Instant Pot Cheese Fondue

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This Easy Instant Pot Cheese Fondue is made with Gruyere, Swiss, Gouda, and of course, white wine. A crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for dipping bread, veggies, fruits, and cooked meats.

The Copycat Melting Pot Cheese Fondue Recipe you have been waiting to make at home. Just the thing to make for a party with friends, a cozy movie night, a romantic dinner, and hey, game night always calls for something cheesy to dip and cheer on your team.

Who else out there can’t possibly have enough cheese in life?

A Instant Pot filled with cheese fondue with a tray of raw veggies and bread cubes in the background.

Why We Love This Recipe!

Quick and easy: This cheese dip is ready to enjoy in around 30 minutes!
Simple ingredients: All you need is some cheese, garlic, wine, and some seasonings. Simple and delicious!
Perfect for a crowd: This recipe easily serves 6, and it’s easily doubled if you are hosting more.
Versatile: Even though this is made in the Instant Pot, you can easily make this in a double boiler or even a fondue pot.

Some friends and I just love to go to Melting Pot for fondue. It’s always such a fun way to enjoy each other’s company and some great food. It really an experience, not just a meal!

Why not bring the same experience right to the comfort of your own home?

Gather these simple ingredients and get started.

Ingredient Notes

Cheeses: Gruyere Cheese, Gouda Cheese, and Swiss Cheese are my cheeses of choice. The perfect combination to match that Classic Alpine Melting Pot Fondue.
Corn Starch: This will thicken the sauce
Wine: Wine enhances the flavor, and depending on which type you use, the flavors will change. I love a white or rose for this recipe.
Chicken Broth: Another flavor component and what thins out the cheese sauce. If you don’t want to use wine, just double the broth.
Minced Garlic: Fresh minced garlic for that garlicky yumminess.
Lemon Juice: Adds a little burst of brightness and freshness.
Nutmeg: This will add warmth and gives just a slight hint of sweetness to the fondue dip.
Dijon Mustard: For a tangy bit to round it all out.

Ingredient image for instant pot cheese fondue.

How To Make Instant Pot Cheese Fondue

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Step 1 | Prep Cheese and Make Broth

In a large bowl, mix the shredded cheese with cornstarch.

Then set the Instant Pot to sauté and add the wine, water, garlic, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.

Collage image of shredded cheese tossed with corn starch and liquids needed for fondue base in an instant pot.

Step 2 | Melt Fondue Cheeses and Add Spices

Once boiling, add the cheese and whisk or stir until the cheese is melted. Then add in the nutmeg and Dijon mustard and stir to combine.

Collage images showing steps to melt cheese for Instant Pot Cheese Fondue.

Step 4 | Enjoy

Next, bring on your friends or family and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pre-shredded cheese for cheese fondue?

I highly recommend shredding your own cheese. It will melt much more smoothly. Prepackaged cheese contains caking agents and doesn’t work as well. However, if you are going to attempt it get a high-quality cheese, like Sargento. I find it works the best. But again, I really recommend using a block of cheese.

Do I have to use wine?

If you want to replicate the taste, know the melting pot uses wine and beer in their cheese fondues. However, you do not have to. You can just replace it with more chicken broth.

An overhead image of Instant Pot Cheese Fondue on a wooden table.

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Variations and Substitutions

Want to try a beer-based cheese fondue: Use beer in place of the wine and use a blend of both Cheddar and Emmenthaler cheeses. Replace the nutmeg with a teaspoon of Worchestershire sauce and a dash of cayenne. Delish!
French Onion Fondue: Leave off the nutmeg and Dijon. Caramelize onions in a little butter before bringing the broth to a boil. Also, substitute beef broth for chicken broth. Replace the Gouda with Fontina along with Gruyere and Swiss, and you have the perfect French onion fondue.
Fiesta Fondue: Use a blend of Cheddar and Emmenthaler, replace the wine and use your favorite lite or Mexican beer. Leave off the nutmeg and Dijon and go for salsa and some diced green chiles or jalapenos to flavor the fondue instead of nutmeg and Dijon.

How to Keep Cheese Warm to Serve?

Use a Fondue Pot: You can find so many types of fondue pots, from ones that use a tealight candle to ones heated with fuel canisters and even tabletop electric fondue pots. These are all perfect to keep the cheese fondue warm for serving.
You can use a double boiler method:
- Instant Pot: You would remove the cheese from the instant pot and place it in a heat-proof glass bowl. Pour about 2 cups back into the instant pot inner pot. Bring water to a boil using saute, then turn it down to the warm setting. Then place the bowl back into the instant pot
- Buffet warmer. You would remove the cheese from the instant pot and place it in an appropriate-sized buffet server that would fit on top of the server insert you are using. Pour about 2 cups or enough water to cover the bottom a couple of inches in the buffet server. Place the cheese bowl on top and light the heating source. Check from time to time to be sure water is still in the bottom.

Serving Ideas for Dipping Cheese Fondue

There really are so many delicious ideas for dipping in cheese! You really cannot go wrong.

Crusty Bread Cubes: French Bread, Sour Dough, Breadsticks, Rye Bread cubes.
Sliced & Whole Fruit: Apples, Grapes, Figs,
Veggies: Raw broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, sliced peppers, grilled asparagus, roasted potatoes
Cooked Meats & Seafood Bites: Grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp.
Hard Pretzels or Soft Pretzels Bites

Just remember, if you normally cook something to eat, you will also need to do so for fondue. Cheese Fondue is really a dip and will not cook food as a hot pot would.

Tips

A skewer with a sliced red pepper being dipped into cheese fondue in a instant pot.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 days.

To Reheat: To reheat, place the desired amount in a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

More Great Dip Recipes:

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