Ideas and Tips for an Old School Fondue Party
Remember fondue? It’s that social way of eating where you dip all sorts of nibbles and small bites in gooey melted cheese or decadent melted chocolate. You may not know this, but you can also enjoy fondue for dinner by dipping/cooking thinly sliced meats and par-cooked vegetables in either hot broth or oil. This means that you can make a full three-course meal (or even more) entirely out of fondue.
Aside from being downright delicious, it’s a fun, interactive way to eat with friends. If your heart yearns for that melted goodness, here are ideas and recipes for planning an old-school fondue party!
Want seasonal and holiday content delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now and receive free exclusive recipes, unique party hosting ideas and more!
1. First Course: Cheese
When I throw a fondue party, I like to start off with the cheese course, in melted form of course. This traditional cheese fondue recipe combines Emmentaler and Gruyère cheeses which is a classic pairing for a rich, flavorful fondue. An expert tip: rub a clove of garlic cut in half around the inside of your cheese fondue pot to give a hint of garlic flavor without overpowering the whole thing.
https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/02/cheese-fondue-emmentaler-gruyere-recipe.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SERIOUS EATS2. Beer and Cheese Fondue
Though it may sound strange if you haven’t tried it, beer and cheese is a flavor combination that hits it out of the park every time. This recipe for beer and cheese fondue is guaranteed to have your guests dipping and dunking all night (or at least until the cheese runs out). Mini soft pretzel bites make the perfect dipping companions for this sharp, savory cheese fondue!
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/beer-cheese-fondue-51194210 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: EPICURIOUS3. Pimento Cheese Fondue
If you’re from the South, we don’t need to explain pimento cheese to you, but for those who haven’t experienced its sharp and tangy ways, I’ll just say this stuff is the bomb! When melted down into creamy liquid perfection, pimento cheese becomes almost like a southwest queso cheese dip, perfect for dipping bell peppers, celery or crunchy corn chips.
https://www.popsugar.com/food/Pimento-Cheese-Fondue-Recipe-34738497 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: POPSUGAR4. Swiss And Cheddar Cheese Fondue
This fondue recipe is a combination of swiss and cheddar cheese. It’s so easy and will come together in minutes! You will need butter, cornstarch, milk shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded swiss cheese. If you don’t have a fondue pot you can whip this dip together on the stove top and then transfer to a ceramic dish that will keep the cheesy goodness nice and warm!
https://butterwithasideofbread.com/swiss-cheddar-cheese-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BUTTER WITH A SIDE OF BREAD5. Spinach And Artichoke Fondue
Spinach and artichoke dip is one of the most sought-after restaurant appetizers! With that said, there’s no question that this spinach and artichoke fondue will be a crowd pleaser! For this recipe, you’ll need gruyere cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, flour, white cooking wine, baby spinach, and artichoke hearts. This fondue pairs wonderfully with french bread, raw broccoli, carrots, and even apples!
https://iwashyoudry.com/spinach-artichoke-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: I WASH YOU DRY6. Mushroom Brie Fondue
This cheesy fondue recipe is paired with delicious sauteed mushrooms. The fondue contains not only brie cheese but swiss and blue cheese too! It’s exploding in exciting flavors and pairs perfectly with crusted bread. This recipe also highly encourages that you enjoy this mushroom brie fondue with your favorite cabernet.
https://domesticsuperhero.com/mushroom-brie-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DOMESTIC SUPERHERO7. Aged Cheddar And Guinness Fondue
A delicious aged cheddar fondue gets an adult makeover! Add a dash of Guinness stout and experience a flavor you’ve never experienced before! This recipe lets you in on a few secrets that will help you achieve the perfect consistency when putting your fondue together! Some other amazing flavors you’ll experience in this fondue are garlic, apple juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
https://steamykitchen.com/198-fondue.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: STEAMY KITCHEN8. Blue Cheese Fondue
Blue cheese fondue and hot chicken wings are a match made in heaven! Throw together this appetizer and prepare to blow everyone away! All you’ll need for this recipe is crumbled blue cheese, cornstarch, dry white wine, low-fat milk, and fat-free cream cheese! This fondue may pair perfectly with chicken wings but also with bread, smoked sausage, and carrot and celery sticks too.
https://www.dashofsanity.com/blue-cheese-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: A DASH OF SANITY9. French Onion Cheese Fondue
Experience the flavors of French onion soup is an ooey-gooey cheesy fondue! This fondue is made up of 3 different kinds of cheese; Fontina, Butterkase, and shredded Grand Cru Original. This recipe will provide you with a breakdown of how each cheese plays an important role in creating an unreal flavor. Lastly, these cheese’s are combined with savory caramelized onions that make this fondue unforgettable.
