Fondue Nights: How Much Per Person?

Fondue is a fun and indulgent dish that's perfect for a dinner party or get-together. But how much fondue do you need per person? The answer depends on a few factors, including whether you're serving fondue as a main meal or an appetizer, and how big your guests' appetites are. As a general rule, you should plan for around 7 oz of cheese fondue per person if it's the main meal, and around 3.5 oz if it's an appetizer. However, if your guests are big eaters, you may want to increase those amounts to 8.8 oz and 4.4 oz, respectively. So, when planning your fondue party, be sure to consider the appetites of your guests and plan accordingly!

As a meal, each person should have 7 oz of cheese fondue

When serving fondue as a meal, it's recommended that each person be given 7 oz of cheese fondue. This amount can vary depending on how big of an eater the person is, but 7 oz is a good starting point to ensure that everyone has enough to eat. If you're serving fondue as an appetizer or snack, less cheese is needed, with around 3.5 oz per person being suggested.

When planning a fondue party or dinner, it's important to consider the type of fondue pot you'll be using and the number of guests you'll be serving. Fondue pots come in different sizes, and the capacity is usually described in fluid ounces or the number of ounces/pounds of cheese fondue it can hold. Knowing the capacity of your fondue pot will help you determine how much cheese fondue you need to prepare.

In addition to the fondue pot, you'll need other equipment such as fondue plates, extension cords, and fondue forks or skewers. It's also important to consider the type of cheese you'll be using, as the quality and melting properties of the cheese can affect the final product. Good-quality, creamy and buttery cheeses that melt smoothly, such as fontina, Gruyère, and gouda, are ideal for fondue.

When preparing the cheese fondue, it's recommended to grate the cheese instead of chopping it to ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue. Cornstarch or flour can be added to thicken the fondue and prevent clumping, although cornstarch is preferred as it leaves less of an aftertaste and makes the dish gluten-free. Classic cheese fondue also typically includes white wine, as the acid in the wine helps keep the cheese mixture smooth and gives it an even texture. It's important to choose a dry and high-acid wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, or an unoaked Chardonnay.

To ensure a rich, smooth, and tasty fondue, it's crucial to add the cheese slowly and stir constantly. This prevents the fondue from becoming lumpy. You can also add a small amount of brandy, kirsch, or cherry brandy to enhance the flavor.

Fondue is typically served with bread cubes, but you can also offer a variety of dippers such as apples, crudites, bacon, roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, pickles, and more.

As an appetiser, each person should have 3.5 oz of cheese fondue

When serving cheese fondue as an appetiser, it is recommended that each person is served 3.5 oz of cheese fondue. This amount can vary depending on how many other appetisers you plan to serve. If your guests are big eaters, you may want to consider increasing the amount of fondue per person to 4.4 oz. If your table is full of other snacks and drinks, then 2.65–3.5 oz per person will be sufficient.

When serving fondue as an appetiser, it is a good idea to provide a variety of dippers for your guests to enjoy. Bread is the most classic and common dipper, but you can also offer apples, crudites, bacon, roasted baby potatoes, steamed broccoli, and pickles. It is also important to ensure that you have enough fondue forks or skewers for each guest. Most fondue sets only come with four, so you may need to order some extra ones.

In addition to the amount of cheese fondue and dippers, you will also need to consider the size of your fondue pot. If you are serving fondue as an appetiser for a large group, you may need to use multiple pots or refill the pot as needed. It is also important to note that the capacity of a fondue pot is typically described in fluid ounces when filled completely or in ounces/pounds of cheese fondue it can hold. Therefore, when calculating the amount of cheese fondue needed per person, you should consider the capacity of your fondue pot.

When preparing the cheese fondue, it is recommended that you grate the cheese instead of chopping it to ensure quicker melting and a smoother fondue. Additionally, tossing the cheese with cornstarch will help thicken the fondue and prevent the cheese from clumping. Classic cheese fondue typically calls for white wine, as the acid in the wine will help keep the cheese mixture smooth and give it an even texture. However, you can also substitute the wine with chicken or vegetable stock if preferred.

For big eaters, increase the amount by 1-1.5 oz

When serving fondue as a main meal, it is recommended to prepare around 7 oz of cheese fondue per guest. However, for big eaters, it is advisable to increase the amount to between 8.82 oz and 9 oz per person. This adjustment ensures that everyone can fully indulge in the delicious experience of fondue without the worry of running out.

