Impress guests with this cheese fondue recipe! This classic appetizer is made without wine and easy to make with a combination of Gruyere and sharp white cheddar cheeses.

Forks dipping bread into a pot of cheese fondue without wine.

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Cheese Fondue without Wine

Cheese fondue is such a fun shareable, family friendly appetizer! My recipe is both alcohol-free and wine-free, so it’s safe to serve everyone whether it’s New Years Eve with guests or game night with friends.

When it comes to making fondue, both chocolate and cheese have my heart. Sometimes I just crave the melty savory cheesiness, on Valentine’s Day, though, my chocolate fondue recipe is a must.

Recipe Ingredients

Cheese fondue ingredients including three types of cheese, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, garlic and cornstarch.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Garlic: All you need are half cloves. No need to mince, or grate them because all you’re using it for is to infuse the cheese melt with a subtle hint of garlic.
  • Chicken broth: A yummy flavor addition instead of traditional dry white wine.
  • White vinegar: Again, because we’re making cheese fondue without wine, we need a bit of acid to help keep the consistency of the fondue cheese nice and smooth. Otherwise, it might start to curdle.
  • Cheese: The fun part! I use a combination of gruyere and sharp white cheese. You can use whatever different types of cheese you prefer.
  • Cornstarch: This helps to coat the grated cheese and stops it from becoming lumpy as it melts together.
Jamielyn Nye

Best Cheese for Fondue

There are no hard and fast rules about what type you must use, but you want to consider that it should melt easily. I’m talking buttery smooth and creamy. Here are some great choices:

  • Cheddar
  • Gouda
  • Swiss
  • Fontina
  • Emmental
  • Raclette
  • Gruyere
  • Beaufort

How to Make Alcohol-Free Cheese Fondue

Making fondue at home is so easy! This cheese fondue recipe without wine is perfect for a special family meal.

Showing how to make cheese fondue without wine in a 4 step collage.
  1. Flavor the pot. This is a neat trick to use if you just want to get a subtle hint of garlic into the fondue without overpowering the mixture. What you’ll do is rub the fresh garlic cloves all over the inside of a small pot. Then, discard the cloves.
  2. Add the liquids and prep the cheese. Pour in the broth and vinegar over medium heat and bring them to a simmer. In a medium bowl, toss the shredded gruyere, fontina, and Swiss cheese with the cornstarch to coat.
  3. Add it to the broth. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in 1/2 cup at a time of mixed shredded cheese at a time until melted. It should be about 3 minutes until it’s all completely smooth and melted. Watch that it doesn’t burn.
  4. Stir in extra flavor. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in salt and pepper. Light the Sterno and set it on the fondue holder. Serve with desired dippers.

What to Dip in Cheese Fondue

Oh, the fun we have when deciding what to dunk into a gooey, melty, cheesy sauce! Here are just a few ideas to get you started, but use your imagination!

Alcohol free cheese fondue and bread on a fork.

Expert Tips

  • If the sauce is too thick, whisk in 1-2 Tablespoons of warm broth.
  • Smooth cheese fondue: Make sure to follow the directions that say, to add 1/2 cup at a time, melting in between each addition. Don’t add too much cheese at a time and stir continuously for the best cheese fondue.
  • Too thin? Whisk in a bit more cornstarch or add a little bit more cheese.
  • Use either a fondue pot or a mini crockpot to keep it warm and gooey.
  • The sauce can get thick the longer it sits. If that’s the case, warm it up for 15 seconds in the microwave.
  • Grate the cheese. There’s no room for packaged shredded cheese in a classic cheese fondue recipe! If you’re making fondue, be sure to grate your own fresh from a block. Pre-grated cheese will not melt the same way.
Fork dipping bread into cheese fondue.

This homemade cheese fondue is easy to make just like my pretzel cheese dip, nacho cheese or queso blanco.

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Cheese fondue and bread on a fork.

Cheese Fondue without Wine

5 from 11 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Impress guests with this cheese fondue recipe! This classic appetizer is made without wine and easy to make with a combination of Gruyere, Swiss and fontina cheeses.
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 1 garlic clove , halved
  • ¾ cup  chicken broth *see notes
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon Ground white pepper

Fondue Dippers

  • Lightly steamed vegetables
  • Pear , sliced
  • Granny smith apple , sliced
  • French bread , cubed
  • pretzel bites
  • Tortilla chips or crackers
  • Roasted potatoes

Instructions

  • Heat the broth and vinegar in a medium sized pot over medium heat.
  • In a large zip-top bag, toss together the shredded cheese, and 2 Tablespoons cornstarch.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in 1 handful of the cheese mixture at a time until melted. Repeat with remaining cheese, whisking continuously until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Watch it carefully.
  • Remove from heat and stir in salt and pepper. If too thick, whisk in 1 to 2 Tablespoons warmed broth. If too thin, whisk in a bit more cornstarch. It should fall off the spoon, but hold to a piece of bread.
  • Light the sterno (if using a fondue pot) and set on the fondue holder or place in a mini crockpot to keep warm and gooey. If it thickens, reheat in the microwave 15 seconds. Serve with desired dippers.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Broth: You can use dry white wine in place of the broth, if preferred. 
Spices: If you prefer a little spice, add in a dash of hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. 
Storage: This dip is best served the first day. You can store in a covered container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm. 

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 65mg, Sodium: 576mg, Potassium: 54mg, Fiber: 0.03g, Sugar: 0.3g, Vitamin A: 596IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 535mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.