smooth out raw, bitter flavours and add a kick of healthy nutrition to your fondue feast.
Meat and Seafood
Meat and seafood options add protein to your fondue and make it a more filling meal. Try grilled steak, poached chicken, meatballs, cooked ham, cured meats such as beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, or sausage. For seafood, lightly steamed shrimp, crab, or lobster are elegant and decadent offerings.
Starches
In addition to potatoes, you can dip cooked pasta shapes with nooks and crannies, such as shells, fusilli, or rigatoni, to soak up the fondue. Other starches that work well include pretzels, wheat crackers, tortilla chips, and baby potatoes like Yukon Gold, fingerling, red, or purple varieties.
Remember, the key is to choose dippers that will hold together in thick, warm cheese. Get creative and enjoy experimenting with different combinations to find your favourite pairings!
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Using a chocolate fountain for cheese fondue
While chocolate is the most common fondue, you can use a chocolate fountain with anything that has a similar consistency to chocolate. You can create a cheese fountain with your chocolate fountain by using nacho cheese, which provides the best flow. You can also use processed cheese like Velveeta or canned cheese products like Chef-mate Que Bueno White Queso and Nacho Cheese Sauce. The canned cheese products have additives that prevent curdling and maintain a thin sauce-like consistency, making them perfect for a cheese fountain. You can also use a combination of different types of cheeses like fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. For quicker melting and a smooth fondue, grate the cheese instead of chopping it.
To prepare the cheese, heat it in a pot on the stove and mix it with water or milk to get the desired consistency. You can also add other ingredients like butter, corn starch, and salt to enhance the flavour and texture. Once the cheese mixture is smooth and creamy, transfer it to your preheated chocolate fountain and turn on the heat.
Some great dippers for cheese fondue include vegetables like carrots, celery, and broccoli, as well as bread, crackers, pretzel rods, and apples. You can also add salsa to the cheese to make a queso dip, but be sure to run the salsa through a food processor first to ensure there are no large chunks that could jam the fountain. If you want to get creative, you can even add taco meat, chopped tomatoes, sour cream, chopped olives, refried beans, and green onions to create a nacho-themed fondue experience.
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Cheese fondue fountain recipes
Classic Swiss Fondue
Swiss cheese is a popular choice for fondue because of its creamy, buttery texture and smooth melting properties. To make a Swiss cheese fondue, you'll need:
- Butter
- Corn starch
- Milk
- Salt
- Swiss cheese
- Another cheese of your choice (Gruyère, Gouda, fontina, or Emmental)
Start by melting the butter over low heat, then add the corn starch and stir until combined. Mix in the salt and slowly add the milk, stirring continuously. Once the mixture reaches a boil, let it boil for one minute while continuing to stir. Turn down the heat and add the cheese, mixing just until melted. Transfer the fondue to your preheated fountain, and adjust the consistency with extra milk if needed.
Nacho Cheese Fountain
For a fun twist on the traditional fondue, you can transform your chocolate fountain into a nacho cheese fountain. This is a great option if you're looking for a simple and easy recipe. You can purchase large cans of liquid nacho cheese from stores like Costco or Amazon. To thin out the cheese and achieve the desired consistency, you can add stock or chicken broth.
Blue Cheese Nacho Fountain
For a unique flavour, you can create a blue cheese nacho fountain by melting together blue cheese dressing, hot sauce, and cream cheese. Adjust the consistency with chicken broth if needed, and use a viscosity cup to determine if the mixture is ready for the fountain.
Tips for Using a Cheese Fondue Fountain:
- Ensure your fountain is preheated and warmed up before adding the cheese to ensure a smooth flow.
- If using a traditional fondue pot, rub the pot with garlic for added flavour.
- If your fondue becomes too thick, add a little white wine to thin it out and adjust the texture.
- For a simple and tasty side, wrap apple chunks with salami or pepperoni, then dip them into the cheese and enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
For a classic Swiss cheese fondue, a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best. Good choices include Gruyère, Swiss cheese, and gouda. For a smoother fondue, grate—do not chop—the cheese.
Classic cheese fondue calls for white wine. The acid in the wine will help keep the cheese mixture smooth and gives it an even texture. Choose a dry, high-acid wine such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay. You will also need cornstarch or flour to thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping.
Vegetables such as carrots, celery, and broccoli make good dippers, or pair cheese fondue with bread, crackers, pretzel rods, and apples. You could also serve it with meat, potatoes, or sliced fruit.
Melt the cheese with wine or cream on the stove until it reaches a smooth consistency. Transfer the cheese to your preheated fondue fountain and turn on the heat.