The amount of fondue per person can also depend on whether it is served as a meal or a snack. As a snack or appetizer, around 3.5 oz of cheese fondue per person is suggested, with an increase to 4.4 oz for big eaters. It is worth noting that if your table is filled with other snacks and drinks, an amount of 2.65 oz to 3.5 oz per person should suffice.

When preparing fondue, it is essential to use good-quality cheese and grate it for quicker melting and a smoother fondue. Classic Swiss cheese fondue typically includes a blend of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses such as Gruyère, Emmental, and Appenzeller. The addition of cornstarch is also crucial, as it helps thicken the fondue and prevents the cheese from clumping.

Fondue is a fun and communal dish, perfect for bringing people together. It is a great way to add a unique and interactive element to your dinner parties or special occasions. By adjusting the amount of fondue per person, you can ensure that everyone, including big eaters, has a delightful and satisfying experience.

Remember, these quantities are only guidelines, and it is always better to prepare a bit more to cater to larger appetites and ensure a memorable fondue feast!

Bread is the traditional food to dip into fondue

Fondue is a dish that originated in Switzerland as a way for families to stretch their resources. It typically involves dipping small pieces of food into a hot sauce or cooking medium, such as oil or broth. While there are many different types of fondue, from chocolate to hot oil, cheese fondue is the traditional variety and usually calls for bread as the main dipping food.

Bread is the perfect food to dip into fondue because it soaks up the cheesy goodness. When it comes to choosing the right bread for fondue, a crusty loaf is typically the best option. This is because the crust helps to prevent the bread from becoming too soggy when it's dipped into the molten cheese. A French stick or baguette is a classic choice, but you can also opt for a sourdough loaf or even bake your own bread. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a brown loaf, such as a dunkles St. Gallerbrot or a dunkler Pfünder, which are popular in Switzerland.

The key to a successful fondue is to have a variety of dipping options, and bread is the perfect base to start with. You can offer different types of bread, such as French, rye, or sourdough, and even provide some tempura batter for guests to create their own breaded shrimp or vegetables to dip. It's important to note that bread is not the only food that can be dipped in fondue. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers can add a fresh element to the dish, while meats such as meatballs or chicken can be cooked in the fondue and then dipped back into the cheese for an extra cheesy bite.

When planning a fondue party, it's essential to consider the amount of fondue you'll need per person. As a general guideline, each guest should have about 3.5 ounces of cheese fondue as an appetizer or 7 ounces as a main meal. However, it's always a good idea to prepare a bit more, especially if you're expecting big eaters or want to offer a variety of dipping options.

Other foods to dip into fondue include fruit, boiled potatoes, broccoli, bacon, and pickles

When hosting a fondue party, it can be challenging to determine how much fondue to prepare. As a guideline, if serving cheese fondue as an appetiser, each guest should have about 3.5 oz of cheese. When served as a main meal, plan to use about 7 oz per guest.

Now that we've got the quantities sorted, let's talk about what to dip in all that delicious fondue! While crusty bread is usually the number one pick for cheese fondue, there are plenty of other foods that pair well with it. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fruits

The crisp and tart flavour of Granny Smith apples complements the creaminess of cheese fondue nicely. Bosc pears, with their nutmeg and cinnamon undertones, also make excellent choices as they bring out the spices found in many fondues.

Boiled Potatoes

If you're looking for something more substantial, roasted potatoes are a great option. The outside gets crispy while the inside stays soft and tender, making them perfect for dipping in cheese fondue.

Broccoli

Broccoli brings a bit of freshness to the rich and indulgent cheese fondue. You can dip it raw or lightly steam it to smooth out the raw, bitter flavours.

Bacon

For a hearty and savoury option, try bacon-wrapped smoked sausage. The salty, cheesy, and savoury combination is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Pickles

Dill pickles may seem like an unusual choice, but the salty, briny, tangy flavour combines surprisingly well with rich, melty cheese fondue. Just be sure to rinse and pat them dry before serving to avoid changing the taste of your fondue.

Of course, these are just a few suggestions. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different dippers to find your favourites!

Frequently asked questions