Cheese Substitutes: Fontina Alternatives For Your Next Dish

Fontina cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a creamy, buttery, nutty flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a fat content of around 45%versatile cheese that can be used in hot and cold dishes, such as sandwiches, fondue, pizza, and salads. If you are unable to find Fontina cheese, there are several substitutes that are similar in taste and texture, including Gruyere, Emmental, Havarti, Gouda, Provolone, and Taleggio.

Semi-soft cheeses with similar flavour profiles

Fontina is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a pungent and earthy flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a fat content of around 45%. There are several semi-soft cheeses with similar flavour profiles that can be used as substitutes for fontina. Here are some options:

Taleggio

Taleggio is an Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It has a bold flavour and a pungent smell, similar to that of aged fontina. It has a softer texture like young fontina, but its prominent flavour is closer to that of aged fontina. Taleggio can be used as a versatile substitute for fontina in various dishes such as salads, sandwiches, and pizzas.

Gruyère

Gruyère is a semi-soft cheese made in the Gruyère village in Switzerland. It shares a similar flavour profile with fontina, especially with a mature fontina, which has a nuttier and butterier taste. Gruyère has a comparable texture to fontina and is commonly used in sandwiches, hot dishes like pasta and casseroles, and even cheese sauces.

Emmental

Emmental, also known as Swiss cheese, is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a nutty flavour that is sometimes described as fruity, reminiscent of the nutty notes in fontina. Emmental has a strong smell that may be off-putting to some. It is a versatile cheese that can be used in sandwiches, melted in fondue, or grated over charcuterie boards.

Havarti

Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cow's milk cheese. It has a mild and creamy flavour profile similar to young fontina. Havarti is a porous cheese with tiny holes, contributing to its soft texture. It melts easily and is suitable for dishes like deli subs, paninis, pasta bakes, and cheese boards.

Vacherin

Vacherin is a soft mountain cheese made from cow's milk in France and Switzerland. It has a mild, buttery flavour and a creamy texture. Vacherin is best used in recipes where the cheese will melt, such as sauces, pastas, fondue, or savoury pies. Its soft texture makes it ideal for scooping and serving with crackers.

These semi-soft cheeses offer similar flavour profiles to fontina and can be used as substitutes in various dishes, depending on your preferences and availability.

Vegan substitutes for fontina

Fontina cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a pungent, nutty, and earthy flavour. It is made from cow's milk, giving it a natural sweetness and lightness. It is also high in fat content, at 45%, which makes it creamy and rich.

There are two forms of fontina cheese. The younger variety is soft and creamy and is often used for fondue. The more aged and mature fontina cheese has a stronger, nuttier, and richer flavour.

If you are looking for a vegan substitute for fontina cheese, there are a few options that can be used depending on the type of dish you are making.

Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is a good vegan alternative to hard and mature fontina cheese. It has a mushroomy, woody, and earthy flavour with a cheesy aroma. It is best used in grated form and is an excellent substitute for pasta bake recipes or other pasta dishes.

Tofu

Tofu, especially firm tofu, is a fantastic substitute for fontina cheese in recipes that require a creamy texture and a strong flavour, such as dips, sauces, pies, and pasta dishes. Tofu is a versatile base for dairy-free cheese substitutes and can be seasoned with herbs and spices to enhance its flavour.

Other Vegan Cheese Options

There are many vegan cheese options available in grocery stores that can mimic the soft and creamy consistency and nutty flavour of fontina cheese. These substitutes are made from plant-based ingredients and can be used in a variety of dishes.

Fontina's versatility in cooking

Fontina is a versatile cheese that can be used in a wide range of dishes, both hot and cold. Its creamy, buttery, and nutty flavour is fairly mild, and it has a semi-soft texture, making it ideal for melting. Here are some ways in which Fontina can be used in cooking:

Melting Cheese

Fontina's gooey meltiness makes it perfect for dishes like fondue, cheese dip, and cheese sauces. It can also be used in casseroles (such as mac and cheese), pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, frittatas, and baked stratas. Its ability to melt smoothly is why it's the cheese of choice for many baked dishes, casseroles, and gratins.

Grating Cheese

When Fontina is more mature, it becomes firmer and can be grated over soups, pasta dishes, rice, risotto, vegetables, and salads.

Table Cheese

Younger Fontina is often used as a table cheese, served at room temperature. It pairs well with roasted meat, such as roast venison, and truffle recipes.

Pairing with Wine and Fruit

Fontina's creamy, buttery, and nutty notes make it a good pairing with wine and fruit. It can be served with a wide variety of complementary wines and fruits like stone fruits, melons, apples, and pears.

Substitute for Other Cheeses

Fontina can be used as a substitute for other cheeses in various dishes. For instance, it can be used in place of Parmesan, especially for those who prefer a less fatty texture. It can also be used instead of Mozzarella, although Fontina has a nuttier flavour.

Where to buy fontina

Fontina cheese is usually found in delicatessens or in Italy since it is an Italian cheese. The best versions of Fontina cheese are found in Italy or in delicatessens, although some commercial varieties are available in larger supermarkets.

If you are in the US, you can buy Fontina cheese online from Amazon.com, which sells Italian Fontina Cheese by the pound. It is also available from artisanalcheese.com, which sells Fontina Valle d'Aosta, a wonderful cow's milk cheese made in the 6,500-foot-high Alpine pastures of Italy.

You can also try Wisconsin Cheese & Gifts, which delivers Fontina cheese nationwide in the US. They offer a limited-edition Tuscan Fontina, hand-rubbed in an irresistible blend of Tuscan spices.

If you are in Italy, the original Fontina cheese is recognised as the one from Valle d'Aosta in the Italian Alps.

How to store fontina

Fontina cheese is a semi-soft Italian cheese with a creamy, buttery, and nutty flavour. It is made from cow's milk and has a high fat content of around 45%Wrap the cheese tightly in parchment paper, waxed paper, butcher paper, or cheese paper.

• Place the wrapped cheese in a plastic container with holes poked in it to allow for air circulation.
• Store the container in the cheese drawer of your refrigerator.

Storage Times:

• Young Fontina: Stored this way, young Fontina will keep fresh for about 2 weeks.
• Aged Fontina: Aged Fontina can be stored for a longer period, up to 6 weeks, following the same storage method.

Serving Instructions:

If you're serving Fontina as a table cheese, it's best to let it come to room temperature before eating. Take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before serving to allow it to warm up slightly.

Storing at Room Temperature:

• It is possible to store Fontina at room temperature, but the temperature should not exceed 70°F (21°C).
• Keep the cheese on a cheese rack and cover it with a glass dome to protect it from dust and insects.
• Fontina stored at room temperature will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days.

Dealing with Mold:

• If mold appears on the cheese, don't panic. Simply trim at least an inch (2.5 cm) below the moldy part using a clean knife. Be careful not to touch the mold with the knife.
• Rewrap the cheese in fresh paper and store it following the instructions above.

Storing Grated Fontina:

• If you have grated Fontina, you can extend its shelf life by freezing it. Place the grated cheese in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to a year.
• Once defrosted, use the grated Fontina within a few days. The flavour and texture may change slightly, becoming less flavourful and drier.

By following these storage instructions, you can enjoy your Fontina cheese at its best and prevent waste. Remember to regularly check the cheese for any signs of spoilage and adjust the storage times accordingly.

Frequently asked questions