Fondue Fun: Host A Cheesy Dinner Party

Fondue dinner parties are a fun and interactive way to eat with friends. The term 'fondue' refers to a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium such as oil or broth. Fondue parties typically centre around a pot of melted cheese or chocolate, served with a variety of food items for dipping, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread.

If you're interested in hosting a fondue dinner party, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, decide on the type of fondue you want to serve – cheese, chocolate, oil, or broth. You can also get creative and experiment with different flavours and ingredients to create unique fondue recipes. It's important to use high-quality ingredients and pay attention to the meltability of the cheese if you're making a cheese fondue.

In addition to the fondue itself, you'll need to provide your guests with fondue forks, regular forks, and small plates. It's also a good idea to have a variety of dippers for your guests to choose from. Some popular options include bread, apples, cured meats, vegetables, and seafood.

By following these tips and getting creative with your fondue recipes and dippers, you'll be well on your way to hosting a fun and memorable fondue dinner party!

Fondue equipment

Fondue Pot: The centerpiece of your fondue party is the fondue pot. You can choose between electric fondue pots, pots warmed with candles or Sterno, or even go old-school with a pot warmed over a burner. Electric pots offer better temperature control, while vintage pots from the 60s and 70s often have a handy tray for setting cooked meat to let excess oil drip off. You can find modern fondue pots on Amazon or Target, or go retro with a colorful vintage pot from eBay. Just be cautious with vintage electricals, as they may not be as reliable as newer models.

Extension Cords: If you're using electric fondue pots, you'll need a couple of extension cords to safely run the pots to your outlets.

Fondue Plates: eBay is a great place to find a cool selection of vintage fondue plates to enhance the retro vibe of your party.

Fondue Forks: The colored fondue forks that usually come with a fondue pot set add a fun element to the dinner. Each guest gets two forks of the same color, allowing them to cook one item in the broth or oil and use the other fork for dipping in cheese.

Regular Forks and Appetizer Plates: In addition to fondue forks, provide each guest with a regular appetizer fork and a small appetizer plate. If you're serving a side salad, consider using dinner plates.

Other Equipment: Secure the cords of electric pots to prevent tripping accidents. You may also want to provide a heat source for cheese fondue if you don't want to return it to the stovetop to maintain a smooth consistency.

With the right equipment and a delicious fondue recipe, you'll be well on your way to hosting a fantastic fondue dinner party!

Fondue recipes

Fondue is a fun and interactive way to eat with friends and a great way to reconnect with loved ones. It is a dish in which small pieces of food are dipped into a hot sauce or cooking medium, such as oil or broth. The most common types of fondue are cheese and chocolate, but you can also have a fondue main course with hot oil or broth. Here are some fondue recipes to get you started:

Cheese Fondue Recipes

• Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue: A combination of Gruyère, white wine, cracked black pepper, and nutmeg.
• Zesty Cheddar Fondue: Sharp cheddar with onions, garlic, and cilantro.
• Macaroni & Cheese Fondue: A mix of Fontina, Cheddar, and Swiss cheese with pasta.
• Spinach Artichoke Cheese Fondue: Gruyère, mozzarella, parmesan, flour, white cooking wine, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
• Classic Beer Cheese Fondue: Perfect with pretzels, chips, bread, or vegetables.
• Pimento Cheese Fondue: A southern favourite with a sharp and tangy flavour.
• Swiss and Cheddar Cheese Fondue: Butter, cornstarch, milk, shredded cheddar, and Swiss cheese.
• Mushroom Brie Fondue: Brie, Swiss, and blue cheese with sautéed mushrooms.
• Aged Cheddar and Guinness Fondue: Aged cheddar with a dash of Guinness, garlic, apple juice, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Blue Cheese Fondue: Crumbed blue cheese, cornstarch, dry white wine, low-fat milk, and fat-free cream cheese.
• French Onion Cheese Fondue: Fontina, Butterkase, and shredded Grand Cru Original with caramelized onions.

Hot Oil/Broth Fondue Recipes

• Hot oil fondue: A classic recipe for deep-frying meat, seafood, and breaded foods.
• Coq Au Vin Fondue: Chicken with wine, red wine, chicken broth, onions, and mushrooms.
• Roasted Garlic Fondue Broth: Sweet roasted garlic flavour pairs well with chicken, pork, shrimp, and scallops.

