Cheesy Bacon Fondue: A Decadent Comfort Food

Cheesy bacon fondue is a delicious, creamy dish perfect for a party or a special dinner. It's made with a combination of cheeses, bacon, and various spices, cooked and melted together to create a rich, indulgent appetizer. The fondue is served warm, with a variety of dipping options such as bread cubes, pretzel bites, fresh vegetables, or even hot dogs. This fun and easy-to-make dish is a great choice for holiday gatherings or game days, offering a unique and interactive dining experience.

Ingredients

Cheesy bacon fondue is a delicious, indulgent treat, perfect for a party or a special dinner. It's a fun, interactive way to enjoy a meal, and the combination of cheese and bacon is always a winner.

The ingredients for a cheesy bacon fondue are relatively simple and flexible, allowing for some customisation to suit your taste. Here is a list of ingredients you will need:

• Bacon: This is the star of the show. For the best flavour and texture, opt for crispy fried bacon, diced or sliced into strips. The amount of bacon you use can vary, but a good rule of thumb is around 4 to 5 strips, or about 4 tablespoons.
• Cheese: A combination of cheeses adds depth of flavour to your fondue. Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, with both sharp and mild varieties used to create a balance. You can also experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack, Swiss, or mozzarella. The total amount of cheese you need will be around 2-3 cups, depending on your preference.
• Flour: This is used to create a roux, which helps to thicken the fondue. You will need about 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
• Butter: A small amount of butter, around 2 tablespoons, is used to cook the garlic and create a base for the fondue.
• Garlic: Minced or chopped garlic adds a savoury punch to the dish. You will need about 2-3 cloves, or to taste.
• Mustard: Dry mustard or Dijon mustard adds a tangy kick to the fondue. Use about 2-4 teaspoons of dry mustard or 1 tablespoon of Dijon.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This sauce provides a savoury, slightly sweet flavour to the fondue. Use around 2 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon.
• Beer: Beer is a key ingredient, adding a unique flavour to the fondue. Choose a beer that pairs well with the cheese, such as a rich, sweet lager. You will need about 8 ounces of beer.
• Cream Cheese: This helps to create a creamy, smooth texture. Use a small amount, around 4 ounces.
• Chives/Scallions: These add a fresh, mild onion flavour to the fondue. Use about 3 tablespoons of chopped chives or scallions.
• Pepper: Add a small amount of pepper to taste for a subtle kick.
• Sour Cream: Sour cream is used to add creaminess and a tangy flavour to the fondue.
• Jalapeno: A seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper is optional but can add a nice spicy kick to the dish.

Recipe

Cheesy Bacon Fondue Recipe

Ingredients:

• Bacon: 4 to 5 strips, diced
• Onion: 1/4 cup, chopped
• All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons
• Cheese: 1 pound, cubed (Velveeta or a combination of sharp cheddar and mild cheddar)
• Sour cream
• Jalapeno pepper: 1, seeded and chopped (optional)
• French bread: 1 loaf, cubed
• Soft pretzel bites and halved miniature sweet peppers (optional)

Optional Ingredients:

• Crispy fried bacon: 4 tablespoons
• Scallions: 3 tablespoons, sliced
• Beer
• Horseradish
• Dry mustard
• Garlic
• Baby-cut carrots
• Green apple
• Fresh broccoli
• Fresh cauliflower florets

Instructions:

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on paper towels.
• In the remaining bacon drippings, saute the onion until tender.
• Stir in the flour and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese cubes. Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.
• Stir in the sour cream, jalapeno (if desired), and bacon. Cook and stir just until heated through.
• Transfer the fondue to a fondue pot and keep warm.
• Serve with bread cubes and, if desired, pretzel bites and peppers.

Tips:

• Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers to avoid skin irritation.
• If you don't have a fondue pot, you can prepare a double boiler by placing 2 to 3 inches of water in a pot and then placing a heat-proof bowl over it.

Dipping foods

Cheesy bacon fondue is a delicious dish, perfect for a party or a special dinner. It's a fun, interactive meal that everyone will enjoy. And what could be better than dipping your favourite foods into a pot of cheesy goodness?

So, what are the best foods for dipping into this savoury treat? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Bread

A classic choice for a reason, bread is the perfect vessel for scooping up as much fondue as possible. Cubed French bread is a traditional choice, but you could also try pretzel bites, or a loaf of soft bread for tearing and dipping.

Vegetables

If you're looking for a healthier option, or just want to add some variety, fresh vegetables are a great choice. Crunchy carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower florets are all perfect for dipping. Their crispness provides a satisfying contrast to the creamy fondue, and they won't fall apart easily.

