Vegan Cheese Fondue (The Best Recipe) - Elavegan (2024)

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4.81 from 21 votes

Enjoy this easy vegan cheese fondue in just 30 minutes and with 10 ingredients – packed with creamy, gooey, cheesy flavor and texture (and secret veggies!) for a decadent, more-ish treat. Perfect for serving alongside bread, crudites, and more at dinner parties, New Year’s Eve, during the Holidays, or even as a romantic surprise! Plus, this vegan cheese sauce recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made nut-free!

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When I first created my easy 3-minute Vegan Cheese Sauce recipe back in 2015, it absolutely changed my life. No, seriously… It says so right there in the blog post! Since then, I’ve tried my hand at several vegan cheese recipes and a delicious hidden veggie-filled Mac n’ Cheese with great success. Now I want to share this recipe for vegan fondue with you!

This dairy-free fondue recipe lies somewhere between my cheese sauce and Mac n’ Cheese sauce; it has the wonderfully gooey, cheesy texture of the former and the flavor-packing addition of hidden veg in the latter. Combine that with a cheese fondue recipe classic like white wine, and you have yourself a positively addictive appetizer that you’ll be wanting to dip everything into.

Vegan Cheese Fondue (The Best Recipe) - Elavegan (2)

Creamy, Gooey, Luxurious Vegan Swiss Cheese Sauce!

I made this recipe 4 years ago for the first time and since then we enjoy this vegan cheese fondue at home every year on special holidays like Christmas (and also often on New Year’s Eve)!

With the addition of some extra veggies like potatoes and chickpeas (yes, you read that right!), you’ll even be packing in additional nutrients! And don’t worry, they won’t completely take over the flavor either – but they do an excellent job at adding starch, creating texture, and providing just enough flavor to impress!

I think it’s also important to note that I’m no stranger to a delicious Swiss Cheese sauce either – back before I went vegan, this type of fondue dish was one I loved to have on special occasions, and when I did – I could eat until I put myself into a food coma. This vegan Swiss cheese fondue may not taste exactly the same as its dairy counterpart, but it’s certainly got me hooked and will impress all your family and friends (included dairy eaters!).

Within this post, I’ll take you through the ingredients – including variations and optional add-ins, what to dip in cheese fondue, and a few helpful recipe notes. Let’s dive right in!

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The Ingredients

  • Potatoes: Needed for the starch and thickening/textural properties.
  • Chickpeas or White Beans: I love using canned legumes hidden into recipes for how they can transform textures without affecting flavor too much.
  • Plant-based milk: I always use canned coconut milk (the lite version- it isn’t very ‘coconutty’ but still super creamy). You can use any plant-based milk of your choice though, higher-fat versions will yield creamier results; otherwise, you can include extra tahini/cashew butter.
  • Dry white wine: Make sure to check that the wine is vegan. Alternatively, for an alcohol-free vegan fondue, then use vegetable broth.
  • Cashew Butter: or tahini for a nut-free version. This helps to add additional creamy richness. Alternatively, use 50 grams (1/3 cup) raw cashews instead of the butter and cook them with the potato/chickpeas.
  • Garlic: If you don’t have fresh, you could also use garlic powder.
  • Seasonings: Onion Powder & salt
  • Nutritional yeast flakes: This is what adds the cheesy flavor and definitely shouldn’t be omitted
  • Tapioca starch: The special ingredient!! Tapioca starch mimics the stretchy, gooey consistency of dairy cheese and is a must-have for this vegan fondue. Use arrowroot flour instead if you can’t find tapioca starch.
  • Olive oil: or another oil

Optional Extras

All of the below are entirely optional but can add extra tang or umami flavor to the vegan Swiss cheese fondue.

  • Miso Paste white or brown. Note that brown miso will affect the color, and not all miso pastes are vegan, so read the label carefully.
  • Mustard Dijon mustard and wholegrain both work very well. Alternatively, you can add a tiny bit of pickling juice for extra tang!
  • Soy Sauce –Great for additional flavor and umami

Check out the recipe notes section for more optional add-in suggestions.

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How To Make Vegan Fondue

Step One: Cook the veggies

  • First, chop the potato into 1-inch pieces and transfer to a medium pot with the chickpeas or beans and cover with water.
  • Add a little salt and bring the water to a boil, then simmer over low-medium heat, covered, for around 15 minutes, or until the potato is fork-tender.
  • Meanwhile, prepare any steamed/cooked cheese fondue dippers that you want to serve it with; steam broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts (or veggies of choice). Also, chop the bread and prepare any raw accompaniments.