https://foxeslovelemons.com/french-onion-cheese-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FOXES LOVE LEMONS10. Olive Garden Copycat Recipe: Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta
Olive Garden has many famous dishes and amongst those dishes is their Smoked Mozzarella Fonduta. This copycat recipe allows you to make your restaurant favorite at home and it might even save you a few dollars too! This creamy dish is full of Italian cheeses, sour cream and is served with a side of Italian bread.
https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/smoked-mozzarella-fonduta-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: TASTES OF LIZZY T11. The Easiest And Cheesiest Vegan Fondue
If you follow a plant-based diet or have a dairy allergy/intolerance then this recipe has your name written all over it! However, even if you don’t need dairy-free recipes, you’ll love this too! This cheesy fondue gets a cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast. Further, the perfect texture is created by blending cashews. Lastly, it is seasoned with delicious ingredients such as white miso, white wine, and garlic.
https://www.veganosity.com/the-easiest-and-cheesiest-vegan-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: VEGANOSITY12. Vegan Beer Cheese Fondue
This is another excellent dairy-free fondue option that will definitely be a hit! This cheesy fondue is infused with a pale ale that makes the flavor truly stand out. Along with beer, you’ll need nutmeg, white wine, garlic, dijon, sauerkraut brine, and a few other exciting ingredients. This fondue pairs well with a fresh baguette, vegan sausage, and roasted potatoes!
https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2018/11/8/vegan-beer-cheese-fondue PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOT FOR FOOD13. Butternut Squash “Cheese” Fondue
Butternut squash, nutritional yeast, and full-fat coconut milk come together to create an unforgettable creamy dairy-free cheesy fondue! First, you’ll need to roast the butternut squash in the oven. To do this, simply drizzle olive oil on the squash wedges and sprinkle with salt and sage. Later you’ll blend the squash with delicious seasonings in a food processor until it reaches the perfect creamy consistency!
https://www.thegreenlife.ca/butternut-squash-cheese-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE GREEN LIFE14. Jalapeno Popper Cheese Fondue
Transform the flavors of delicious jalapeno poppers into an ooey-gooey fondue! This recipe can be made on the stovetop so don’t stress if you don’t have a fondue pot! The delicious flavors come from 4 different kinds of cheese, crumbled bacon, and chopped jalapeno poppers and will pair wonderfully with warm pretzel bread!
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/jalapeno-popper-cheese-fondue-stovetop/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SPEND WITH PENNIES15. Crab Fondue
This creamy crab fondue is perfect for every seafood lover! The creamy base is made from cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon zest! Then, you’ll add in the other ingredients including the tender crab meat. You’ll want to make this on the stove top then transfer to the fondue pot after. Lastly, enjoy this fondue with day-old French or Italian bread!
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/crab_fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SIMPLY RECIPES16. Badger’s Cheddar Ranch Fondue
Instead of whipping up a veggie tray with ranch dip, try making this cheddar ranch fondue! It’ll surely be a hit and is full of flavors that everyone loves! For this fondue, you’ll need white wine, Hidden Valley ranch salad dressing and seasonings mix, flour, cheddar cheese, butter, and tomatoes. Cook the fondue on the stove top and either serve immediately or transfer to a fondue pot!
https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/badgers-cheddar-ranch-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HIDDEN VALLEY17. Pizza Fondue
Pizza is a crowd favorite so there is no question that a pizza fondue will be too! This fondue comes together incredibly fast and only requires 3 simple ingredients. These include 1 jar of Ragu pasta sauce, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese. It serves well with bread, meatballs and any other pizza toppings that can be cut into bite-sized pieces!
https://www.730sagestreet.com/pizza-fondue-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: 730 SAGE STREET18. Main Course: Broth/Oil
Now that you’re full of melted cheesy goodness, let’s move onto the main course. A fondue main course traditionally consists of pieces of raw or par-cooked vegetables and sliced or cubed raw meats or seafood, all of which get cooked in either hot oil (real old school) or a flavorful broth. Having a sputtering pot of hot oil on your dinner table can be a little intimidating so if you’re nervous at all, opt for a broth version instead. This lemongrass fondue broth is perfect for putting a Thai twist on your fondue main course.
