Cheese Fondue: Slow Cooker Magic In 10 Easy Steps

Cheese fondue is a popular dish for gatherings and parties, and it can be easily made in a slow cooker. The traditional Swiss dish involves melting cheese and serving it in a pot, with guests dipping in bread, vegetables, or other foods. The key to a good fondue is ensuring it has a smooth, velvety texture and doesn't become greasy or grainy. This can be achieved by adding cornstarch or flour to the cheese, and by ensuring the fondue doesn't get too hot. A variety of cheeses can be used, including Swiss, Gruyère, cheddar, and Emmental.

Characteristics of Making Cheese Fondue in a Slow Cooker

Choosing the right cheeses

The key to a good cheese fondue is, of course, the cheese. The cheeses you choose will make or break your fondue, so it's important to select the right ones.

Firstly, you'll want to consider the flavour profile you're aiming for. Do you want a traditional Swiss fondue with Emmental and Gruyère? Or maybe you'd like to experiment with different cheeses like Gouda, fontina, or cheddar? A good rule of thumb is to choose cheeses that are creamy, buttery, and melt smoothly. This will ensure your fondue has a velvety, mouthwatering texture.

For a classic Swiss fondue, you'll want to use a combination of Emmental and Gruyère cheeses. These traditional cheeses offer a delightful flavour and melt beautifully. If you can't get your hands on these, a good alternative is to use Swiss cheese and cheddar, which will give you a similar taste and texture.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could try using other cheese combinations such as Gouda and fontina, or even a mixture of mozzarella, fontina, and Parmesan for an Italian twist. The options are endless, but it's important to choose cheeses that complement each other and will melt well.

Another important factor to consider is the quality of the cheese. For the best results, opt for high-quality, freshly grated cheeses. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents and other additives that can affect the taste and texture of your fondue.

Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find the perfect combination for your taste buds. Fondue is a fun and versatile dish, so feel free to get creative and make it your own!

Preparing the slow cooker

To make cheese fondue in a slow cooker, you'll need to prepare your ingredients and your slow cooker before you begin cooking.

First, you'll need to gather your ingredients. The exact ingredients you'll need will depend on your recipe, but most cheese fondue recipes call for a combination of cheeses, such as Swiss cheese, Gruyère cheese, and cheddar cheese. You'll also need some form of alcohol, such as white wine, brandy, or apple cider, as well as some spices and seasonings. Some common spices and seasonings used in cheese fondue include garlic, cornstarch or flour, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. You'll also want to have some items to dip into your fondue, such as bread cubes, pretzels, crackers, or vegetables.

Once you have all of your ingredients, you can begin preparing your slow cooker. Start by greasing the inside of the crock pot lightly with cooking spray or oil. This will help to prevent the cheese fondue from sticking to the sides of the pot and make it easier to clean up afterwards.

Next, you'll want to add your liquid ingredients to the slow cooker. This could include wine, lemon juice, or another type of alcohol, such as brandy or apple cider. You'll also want to add any spices or seasonings, such as garlic, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. If you're using garlic, you can rub the inside of the crock pot with a peeled, cut clove of garlic before adding the rest of your ingredients.

After you've added your liquid ingredients and seasonings, it's time to add the cheese. Most recipes call for shredded or grated cheese, as this will melt more easily and create a smoother fondue. You can add the cheese directly to the slow cooker, or you can toss it with cornstarch or flour in a separate bowl before adding it to the pot.

Once you've added all of your ingredients, give them a stir to combine, then you're ready to begin cooking your fondue!

Adding ingredients

The ingredients you'll need for your cheese fondue are:

• Wine (dry white wine, such as Chardonnay, Chablis, or dry Riesling)
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Cheese (traditional options include Swiss cheese, Gruyère, and Emmental; other options include cheddar, Gouda, fontina, and mozzarella)
• Cornstarch or flour
• Seasonings (such as nutmeg, salt, and pepper)
• Optional: kirsch (a type of brandy made from cherries) or other brandy, cider, or beer

You can also prepare some items to dip into your fondue, such as:

• Bread (traditional options include crusty, hearty breads like rye, pumpernickel, or multigrain; other options include ciabatta, white bread, or French bread)
• Vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes, artichoke hearts, cauliflower, broccoli, or sliced bell peppers)
• Meat (such as cured meat, sausage, or chicken)
• Fruit (such as apples or pears)

Now that you have gathered all your ingredients, it's time to start adding them to your slow cooker. First, rub the inside of the slow cooker with a clove of garlic. This will infuse your fondue with a subtle garlicky flavour. You can also add the garlic to the wine and heat them together, which will cook off the raw edge of the garlic and create a more mellow flavour.