Step Two: Blend the vegan cheese fondue sauce

  • Add the cooked potatoes and chickpeas/beans to a blender. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan/pot and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute, then add it to the blender.
  • Also, add all of the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend into a smooth sauce.

Step Three: Heat and serve

  • Pour the blended sauce back into the pot and let it simmer for just a couple of minutes until it’s stretchy and elastic.
  • Transfer to a fondue pot and enjoy immediately with your dippers of choice! (read below!).

For the full ingredients list, ingredient measurements, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.

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How To Serve

Serve it warm in a fondue pot and surrounded by all your favorite cheese fondue dippers. Traditionally, you’d dip your bread first, then the veggies and ‘others’ – but since you’re at home, I say you do you!

What To Dip In Cheese Fondue

  • Bread cubes: any leftover bread will do, baguettes, loaves, pita – get a whole selection going for any carb-lovers out there.
  • Fresh veggies: Your favorite fresh veggies will all work with this vegan fondue – mange tout/sugar snaps, mushrooms, small tomatoes, carrots, celery, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
  • Pickled veggies: for extra flavor, go the route of pickled veggies like pickled onions or gherkins. You could also spoon a little sauerkraut into the cheese sauce!
  • Fruits: Fresh apple, grapes, and pears will happily ‘pear’ up with this vegan Swiss cheese fondue (see what I did there? 😉 )
  • Potatoes: Okay, I know these are technically a veggie, AND the dairy-free fondue has potato in – but that’s no reason to deny yourself the joy of dipping in some delicious boiled, roasted, or pan-roastedpotatoes!
  • Meat alternatives: for those who enjoy meat-alternatives, then vegan sausages make for a great fondue dipper.

You can also serve this vegan fondue alongside several other appetizers like:

  • Easy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
  • Baked Vegan Onion Rings (Gluten-Free)
  • Vegan French Onion Dip
  • Best Oil-Free Hummus

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How To Store The Vegan Cheese Sauce?

The sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It is also freezer-friendly and can be frozen for up to 2 months.

To reheat, allow the vegan cheese fondue to thaw first in the fridge, then heat on the stovetop. You may need to add an extra splash of plant-based milk to bring it back to the super creamy texture.

It can be reserved as a fondue or used as a cheese sauce for many dishes (pasta and nachos included!).

It’s important to note that tapioca starch may not retain its’ texture when thawed and reheated, unlike arrowroot flour. Adding more while reheating, though, should work fine if necessary!

Recipe Notes & Variations

  • For more of a smoked flavor, then you could add a little liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
  • To add a little spice, you could garnish with some red pepper flakes.
  • To make dipping easier, use special fondue forks. Otherwise, you can use skewers, chopsticks (if you have the skills), or even regular forks.
  • Read the ingredients section above for more notes on ingredient alternatives and optional add-ins to your dairy-free fondue!

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Related Vegan Cheese Recipes

  • Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe
  • Homemade Vegan Cottage Cheese
  • Vegan Parmesan Cheese
  • Simple Vegan Ricotta Cheese
  • Vegan Mac And Cheese
  • Best Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich

If you try this vegan fondue recipe, I’d love a comment and recipe ★★★★★ rating below. Also, don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan/ #elavegan – I love seeing your recreations!

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Vegan Cheese Fondue

Enjoy this easy vegan cheese fondue in just 30 minutes and with 10 ingredients - packed with creamy, gooey, cheesy flavor and texture (and secret veggies!) for a decadent, more-ish treat. Perfect for serving alongside bread, crudites, and more at dinner parties, New Year's Eve, during the Holidays, or even as a romantic surprise! Plus, this vegan cheese sauce recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made nut-free!

4.81 from 21 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Swiss

Servings 4

Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients

Vegan Cheese Sauce:

For Serving:

  • Bread cubes
  • Steamed veggies
  • Mushrooms

Instructions

  • Watch the video in the post for easy visual instructions.

    Chop the potato into 1-inch pieces and transfer them to a medium pan or pot. Also, add the canned chickpeas and cover with water. Add a little salt and bring the water to a boil, then simmer over low-medium heat, covered, for around 15 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the bread and prep the other ingredients (steamed veggies, etc.). After 15 minutes drain the water and transfer the potatoes and chickpeas to a blender.