http://www.bakersbeans.ca/pork-fondue-in-lemongrass-broth/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: BAKERS BEANS19. Roasted Garlic Fondue Broth
Your fondue cooking liquid can do wonders for imparting flavor into the vegetables and proteins you cook in it, and this roasted garlic fondue broth is anything but basic. Loaded with sweet roasted garlic flavor, this broth pairs perfectly with chicken and pork or seafood such as shrimp and scallops.
http://www.fonduenight.com/2015/10/10/yummy-garlic-chicken-fondue-broth/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FONDUE NIGHT20. Coq Au Vin Fondue
Yes, you read right, this is the classic French dish coq au vin (chicken with wine) in fondue form, how fancy! Imagine how impressed your dinner guests will be while they dip sliced chicken and cubed beef in this flavorful broth of red wine, chicken broth, onions, and mushrooms.
http://www.mommiecooks.com/2011/02/02/fondue-recipe/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: MOMMIE COOKS21. Dessert Course: Chocolate
Finally, we’ve reached the point in the fondue dinner that everyone has been waiting for; THE CHOCOLATE. While it may look as simple as melted chocolate, there’s a little more required to keep things fluid. Some recipes add cream to the melted chocolate while others (like this one) add evaporated milk to make things smooth and extra creamy.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chocolate-fondue-recipe.html PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FOOD NETWORK22. Vegan Chocolate Fondue
This chocolate fondue is made so quickly you’ll only need 5 minutes of your time and just 6 ingredients! This is also a vegan recipe which is perfect for plant-based dieters and those who have a dairy allergy or intolerance. You’ll need coconut cream, cocoa powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, sugar, and vanilla. Blend all the ingredients in a blender and serve warm with your favorite dippers!
https://joyfoodsunshine.com/vegan-chocolate-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JOY FOOD SUNSHINE23. White Chocolate Champagne Fondue
This festive fondue is perfect for any celebration! It will only take 15 minutes of your time and requires just 4 ingredients. These ingredients include white chocolate chips, white baking chocolate, heavy whipping cream, and champagne! It’s perfect for the holidays, for New Years, or any event worth celebrating! Serve with fresh strawberries and cubed pound cake!
https://www.theseasonedmom.com/white-chocolate-champagne-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE SEASONED MOM24. Toblerone Fondue With Amaretto
While you’re grabbing a couple candy bars from the grocery checkout be sure to grab a couple Toblerone bars because you need to try this Toblerone fondue! Along with Toblerone bars, you’ll need heavy cream, espresso powder, and Amaretto liqueur. You can create this recipe on the stove-top or in a fondue pot and it’ll turn out great either way!
https://chattavore.com/amaretto-toblerone-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHATTAVORE25. Easy S’mores Fondue
Enjoy campfire s’mores all year long with this fondue recipe! The base of this fondue is made up of creamy irresistible chocolate. That decadent chocolate layer is followed by jumbo marshmallows. Place the fondue in the oven and set the oven to broil until the marshmallows are golden brown. Lastly, dig in with graham crackers for an authentic S’mores experience!
https://www.reneeskitchenadventures.com/2015/06/easy-smores-fondue.html?m=1 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: RENEE’S KITCHEN ADVENTURES26. Peanut Butter Butterscotch Fondue
Rich butterscotch is combined with creamy peanut to create a delicious fondue! In addition, this fondue only takes 1o minutes to create! Combine butterscotch chips with half and half cream, smooth peanut butter, vanilla and a dash of salt and melt the ingredients together on the stove top. Lastly, transfer the dreamy fondue to your fondue pot and enjoy with fresh fruit!
https://jamiecooksitup.net/2017/05/peanut-butter-butterscotch-fondue-30-fabulous-fondue-dippers/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JAMIE COOKS IT UP27. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Fondue
This slow cooker cream cheese glazed fondue is incredibly easy and delicious! You’ll also be provided with an easy 20-minute miniature cinnamon rolls on a stick recipe that pairs perfectly with the fondue. This decadent fondue is so sweet it will surely quench any sweet tooth craving!
https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-roll-fondue-with-20-minute-miniature-cinnamon-rolls/#_a5y_p=2539275 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: CHELSEA’S MESSY APRON28. Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue
Peanut butter and chocolate go together perfectly, in my opinion! Not only is this recipe insanely delicious but it’s dairy-free too! Instead of dairy cream use coconut cream and combine that with semi-sweet chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and a few other ingredients! Serve this warm fondue with angel food cake, brownies, pretzels or any dipper of your choice!
https://joyfoodsunshine.com/dairy-free-chocolate-peanut-butter-fondue/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JOY FOOD SUNSHINE29. Dippers
Fondue is all about the dipping, so you’re going to need plenty of dippers on hand when hosting a fondue party. The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing things, so you’re only really limited by your creativity, but here are a few of my personal favorites: with cheese fondue I like pieces of bread or torn up pieces of soft pretzels along with some veggies like steamed broccoli and carrots.