Dessert Fondue Recipes

• Chocolate Fondue: Melted chocolate with cream or evaporated milk for a smooth and creamy texture.
• Vegan Chocolate Fondue: Coconut cream, cocoa powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, sugar, and vanilla.
• White Chocolate Champagne Fondue: White chocolate chips, white baking chocolate, heavy whipping cream, and champagne.
• Toblerone Fondue with Amaretto: Toblerone bars, heavy cream, espresso powder, and Amaretto liqueur.
• Easy S'mores Fondue: Chocolate, jumbo marshmallows, and graham crackers.
• Peanut Butter Butterscotch Fondue: Butterscotch chips, half-and-half cream, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt.
• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Roll Fondue: Cream cheese glazed fondue with miniature cinnamon rolls.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Fondue: Coconut cream, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and creamy peanut butter.

Fondue dippers

When it comes to fondue dippers, the sky's the limit! Here are some ideas to get you started:

For Cheese Fondue

• Bread cubes – try French, rye, or sourdough
• Raw or cooked vegetables – think broccoli, carrots, asparagus, mushrooms, and more
• Fruits – apples are a classic, but you could also try pears or pineapple
• Meat – cooked ham, turkey, beef, or chicken
• Potatoes – roasted or boiled baby potatoes

For Hot Oil or Broth Fondue

• Meat – cubed steak, chicken, meatballs, shrimp, sausage, or prime rib
• Frozen foods – onion rings, cheese curds, breaded ravioli, sweet potato fries, tater tots, or breaded shrimp
• Vegetables – potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, asparagus, carrot slices, green beans, summer squash, or mushrooms
• Seafood – shrimp, scallops, or calamari rings
• Potstickers or dumplings
• Pasta – ravioli, tortellini, or potstickers

For Chocolate Fondue

• Fruits – strawberries, apples, bananas, or pineapple
• Pound cake, brownies, or angel food cake
• Pretzels, graham crackers, or cookies
• Marshmallows
• Cinnamon rolls

Fondue etiquette

Fondue is a fun and communal way to eat, but it also comes with some rules of consumption that should be observed to avoid alienating your fellow diners.

Firstly, each person should have their own fondue fork. Double-dipping is a big no-no, and you should never put your fondue fork directly into your mouth. Instead, slide the food onto your plate and use a regular fork to eat it. This is not only good manners but also important for hygiene, as double-dipping can transfer between 50 and 100 bacteria with every bite. If you want to avoid burning your mouth, you can also let the food cool a little on the plate.

If you want to avoid having to kiss your neighbour, don't forget to stir the fondue! If your bread falls into the pot, you'll have to drink a shot of Kirsch, and if you break the golden rule and put your fork into your mouth, you'll have to pucker up.

It's also important to be mindful of your fellow diners when it comes to taking food. You don't want to be taking more than your fair share, so if someone is, you can gently remind them to leave some for everyone else. Similarly, if someone is unwell, it's considerate for them to ask for their own bowl to avoid infecting others.

Finally, while fondue is a fun and casual way to eat, it's still important to use a fork and not your hands to dip your food. This is more hygienic and will also prevent burns, as fondue pots are extremely hot.

Fondue prep

Firstly, decide on the type of fondue you want to serve. Cheese fondue is a classic, but you could also choose from a variety of other options, such as chocolate, oil, or broth. If you want to get creative, you could even try international themes like a Mexican-inspired cheese fondue or a Chinese hot pot.

Once you've chosen your fondue type, it's time to gather your equipment. You will need a fondue pot, fondue plates, extension cords, and fondue forks. If you're serving cheese fondue, a ceramic pot is best. For meat or seafood fondue, a steel or cast-iron pot is ideal. For chocolate fondue, a simple warmer with a tea light should do the trick.

When it comes to food, variety is key. Offer your guests a range of dippers to choose from, such as bread, vegetables, meats, and seafood. If you're serving cheese fondue, go for the classics like bite-size bread and apples, or get creative with grilled beef or chicken, chunks of pineapple or pears, or steamed broccoli or cauliflower. For chocolate fondue, offer fresh fruit, pound cake, and marshmallows.

Don't forget the drinks! If you're serving cheese fondue, pair it with a lightweight beer, a high-acid chilled white wine, or Prosecco. For chocolate fondue, try a pinot noir or dessert wine, a milk stout or porter, or bourbon.

Finally, pay attention to fondue etiquette. Remind your guests not to double-dip, not to eat directly from the fondue fork, and to turn their food around after dipping to avoid creating cheese strings.

Frequently asked questions