Slow Cooker Fondue: A Delicious, Easy Option?

Yes, you can use a slow cooker to make fondue. In fact, it's a convenient, modern way to make this traditional Swiss dish. You can make both cheese and chocolate fondue in a slow cooker.

Slow cooker fondue ingredients

Using a slow cooker is a great way to make fondue. Here are some ingredients you can use to make a delicious slow cooker fondue.

Cheese Fondue

For a classic cheese fondue, you will need:

• Garlic
• Wine (dry white wine, such as Chardonnay, Chablis, or dry Riesling)
• Lemon juice
• Cornstarch
• Cheese (traditional Swiss cheese and Gruyère, or a mix of Swiss, Gruyère, and cheddar)
• Nutmeg
• Black pepper
• Bread cubes or crackers for dipping

You can also add some kirsch (a type of brandy made from cherries) to give it a little extra flavour.

Chocolate Fondue

For a chocolate fondue, you will need:

• Quality chocolate (semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, or coarsely chopped baker's chocolate)
• Heavy cream
• Milk
• Butter
• Corn syrup
• Vanilla extract
• Salt

You can also experiment with different ingredients to make variations such as peanut butter chocolate fondue, Mexican chocolate fondue, toffee chocolate fondue, or peppermint chocolate fondue.

Other Types of Fondue

You can also make fondue with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables. Here are some ideas for other types of fondue you can make in your slow cooker:

• Slow cooker chocolate fondue: This is a great option for a sweet and indulgent treat.
• Slow cooker meat fondue: You can use various meats, such as beef, chicken, or pork, and cook them in a broth or sauce of your choice.
• Slow cooker vegetable fondue: Try using different vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots, and cook them in a flavoured broth.

How to make fondue in a slow cooker

Fondue is a fantastic meal to make for yourself and a great way to throw a party. You can use a slow cooker to make a tasty fondue with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

To make fondue in a slow cooker, you will need the following ingredients:

• Garlic
• Cornstarch
• Wine
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cheese (Swiss, Gruyère, or cheddar)
• Kirsch (or another brandy or cognac)
• Nutmeg
• Bread or other dippers

Method

First, rub a saucepan with a cut clove of garlic. Add wine to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Heat the wine until it begins to bubble, then reduce the heat to low and add lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, combine your choice of grated cheese with cornstarch. You can also add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix.

Gradually stir the cheese mixture into the wine. Continue cooking, stirring to prevent sticking, until the cheese is melted and well blended.

Lightly grease your slow cooker or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the cheese mixture into the slow cooker, add kirsch, and stir well. Sprinkle with nutmeg, pepper, and paprika.

Cover and cook on a high setting for 20-25 minutes or until hot. Then turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 1-3 hours. Keep the slow cooker on low while serving.

Dippers

Fondue is often served with cubes of hearty bread such as rye, pumpernickel, or multigrain. Large soft pretzels, crackers, apple slices, and firm pears also make great dippers. If you have them, use fondue forks for the perfect dipping experience.

Dipping foods for slow cooker fondue

Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a great, easy dish to make for a gathering of friends or family. It is essentially your favourite cheeses melted with spices, garlic, and a splash of alcohol.

The traditional choice for dipping into cheese fondue is crusty bread, such as sourdough, baguette, or ciabatta. However, there are many other foods that can be used for dipping.

For a healthier option, you could try dipping steamed broccoli or cauliflower florets, bell peppers, or roasted Brussels sprouts. For a more indulgent dip, try cured meats like prosciutto, salami, or chorizo, or even meatballs.

Other options include large pasta shapes, such as shells or fusilli, roasted potatoes, pickles, or apple and pear slices.

Chocolate Fondue

Chocolate fondue is a great dessert option, especially for a romantic night or Valentine's Day celebration. It is an easy dish to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Fresh fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, and apples, are a great choice for dipping into chocolate fondue. You could also try cake cubes, such as pound cake or angel food cake, or rice crispy treats.

The history of fondue

Fondue is a Swiss dish that typically consists of melted cheese and wine served in a communal pot over a portable stove and eaten by dipping bread, vegetables, or other snacks. The earliest known recipe for the modern form of cheese fondue comes from a 1699 book published in Zurich, under the name "Käss mit Wein zu kochen" or "to cook cheese with wine". It calls for grated or cut-up cheese to be melted with wine, and for bread to be dipped in it.

