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The Recipe · No.780 · Cheese Fondue

Cheese Fondue, and where to source it

Cheese Fondue — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Cheese Fondue Swiss 5best2buy.com

Rub the pot with garlic and get the wine simmering before the cheese goes in a handful at a time. The acid in a dry white breaks the cheese proteins down so the fondue stays smooth instead of splitting into a greasy clump; a little cornstarch tossed with the cheese keeps it stable.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineSwiss
Cost$$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Gruyère
The sharp, nutty Alpine backbone, grated fine. A cave-aged Gruyère is best.
14 oz
Vacherin Fribourgeois
Grated fine; it melts creamy and rounds out the Gruyère.
14 oz
Dry white wine
An acidic white keeps the emulsion smooth; never a sweet wine. Buy this fresh and local.
1.25 cups
Local / market
Garlic
A cut clove to season the pot. Fresh, firm heads.
1 clove
Crusty bread
Cut into cubes with a bit of crust on each. A good day-old sourdough holds up.
1 loaf
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
One-pot
The Method
  1. Prep the potRub the inside of the pot with the cut garlic clove.
  2. Toss the cheeseMix the grated cheeses with a spoon of cornstarch.
  3. Heat the wineBring the wine to a bare simmer in the pot.
  4. Melt graduallyAdd cheese by the handful, stirring in a figure-eight until smooth, then move to a tabletop burner.
The Toolkit

Fondue pot · Tabletop burner · Fondue forks

Straight Answers
Can you make Cheese Fondue in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Cheese Fondue? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Cheese Fondue ahead of time? — Partly

The components hold — prep the parts ahead and finish it close to serving for the best texture.

Is Cheese Fondue gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Cheese Fondue vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

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