This Cheese Fondue with grilled bread is such a fun, quick, and easy appetizer to make on the grill this Summer! There’s nothing more satisfying than toasted bread dipped in melty cheese… especially if the cheese dip only has 3 ingredients! This easy fondue recipe with grilled bread is my idea of the ultimate and perfect appetizer!

three-quarters view of a piece of grilled bread being dipped into a pot of fondue with a long fork.

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What’s in this Fondue Recipe?

Cheese Fondue is up there on my list of very favorite things. There’s nothing better than melted cheese! It’s only made better by dipping toasty grilled bread right in and eating to your heart’s content.

  • Swiss Cheese: The original cheese of choice for authentic fondue.
  • Cornstarch: Thickens the fondue to a dippable consistency.
  • Evaporated Milk: Helps to thin the cheese to a dippable consistency without making it runny.
  • Grilled Bread: A simple French baguette slathered with butter or olive oil and garlic salt is the perfect accompaniment for this simple fondue!

Pro Tip: Grate your own cheese for the smoothest fondue. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starch that can cause them to melt unevenly.

Variations on Fondue

If Swiss isn’t your thing, you can swap it out for gouda, fontina, gruyère, comté, emmental, raclette, vacherin, or cheddar cheese. Mix multiple kinds of cheese together and play with the proportions to get the perfect mix for your tastes. Just be sure to use 10 ounces total.

step by step photos for how to make cheese fondue.
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What is fondue?

Fondue is a Swiss melted cheese dip that is served in a communal pot, called a caquelon. It’s traditionally eaten by dipping bread into the cheese using long-stemmed forks.

What is the best cheese for fondue?

Swiss is the classic choice for fondue, but you can make it with other cheeses you like. Don’t use pre-grated cheeses, as these often have a coating that can be harder to melt. Either grate by hand or cut the cheese into small cubes.

Do I have to add cornstarch to fondue?

No, but I highly recommend it. Cornstarch helps to further stabilize the cheese and thickens the fondue as it cooks. Without it, your fondue may turn out runny.

Can I make this fondue on the stove?

You can! You cook it on the stove exactly the same as you would the grill, or you can even make this easy fondue recipe in the microwave! Yes, you heard that right! Just microwave all ingredients on high for 30 seconds at a time, stirring as you go, and repeating until fully creamy and melted. Yum!

Why is my fondue clumping?

Over-stirring the cheese mixture could allow the proteins to bond and create a stringy or clumpy texture, so take care not to stir for too long once everything has come together.

Can I make fondue ahead of time?

This fondue needs to be served straight away so that the cheese is gooey and dippable. You can keep it warm for a little while, but on a low heat so that the cheese doesn’t burn. Whenever possible, make it as close to serving as you can.

What do you dip in cheese fondue?

Grilled bread, of course! It’s also tasty with crackers, veggies, or even fruits!

overhead view of cheese fondue in a white pot.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover cheese fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.

How to Freeze

To freeze fondue, let cool to room temperature or chill in the refrigerator until hard. Once hard, cut into chunks and place in an airtight container or Ziplock bag to freeze for up to 2 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

The obvious choice here is to keep it simple and serve this fondue with the grilled bread from the recipe. But there are just so many options for dipping! Apple slices, grapes, grilled veggies, or even chips would be delicious. For a full meal, I like to dip poached chickengrilled steak, or air fryer shrimp.

overhead view of a long fork dipping grilled bread into a pot of cheese fondue.

More Cheese Dip Recipes We Love

Recipe Card

Cheese Fondue Recipe

4.44 from 16 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Becky Hardin
featured cheese fondue.
For a fun, quick, and easy appetizer, look no further than this Cheese Fondue with grilled bread. It's just 3 ingredients and comes together in a snap!
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Equipment

  • Grill
  • Fondue Forks

Ingredients 

For the Cheese Fondue

  • 10 ounces freshly shredded Swiss cheese
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch (1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon)
  • cups evaporated milk

For the Grilled Bread

  • 1 (12-ounce) French baguette sliced into ½-inch thick slices
  • Unsalted butter or olive oil spray
  • Garlic salt to taste

Instructions 

For the Cheese Fondue

  • Place the cheese and cornstarch in a grill-safe bowl (preferably cast iron).
    10 ounces freshly shredded Swiss cheese, 4 teaspoons cornstarch
    shredded cheese and cornstarch in a pot.
  • Pour the evaporated milk over the cheese.
    1¼ cups evaporated milk
    evaporated milk poured over shredded cheese and cornstarch in a pot.
  • Place on a hot grill and stir constantly until creamy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes. If its too thick, stir in more evaporated milk. If its too thin, stir in more cheese/cornstarch.
    a wooden spoon lifting cheese fondue from a pot to show the viscosity.

For the Grilled Bread

  • Spray both sides bread slices with olive oil spray or butter spray and sprinkle with garlic salt to taste.
    1 (12-ounce) French baguette, Unsalted butter, Garlic salt
    oiled and salted slices of french bread on a baking sheet.
  • Place on a grill pan and place on the grill while fondue melts.
  • Watch the bread closely, when the first side toasts up (about 2 minutes), flip and toast the other side.
  • Serve the cheese dip with grilled bread for dipping.

Becky’s Tips

  • Don’t have the pot on too high of a heat or the cheese at the bottom can burn. Keep stirring so that it doesn’t catch.
  • Once the cheese has all melted, you can add in more evaporated milk or more cheese to make it your preferred consistency.
Storage: Store cheese fondue in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Calories: 615kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 33gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1323mgPotassium: 398mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 779IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 929mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.44 from 16 votes (16 ratings without comment)
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