Next, add your wine and lemon juice to the slow cooker. If using, you can also add the kirsch, cider, or beer at this stage. Turn the slow cooker to a high setting and heat the liquid until it is just beginning to bubble.

In a separate bowl, combine your cheeses with the cornstarch or flour. Toss until the cheese is thoroughly coated. This step will help the fondue melt smoothly and prevent it from becoming greasy or grainy.

Once the liquid in the slow cooker is bubbling, gradually add the cheese mixture, stirring continuously. Keep cooking and stirring until the cheese is melted and well blended.

At this point, you can also add in any seasonings, such as nutmeg, salt, and pepper, to taste. Keep cooking and stirring until all the cheese is melted and the fondue is smooth and well combined.

Finally, turn your slow cooker to a low setting to keep the fondue warm until you are ready to serve it. Don't forget to prepare your dipping items and lay them out on a platter!

Cooking the fondue

The first step in making your cheese fondue is to prepare the ingredients. Peel and smash a garlic clove, and cut it in half. Measure out your wine, lemon juice, cornstarch, and any other seasonings you wish to add, such as nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Grate or shred your chosen cheeses—a combination of Swiss, Gruyère, and cheddar is popular. You will need around 8-9 ounces (about 255 grams) of each type of cheese.

Next, you will need to toss the grated cheese with the cornstarch in a medium bowl. This step will help the cheese melt smoothly. You can also add a little flour to the cheese mixture if you wish. Now, rub a non-reactive saucepan with the cut garlic halves. Add the wine to the saucepan and place it over medium heat. Heat the wine until it just starts to bubble, then reduce the heat to low and add the lemon juice.

Gradually stir the cheese and cornstarch mixture into the wine, continuing to cook and stir to prevent sticking. Keep cooking until the cheese is melted and well blended. You can also add the seasonings at this point if you haven't already.

Lightly grease your crock pot or slow cooker, or spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the cheese mixture into the prepared pot and add any additional ingredients, such as kirsch or brandy. Stir well and sprinkle with any desired seasonings.

Cover and cook your fondue on a high setting for 15-25 minutes, then turn to low for 45 minutes to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to overcook the fondue, as it can seize. Keep the pot on low while serving to maintain the right temperature.

Serve your fondue with a variety of dippers, such as bread cubes, crackers, vegetables, or fruit. Enjoy!

What to serve with cheese fondue

Now that you've made your cheese fondue in a slow cooker, it's time to think about what to serve with it. The great news is that almost anything goes with cheese fondue, so you can get creative with your sides and dippers. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread

Bread is a classic choice for cheese fondue, and for good reason. It soaks up the warm, creamy cheese, creating a delicious combination. Go for a French baguette, sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons, pretzels, or even a cranberry walnut loaf for something a little different. Just be sure to toast your bread lightly first so it doesn't fall apart in the fondue.

Crispy Potatoes

Who doesn't love cheese fries? Get the same gooey, savoury, rich combination by serving crispy potatoes on the side. You can go for homemade french fries, roasted or baked potatoes, or even potato chips. If you're feeling adventurous, try making nachos with tortilla chips.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits, especially apples, pair surprisingly well with cheese fondue. Cut up some apples or pears and let your guests dip them into the warm, melted cheese for a delicious snack or appetizer. For a healthier option, serve your fondue with raw or steamed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, or cauliflower.

Meat

If you're looking for a heartier option, add some meat to your cheese fondue. Meatballs, sausage, cured meats like salami or pepperoni, or even steak strips or bites can be dipped into the cheese or topped with it for a delicious, cheesy treat.

So, there you have it! These are just a few ideas to get you started on what to serve with your cheese fondue. Get creative, and most importantly, enjoy!

Frequently asked questions