White Wine Swiss Cheese Fondue

Name: White Wine Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 clove garlic (peeled); 1 1/4 cups dry white wine; 2 cups Swiss cheese (shredded); 1 cup gruyere cheese (shredded); 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 1 pinch nutmeg; salt and pepper; cubed bread, fresh vegetables, apple slices for dipping

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by Katrina Bahl

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This delicious and creamy White Wine Swiss Cheese Fondue recipe will take your fondue night to the next level. Perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in. This is a sponsored recipe on behalf of the American Dairy Association Mideast.

fondue pot with cheese, vegetables and bread on a table

This recipe was originally published in 2014. The post was updated with new photos and instructional video in 2024.

What is Cheese Fondue?

Originated in the Swiss Alpine region, at its most basic level, classic cheese fondue is melted cheese used for dipping stale, crusty bread or vegetables past their prime. Loved for being an inexpensive meal, with ease of preparation and simplicity in flavor, Swiss cheese fondue became the national dish of Switzerland in the 1930s.

apple slice being dipped into a cheese fondue

Why You’ll Love Swiss Cheese Fondue

Fondue may sound like a fancy recipe, but it is not hard to conquer. If you love cheese, you will undoubtedly love this classic method of bringing simple ingredients together for a delicious start to your meal. The total time needed to make this simple dish is 10 minutes from start to finish.

Did you know that Ohio is the number one producer of Swiss Cheese in the United States? If you haven’t had Ohio Swiss cheese, you simply must!

Cheese Fondue Ingredients and Substitutions

We combine Swiss and Gruyère cheeses with dry, white wine and spices to make the most creamy, smooth traditional Swiss cheese fondue recipe. Other good choices include Gouda, fontina, and Emmental cheese.

We suggest using a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay as your wine base. Use a dry wine that you enjoy the taste of because you will be cooking with a hearty portion of it, and the flavor will come through to the result.

If you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve or a special Christmas dinner, you could add a splash of Kirsch or cherry brandy just before serving. A splash (teaspoon) of lemon juice would also work.

broccoli being dipped into cheese fondue

How To Make Fondue

Fondue is more of a method than a recipe. Generally, the amount of liquid required for a cheese fondue recipe will equal half the amount of cheese.

Rub the interior of a pot with garlic clove, then discard the garlic. Bring white wine to a simmer over medium heat.
Toss shredded or diced cheese with cornstarch and add to the pot.
Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until cheese blends and melts. When melting the cheese in the pot, use a figure 8 pattern to ensure even melting.
Continue to stir and simmer for about 5 minutes until smooth. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If too thick, add up to 1/4 cup more white wine and stir until smooth and incorporated again.
Transfer the cheese mixture to a fondue pot set over a flame. Sprinkle with a dash of fresh nutmeg before serving.

What to Dip in Swiss Cheese Fondue

Offer guests multiple varieties of bread, including soft bread (cubed or torn into bite-sized pieces) and a crusty whole-grain variety.

Tart apple slices, thinly sliced sweet pears, fresh vegetable crudites, including fresh or steamed broccoli and cauliflower, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, and cooked baby potatoes would also be delicious for dipping.

Some non-traditional dipping choices include cooked bacon and sausage slices, cocktail pickles, pearl onions, and sharp cheddar cheese cubes.

Meal Prep and Storage

To Make Ahead– In order to prepare in advance, grate the cheeses and refrigerate up to one day ahead. Chop vegetables for dippers and cook sausage or cubed potatoes to heat up before serving. Ensure that your fondue pot is working and that you have enough fondue forks for your guests.

To Store– Refrigerate leftover cheese fondue in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

To Reheat- Revive your leftovers the right way! Reheat your cold cheese on the stovetop over low heat to transform it into a delicious and warm dish. To ensure your cheese doesn’t dry out, stir often and add chicken stock or more wine as needed. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to breathe new life into your fondue leftovers!

A cheese fondue mixture should be kept warm enough to keep it smooth and liquid but not so hot that it burns. If this temperature is held properly until the fondue is finished, a thin crust of toasted (not burnt) cheese will be at the bottom of the fondue pot. This is called la religieuse (French for ‘the nun’). It has a cracker-like texture and is usually eaten by hand as a reward at the end of the night. Who needs chocolate fondue when you can have a la religieuse reward to look forward to?!