Cheese Fondue Nachos: Melty, Cheesy, Deliciousness

Cheese fondue for nachos is a fun, easy-to-make snack that's perfect for parties, game day, or weekend snacking. While there are many ways to make cheese fondue, the basic ingredients are typically butter, flour, milk, and cheese. The type of cheese you use is important, as some cheddars don't melt as well as others, and pre-shredded cheese often contains additives that can make your fondue grainy. To add some spice to your fondue, you can include jalapeños, either fresh or pickled, and a splash of beer can give it a unique twist.

Choosing the right cheese

Go for a Melty Cheese: Opt for cheeses that are known for their melting capabilities. Cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Colby Jack are excellent choices as they melt smoothly and create a creamy texture. Avoid using high-end artisanal cheddars or cheeses that don't melt well, such as Kraft, Organic Valley, or Target's brand.

Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents or cellulose, which can make your fondue grainy and affect its smooth consistency. It's best to buy blocks of sharp cheddar or other melty cheeses and grate them yourself. This ensures a smooth and creamy fondue.

Balance the Flavors: When creating your cheese fondue, consider balancing the flavors by using a combination of cheeses. For example, you can use a mix of Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar, and Colby for a classic Mexican blend. Pepper Jack is another great option to add a little kick.

Consider Cheese Quality: The quality of the cheese can impact the taste and texture of your fondue. While you don't need to choose the most expensive option, opt for well-known brands or local cheesemakers with a reputation for quality. For example, Cracker Barrel, Tillamook, and Cabot are recommended brands for cheddar.

Amount of Cheese: Depending on the number of people you're serving and the desired cheesiness, adjust the amount of cheese accordingly. As a guide, a good ratio for a basic fondue is to use 2 cups of grated cheese per 3/4 cup of milk.

By following these tips and choosing the right cheese, you'll be well on your way to creating a delicious and decadent cheese fondue for your nachos that your friends and family will surely enjoy!

Preparing the cheese

The key to achieving a smooth and creamy cheese fondue for nachos is to use a block of sharp cheddar cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents or powdered cellulose, which can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly and result in a grainy texture. It is important to use a good quality block of sharp cheddar cheese, such as Cracker Barrel, Tillamook, or Cabot. Avoid Kraft, Organic Valley, Target's brand, and TJ's brand cheddars, as they may not melt as well.

If you want to enhance the flavour of your cheese fondue, you can substitute part of the cheddar with Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese. These cheeses melt well and will add depth of flavour to your fondue.

When preparing the cheese, it is essential to bring it to room temperature before making the sauce. This will ensure that the cheese melts smoothly and evenly. Grate the cheese on the large holes of a box grater; you will need about 6 ounces (170 grams) of grated cheese for your fondue.

Once you have grated the cheese, it is time to start making the cheese sauce. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. If you prefer a stronger flavour, you can use salted butter instead. Once the butter is melted, add 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook, constantly whisking, for about 1 minute. This mixture is called a roux and will act as a thickening agent for your sauce.

The next step is to slowly add the milk to the roux, whisking continuously. You will need about 1/2 cup of whole milk for this recipe. Once the milk is incorporated, increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, quickly reduce the heat to a simmer and add another 1/4 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of India Pale Ale (IPA) or Hazy IPA. Continue cooking and whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly, which should take around 8 minutes.

At this point, it is crucial to reduce the heat to low. Gradually add the grated cheese to the saucepan, one big pinch at a time, while constantly whisking. This step should take about 5 minutes. Keep stirring over low heat until all the cheese has melted, and you have a smooth and creamy sauce. Be careful not to let the sauce come to a boil, as this can cause the cheese to seize and become grainy.

If your cheese sauce becomes too thick, you can add a small amount of milk or water to thin it out. A splash of milk will help adjust the consistency and ensure a smooth and creamy texture.

Making the sauce

To make the sauce for cheese fondue nachos, you'll need a mix of cheeses, a thickening agent, and some liquid. The type of cheese you use is important—a good, melty cheese like cheddar is a popular choice, and you'll want to grate it yourself rather than buying pre-grated cheese, which often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of your sauce. You can also add some American cheese for a more authentic "stadium nacho" experience.

Start by making a roux: melt some butter in a skillet over medium heat, then whisk in an equal amount of flour. This will thicken your sauce. Next, whisk in some milk—whole milk is best for a rich, creamy sauce. Continue whisking until the mixture is thick and bubbly.

Now it's time to add the cheese. Turn the heat down low and gradually add your grated cheese, stirring constantly, until all the cheese has melted and you have a smooth, creamy sauce. If your sauce is too thick, you can add a little milk or water to thin it out. Be careful not to overheat the cheese, as this can affect the texture and make your sauce grainy.

Finally, add your seasonings. A little pickled jalapeño juice adds a nice kick, or you could add some diced jalapeños for some spice and a bit of tang. You can also add some taco seasoning or Tajín for extra flavour. Taste your sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Adding flavour

There are many ways to add flavour to your cheese fondue for nachos. You can add spices like ground cayenne pepper, black pepper, or even a little hot sauce. You can also add chopped pickled jalapeños for some extra heat and tang. If you want to add some extra cheese, you can include American cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, and Colby. You could also add some meat, such as spiced ground beef.

Another way to add flavour is to include some diced green chillies or minced jalapeño and onion, sautéed at the beginning with butter. You could also add a liquid element, such as beer, to thin out the fondue and give it a sharp, citrusy hop flavour. If you want to add a little extra spice, you can include some pickled jalapeño brine or Tajin (Mexican red chile-lime seasoning).

Serving suggestions

This cheese fondue for nachos is best served warm. It can be served in a fondue pot to keep it warm and flowing. Alternatively, it can be served straight from the saucepan, or in a crockpot or saucepan over a warming plate to keep it at the right temperature.

For a more substantial snack, pour the cheese fondue over tortilla chips, fries, tater tots, or soft pretzels. It can also be drizzled over hot dogs or grilled sausages. For a more indulgent treat, try dipping soft pretzel bites or fully loaded nachos into the cheese fondue.

If you want to add some extra flavour to your cheese fondue, why not try stirring in some jalapeño tomato salsa, spiced ground beef, taco seasoning, hot sauce, or sautéed minced jalapeño and onion? You could also add a can of diced green chiles or top with ground beef, tomatoes, jalapeños, scallions, or ground beef.

This cheese fondue can also be served as a side dish with chicken wings, buffalo chicken dip, or garlic parmesan wings.

Frequently asked questions