Meat

For a heartier option, try dipping cooked meats into the fondue. Chicken or beef would work well, especially if they're cut into bite-sized pieces. Of course, with the bacon already in the fondue, you may want to stick to vegetarian options!

Fruits

Although less common, fruits can also be a delicious choice for dipping. Green apples, in particular, would provide a nice contrast in taste and texture to the fondue.

Other

For a truly indulgent experience, try dipping potato chips, crisps, or crackers into the fondue. You could also experiment with different types of bread, such as baguette, sourdough, or rye.

So, there you have it! Cheesy bacon fondue is a versatile and fun dish, perfect for any occasion. Get creative with your dipping choices, and enjoy!

Cooking methods

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Fondue

This fondue is best served with bread, baby-cut carrots, green apple, or other items of your choice.

• Prepare a double boiler by placing 2 to 3 inches of water in a pot and placing a heat-proof bowl over the pot. The bowl should form a tight seal.
• Turn the heat up high to bring the water to a boil, then reduce the temperature to medium.
• Place the beer, garlic, dry mustard, horseradish, and Worcestershire sauce into the bowl and stir to combine.
• Combine the cheese and cornstarch.
• When the beer is almost boiling, add half of the cheese, stirring constantly until it has melted.
• Continue to add the cheese in small handfuls until it is all melted.
• Add 3 tablespoons of crispy cooked bacon.
• If you are using a double boiler, remove the bowl from the heat.
• Place the cheese in a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining bacon and sliced scallions.

Bacon Beer Cheese Fondue

This fondue is best served with pretzel bites, fresh veggies, or as a hot dog topping.

• Warm a skillet over low heat and add butter and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
• Add the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk well, then add the flour.
• Mix for 2 minutes, or until the flour is no longer white.
• Turn the heat up to medium and slowly add the milk and beer, whisking continuously until the flour clumps have broken down.
• Add the cream cheese and stir until smooth.
• Once the cream cheese is smooth, slowly add the cheese, one handful at a time, stirring to combine.
• Add the chives, pepper, and half of the bacon. Stir.
• Remove from the heat and top with the remaining bacon and chives.

Bacon Cheese Fondue

This fondue can be served with bread cubes, pretzel bites, and peppers.

• In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon to a paper towel.
• In the bacon drippings, saute the onion until tender.
• Stir in the flour until blended; cook and stir until thickened.
• Reduce the heat to low.
• Add the cheese cubes; cook and stir until melted.
• Stir in the sour cream, jalapeno (if desired), and bacon.
• Cook and stir just until heated through.
• Transfer to a fondue pot and keep warm.

Note: When cutting hot peppers, wear disposable gloves to protect your skin from the oils, which can cause burns.

Calories

The calorie content of cheesy bacon fondue varies depending on the specific recipe and serving size. However, it is generally a high-calorie dish due to the combination of cheese, bacon, and other ingredients.

A recipe for Bacon Cheddar Cheese Fondue from CopyKat.com lists the calorie content as 211 kcal per serving. This recipe includes ingredients such as sharp cheddar cheese, mild cheddar cheese, crispy fried bacon, scallions, and various dippers like bread, carrots, and broccoli. The high-calorie content of this fondue primarily comes from the cheese and bacon, which are both calorie-dense foods.

Another recipe for Bacon Cheese Fondue from TasteofHome.com provides a calorie breakdown for a 4-tablespoon serving. This serving size contains 305 calories, with 18 grams of fat (including 11 grams of saturated fat) contributing significantly to the calorie count. The bacon, cheese, and sour cream in this recipe all contribute to its high-calorie content.

Additionally, a general estimate for the calorie content of cheese fondue is provided by FatSecret.com. According to their data, 1 cup of cheese fondue contains approximately 492 calories. While this estimate may not be specific to cheesy bacon fondue, it gives a sense of the calorie density of cheese-based fondues in general.

It is worth noting that the calorie content of cheesy bacon fondue can vary depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used in different recipes. Some recipes may include additional ingredients like flour, beer, or wine, which can slightly alter the calorie content. Additionally, the type of cheese used can also impact the calorie count, as different cheeses have varying calorie densities.

When considering the calorie content of cheesy bacon fondue, it is important to keep in mind that it is typically served as an appetizer or part of a larger meal. Therefore, portion sizes may vary, and individuals should be mindful of their overall calorie intake when including this dish in their diet.

Frequently asked questions