Furthermore, for the main course cubes of beef or thinly sliced chicken breast works well as do shrimp, scallops and even calamari rings. As for dessert, is there anything that doesn’t taste good dipped in chocolate?!
https://food52.com/blog/14612-say-cheese-make-fondue-without-a-recipe PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: FOOD 5230. Tools
Having the right tools is key to hosting a fun and successful fondue party without any stress and pulling off a three-course fondue meal requires excellent organization. Let’s talk about the right tools for the job; for cheese fondue, a ceramic fondue pot is best, or if you don’t have one, pour your melted cheese mixture into a ceramic bowl or some sort of dish that will hold heat. The cheese may begin to firm up but if you eat it fast enough that won’t even be a problem!
For meat/seafood fondue, you’ll want a steel or cast iron pot which will allow you keep a constant flame on your oil or broth so that it stays hot enough to cook your food safely. For chocolate fondue, you’ll often see little warmers with a tea light under them and this is pretty much good enough to keep your chocolate in its creamy liquid form. A thick ceramic pot works well too, but avoid steel because it can easily burn your chocolate and turn it into a bitter, solidified mess. We’ll also include some great links to help get you started and prepared to host your own fondue party!
31. Glazed Ceramic Fondue Set
As discussed previously, ceramic fondue sets are perfect for melting and keeping chocolate and cheese’s warm! This adorable heart-shaped set comes with a fondue pot, heating base, 6 small dishes, 6 fondue forks, and a tealight. This set is the perfect size to serve 2 or 3 people!
? Buy it: https://amzn.to/2SODFFE
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON32. Cast Iron Fondue Pot Set
A cast iron fondue pot is great for almost every kind of fondue. It is known to maintain an even heat distribution and retention. You can heat your fondue using the base or you can put the cast iron pot on the stove and transfer to the heating base once your fondue is prepared! This set comes with the fondue pot, heating base, 7 stainless steel fondue forks, a wooden tray, and an adjustable flame burner.
? Buy it: https://amzn.to/2UR90JA
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON33. Stainless Steel Electric Fondue Maker
This stainless steel fondue pot would be perfect for heating up your broth or oil-based fondue! This is also an electric fondue maker that makes adjusting heat super easy! This fondue maker includes a base, bowl, temperature probe, and 8 fondue forks and fork rack.
? Buy it: https://amzn.to/2QQWOcB
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON34. Stainless Steel Fondue Forks
If you’re throwing a large fondue party and need additional accessories then this set of 12 fondue forks would be a great option for you! They’re made of stainless steel and have a heat-insulating handle. This would also be a great idea to have on hand if you’re choosing to make your fondue on the stovetop and serving in a ceramic pot instead of a fondue pot!
? Buy it: https://amzn.to/2Ew17UH
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON35. Etiquette
You may be new to the wondrous ways of fondue and your guests may be too, so it’s a good idea to learn the basics of fondue etiquette ahead of time and even post them somewhere during your party so that everyone knows what to expect. Here are a few basic rules: start with the bread; this rule is pretty old school, traditionally you start with pieces of bread in your cheese fondue and afterward you can move on to dipping in vegetables, meats, and other tasty tidbits. Rule #2: don’t eat directly off your fondue fork; this is kind of like the double dipping rule. Instead, place your dipped piece of food on your plate and pick it up with your regular fork to eat it. Rule #3: don’t create cheese strings; after dipping, turn your piece of food around as many times as it takes for the drips to stop, this ensures there are no cheese strings stretched across the table. Rule #4: no hand dipping; this is simple enough, just use your fondue fork. Rule #5: if you drop a piece of food into the fondue (any kind) you must make a ‘pledge’ to your table. The pledge can be as simple as kissing someone at the table or having to run a lap outside but the table gets to decide what it is you have to do!
https://thepartyconnectionaustralia.com/2015/08/06/tips-to-a-perfect-winter-fondue-party/ PHOTOS AND IDEAS HERE: THE PARTY CONNECTION AUSTRALIAForkly.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Forkly.com
Want seasonal and holiday content delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now and receive free exclusive recipes, unique party hosting ideas and more!