Fontina Fondue
A decadent appetizer recipe, this Fontina Cheese Fondue is super simple to make and so much fun to eat – whether you’re enjoying it with friends, family, or a special someone.
Disclosure: I did a paid social media campaign for Cello Cheese and loved the product so much, that I wanted to share their Fontina cheese in a blog post recipe with you!
Italian Cheese Fondue Recipe
While I love a good cheese plate, my first preference will always be a big pot of melty, ooey, gooey fondue!
Fondue is an often overlooked appetizer for special occasions – or just a fun Friday night treat. But really, what more could you ask for in an appetizer? You get a variety of your favorite dippables, warm melty cheese, and it’s just so much fun to gather round and dip away!
One key trick with fondue is keeping the cheese warm so that it stays melty. You can do this with a fondue pot or even one of those candle warmers set underneath a heatproof pan. However, if you think your crew will eat it pretty quickly, then you’re probably good to serve it in a thick ramekin that will keep the heat in.
I love the communal aspect of gathering around a fondue, taking turns dipping, and sharing such a delicious, decadent treat with your loved ones.
(I guess it could also be romantic, but I shared my fondue with this cutie – and my photo-bombing dad.)
For this recipe, I used Yellow Door Creamery’s Dijon & Herb Fontina Cheese.
In the past, when I’ve made cheese fondues it has been a bit of a chemistry experiment combining multiple types of cheese to create the perfect, creamy-melty-gooey fondue that tastes delicious all mixed together. Some cheeses do not play well with others!
So, for this low-key fondue, I wanted to go with a single type of cheese that would melt well yet stick to all of those yummy foods we were going to dip in – and fontina was the perfect choice!
What is Fontina cheese? Fontina cheese is a semisoft cow’s cheese that matures to a hard cheese. At any stage, it still melts well, making it perfect for fondue. Fontina originated in the Valle d’Aosta, Italy but is now made in other parts of Italy, France, and the U.S.
What kind of cheese is similar to Fontina? Mild provolone, gruyere, and gouda cheeses may all be substituted for fontina in this recipe, however, keep in mind that this Yellow Door Fontina also takes care of the herbs and spices in our recipe, so you will need to add a dash of those, too.
What is the taste of Fontina? Fontina is a cow’s milk cheese and has a mild, nutty flavor with notes of herbs and fruit.
What foods can you dip in cheese fondue? I think a mix of breads, fruits, veggies – and even some cuts of cured/dried meat:
- apples
- pears
- carrots
- celery
- radishes
- cucumber
- breadsticks
- cut up bread slices
- prosciutto
- turkey pepperettes
Ingredients for Fontina Fondue
- 1/2 pound fontina cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I used 2 packages Yellow Door Creamery Dijon & Herb Fontina Cheese)
- 1/2 cup half-and-half (table cream 10%)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 egg yolks
Plus all of your favorite dippables!
Tip: a traditional fondue adds the eggs in later but I had no issues adding them in at the beginning. If you have a bit more time, you can add them in at the halfway point, just add 4 minutes to your cook time.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Saucepan
- Fondue pot
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Cutting board
- Whisk or spatula
How to Make Fontina Fondue
Chop up the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and assemble your other ingredients, including your dippables.
In a medium saucepan, combine the cheese, half-and-half cream, eggs and butter over low heat. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and has started to thicken.
(You can use this extra time to set up the dippables on a plate, but I’d advise having them washed/chopped/prepped before you start making the fondue as it moves quickly.)
If the mixture doesn’t thicken after 10 minutes, add a dash of arrowroot powder or cornstarch if you’d like, but it’s not necessary and I’d avoid the temptation to add it any sooner than 10 minutes because you will likely end up over-thickening the cheese.
Carefully fold the hot mixture out into your serving bowl or a fondue pot and serve immediately.
Pin this Super Simple Cheese Fondue Recipe:
Grab your free printable for our Fontina Cheese Fondue recipe:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Fontina Fondue
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound fontina cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I used 2 packages Yellow Door Creamery Dijon & Herb Fontina Cheese)
- 1/2 cup half-and-half (table cream 10%)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 egg yolks
Instructions
- Chop up the cheese into 1/2 inch cubes and assemble your other ingredients, including your dippables.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cheese, half-and-half cream, butter, and eggs over low heat. Stir occasionally for 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Carefully fold the hot mixture out into your serving bowl or a fondue pot and serve immediately.
This decadent cheese fondue recipe is super simple and a delicious treat for any special occasion – whether a romantic Valentine’s Day appetizer, or a fun family night feast!
For more delicious appetizer recipes, check out our Pull-Apart Garlic Bread or our Lobster Roll Sliders.