The name "fondue" is derived from the French verb "fondre", meaning "to melt". In French, it first appeared in 1735 in Vincent La Chapelle's "Cuisinier moderne", and in English in 1878. The German form borrows the French as a loanword. Fondue was promoted as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s as a way to increase cheese consumption. It was also popularised in North America in the 1960s, where fondue sets were common gifts and fondue was often served at parties.

The traditional cheeses used in fondue are Swiss cheeses, mainly Emmental and Gruyère. However, different regions in Switzerland, as well as France and alpine Italy, use a variety of cheeses, including Vacherin, Appenzeller, and Sbrinz in Switzerland; Comté, Beaufort, and Reblochon in France; and Fontina in Italy.

Fondue-like dishes exist in cultures around the world, such as Chinese hot pots and Japanese shabu-shabu, where diners cook chunks of meat, seafood, or vegetables in a communal pot of bubbling oil or steaming broth. Mexico's "queso fundido" is served with tortillas instead of bread, while Italy's "bagna cauda" relies on pureed anchovies for texture and flavour and is typically accompanied by vegetables.

Other fondue recipes

Yes, you can use a slow cooker to make fondue. Here is a simple recipe for a slow cooker cheese fondue:

Ingredients:

• 9 oz Swiss cheese, grated
• 9 oz Gruyère cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3/4 cup white wine
• 1 cup bread cubes
• 12 oz cured meat
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, toss the Swiss and Gruyère cheeses with the cornstarch.
• Smash the garlic clove, but leave it whole.
• Add the cheese, wine, garlic, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes.
• Remove the garlic and stir the mixture.
• Cover again and cook for an additional 45 minutes on high, stirring every 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and smooth.
• Turn the slow cooker to warm and serve the fondue with your favourite dippers.

Fondue is a versatile dish that can be customised to suit different tastes and preferences. Here are some other fondue recipes to try:

Chocolate Fondue:

Chocolate fondue is a perfect dessert option for any fondue party. It is easy to make and works with a variety of dippers. You can use a combination of bittersweet and milk chocolate for a well-balanced sweet and dark flavour. For an extra touch of indulgence, add a splash of cherry brandy (kirsch) or any other brandy or bourbon of your choice.

Peanut Butter Fondue:

This fondue combines peanut butter and white chocolate to create a smooth and dippable treat. It is perfect for both sweet and salty dippers, offering a unique blend of flavours that will tantalise your taste buds.

Greek Fondue:

Take inspiration from the Greek salad and create a melty dip with feta, mozzarella, and cream cheese. Serve this fondue with pita chips or toasted pita bread for a true Mediterranean experience.

Smoked Mozzarella Fondue:

If you're craving the taste of Italy, try the smoked mozzarella fondue. It captures the flavours of the iconic Olive Garden app, bringing a taste of your favourite restaurant to your home.

Salted Caramel Fondue:

Indulge in the sweet and salty combination of salted caramel fondue. Melt down some caramel candies and dip away with pretzels, green apples, and graham crackers for a state fair-inspired treat.

Double Chocolate Fondue:

For chocolate enthusiasts, the double chocolate fondue is a dream come true. It's a crowd-pleaser that you can make in your slow cooker, and you can even add your favourite type of melty chocolate to customise it further.

Macaroni & Cheese Fondue:

This fondue is a kid-friendly option that even adults will fight over! It combines Fontina, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese with pasta for an extra hearty and indulgent dip.

Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue:

Transform the classic spinach and artichoke dip into a melty cheese fondue that pairs perfectly with bread and vegetables. It's a great way to add some veggies to your fondue party.

Classic Beer Cheese Fondue:

Beer and cheese come together in this fondue to create a match made in heaven. It's a perfect pairing with pretzels, chips, bread, or vegetable dippers.

Zesty Cheddar Fondue:

For a sharp and tangy fondue experience, try the Zesty Cheddar Fondue. With the addition of onions, garlic, and cilantro, this fondue is a wonderful companion to bread and apple dippers.

Frequently asked questions