Melting Pot Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe (for Instant Pot)

Last Updated on December 6, 2024

This Melting Pot Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe is a classic, easy-to-make fondue perfect for any party.

It can be made in the Instant Pot and served with bread, apples, and other dippers of your choice, like air fryer pretzel bites.

If you love party-friendly recipes, like charcuterie boards, then this is the recipe for you. So, gather up your friends and family and get ready to enjoy this creamy delicious recipe.

Jump to:

• What are Some fun Facts About Fondue?
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔀 Substitutions
• 🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
• 🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• 🔪 How to Make Melting Pot Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe
• 👩‍🍳 Pro Tips
• ❓ Recipe FAQs
• 🙏 Pairing
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• 📋 Recipe
• Pro Tips
• Recipe FAQs

What are Some fun Facts About Fondue?

Since fondue is a great party food, of course it’s important to know some fun facts about it, so you can share them at your party.

• The word “fondue” comes from the French verb fondre, which means “to melt.”
• Fondue originated on Alpine farms as an inexpensive way to feed a family, with the original version being stale bread dipped in melted Gruyère.
• The Swiss Cheese Union popularized fondue as the national dish of Switzerland in the 1930s to increase cheese consumption. 
• Fondue forks are different colors so everyone knows which fork is theirs.
• If you get to eat the cheese crust at the bottom of the pot, you should think of it as a privilege. This crust is called la religieuse ("the nun") because it looks like caps the nuns wore in the Middle Ages.
• Pay attention to see if anyone loses their bread in the fondue pot, because they’re expected to buy a round of drinks.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy and delicious dish is the perfect appetizer for your next fondue party.

• Easy to make: All you have to do is mix, boil, and melt the ingredients in your instant pot.
• Always a hit at parties: Since this is a communal dining experience, the host can join the guests and everyone can sit around enjoying each other’s company while dipping food in the fondue.
• Skip the wait at a fondue restaurant and make this at home: In just about half an hour, you’ll have your own fondue ready to serve.

If you love cheese recipes like this one, then next time give this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe a try.

🥘 Ingredients

This fondue recipe only requires a few simple ingredients, so after one quick trip to the grocery store, you’ll be ready to make this tasty appetizer.

• Shredded Swiss cheese: Swiss cheese provides a mild, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when melted, which is essential for a classic fondue.
• Shredded Gouda cheese: Gouda adds a rich, slightly sweet and creamy flavor. It melts well and enhances the overall texture and flavor complexity of the fondue.
• Shredded Gruyere cheese: Gruyere is a traditional cheese for fondue due to its excellent melting properties. It contributes a nutty and slightly salty flavor, balancing the mildness of Swiss cheese.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent. It helps to stabilize the cheese mixture, preventing it from separating and ensuring a smooth, cohesive texture.
• Fresh lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor and additional acidity, which helps to prevent the cheese from becoming stringy or clumping together.
• Ground nutmeg: Nutmeg provides a warm, slightly sweet and spicy note that complements the cheese and other flavors in the fondue.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities

🔀 Substitutions

Cheese: If you can’t find Gruyere cheese, you can substitute it with another type of soft cheese, like Jarlsberg or Fontina cheeses.

Nutmeg: You can substitute mace if you’re out of nutmeg.

Mustard: If you are not a fan of Dijon mustard, you can use yellow mustard or any of these other substitutes.

🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Here are a few ways that you can change up this recipe to make it your own.

Add additional spices: If you want a little more flavor in your cheese dip, feel free to add additional spices. Some great options include cayenne pepper, chili powder, or paprika.

Make it creamier: If you want a creamier cheese fondue, you can add additional milk or cream to the recipe.

Add beer: If you want a little extra flavor, you can replace the water or chicken broth with beer. Just make sure that you use a light-colored beer so that it doesn’t affect the color of your cheese dip.

If you like cheese dip, check out my Velveeta cheese dip recipe.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a couple of kitchen tools to help you make (and eat) this cheesy dip.

• Instant Pot: This is what you need to cook your dip.
• Fondue forks: All of your guests will need one for dipping.

🔪 How to Make Melting Pot Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe

Making this cheese fondue is super easy. Just follow the instructions below and you will have a tangy cheese dip in no time at all.

Step 1: Mix Cheese and Cornstarch

Mix the cheeses with the cornstarch.

Step 2: Add Ingredients in the Instant Pot

Set your instant pot to sauté and add the wine, water, garlic, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Once boiling, add the cheese and stir until melted.

Step 4: Add Seasonings

Once melted add the nutmeg and mustard.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Dip your favorite veggies, apples, and bread in the Instant Pot.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the best cheese fondue possible.

• It is important to stir the cheese often while it is melting. This will help to prevent it from scorching or burning on the bottom of the pot.
• Add a little more flavor with a sprinkle of black pepper.
• It’s better to shred the cheese yourself. Shredding your own cheese contributes to a smoother, creamier, and more flavorful fondue, free from additives and preservatives that can interfere with the texture and taste.
• You can transfer the fondue to an electric fondue pot, or use your instant pot to keep this easy appetizer recipe warm. You can also keep this simple recipe warm for family gatherings in a slow cooker or mini crock pot.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Melting Pot Swiss Cheese Fondue:

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📋 Recipe