  • Heat oil in the same pan and add minced garlic. Fry for about 1 minute, then set aside.

  • Add all remaining ingredients to the blender and blend on high until the sauce is smooth.

  • Pour the sauce into the pan (you can use the same one as before) and cook the sauce over medium heat for a couple of minutes or until it's a little stretchy and elastic. Taste it and add more seasonings if needed.

  • Transfer to your fondue pot and serve with bread cubes (I used gluten-free baguette), steamed veggies, mushrooms, or dippers of choice. Enjoy!

Notes

Video Of The Recipe

  • Cashew butter: You can use 50 grams (1/3 cup) of raw cashews instead of cashew butter or tahini. Cook the raw cashews with the potatoes and chickpeas, if using. Use tahini for a nut-free version, though, the taste might be slightly bitter.
  • Wine: Use a vegan dry wine. Alternatively, use vegetable broth for an alcohol-free version.
  • Milk: I prefer canned coconut milk (the lite version) but you can use any other dairy-free milk. Choose a milk with higher fat content, since the vegan fondue will be tastier, or add more cashew butter if using low-fat milk.
  • Tapioca flour: You can use arrowroot flour instead.
  • Optional add-ins: Add a little miso paste for even more flavor. You can also add a little mustard and soy sauce for more umami taste.
  • If you love cheese, then make sure to check out my sliceable Vegan Cheese Recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Vegan Cheese Fondue

Amount per Serving

Calories

304

% Daily Value*

Fat

10

g

15

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

5

%

Carbohydrates

34

g

11

%

Fiber

6

g

24

%

Sugar

5

g

6

%

Protein

11

g

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Vegan Cheese Fondue (The Best Recipe) - Elavegan (10) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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Vegan Cheese Fondue (The Best Recipe) - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

What is a good alternative cheese for fondue? ›

You can pretty much use any reasonably melting cheese you like although a strong cheddar is very nice. For something really interesting add some Mozzerella and slowly melt it down and you get a wonderful stringy finish. Vacherin, Comté or Emmental, I wouldn't go for Gouda, it's not cheese from the fondue regions.

What is a good melting cheese for fondue? ›

The best all-around cheeses for fondue are fontina, Gruyère, and gouda. If you aren't sure what to pick, use even amounts of these three. Together are lush and complex. For classic Swiss cheese fondue (meaning one like what you would find in Switzerland), a mix of traditional, firm mountain-style cheeses is best.

Why do you put lemon juice in fondue? ›

Lemon juice helps stabilize the emulsion of melted cheese and wine, while providing a bright flavor to balance the dairy-fat richness. Keeping the heat low while melting the cheese prevents the fondue from breaking.

Why is my cheese fondue rubbery? ›

If the fondue has been over-cooked and the cheese is turning into hard lumps then adding a teaspoon or two of lemon juice should help to restore the texture. If the cheese has split and looks greasy but not lumpy then adding extra cornflour (cornstarch) will help to re-emulsify the mixture.

What are the 4 types of fondue? ›

There are four commonly prepared types of fondue: cheese fondue, chocolate fondue, oil fondue (also known as meat fondue), and broth fondue.

What kind of bread is best for fondue? ›

A mild-flavored sourdough or baguette will work well. You can also use a loaf of dense rye bread, but you may want to cube it instead of tearing it into chunks. Baguettes are the traditional choice for dipping in fondue because they have a mild flavor and crisp crust that's perfect for dipping in creamy, melted cheese.

Can you overcook cheese fondue? ›

3. Add a generous pinch each of pepper and nutmeg, and cook, stirring gently, until creamy and smooth, about 10 minutes; don't overcook the fondue or it will get stringy. Serve at once.

What is a nice melting cheese? ›

What is the best melting cheese? Cheeses with more moisture and lower melting points - cheddar is one of the most popular choices, but Swiss and Gruyère are also terrific options. Which melts better, mild or sharp cheddar? Mild cheddar melts more smoothly than sharper (more aged) cheddar.

What should you not do with fondue? ›

Fondue rules

You must not double dip, and never put your fork directly into your mouth. You can grab it off with just your teeth, but the best way is to slide it onto your plate and use a regular fork to eat it.

Is broth or oil better for fondue? ›

When making fondue, the first thing to consider is what type of ingredients you want to use; if you are a vegetarian, you may prefer the oil. The oil is also a healthier option because it contains no fat or calories. However, if you like meat and cheese, the broth is better because it has more flavors.

What does cornstarch do in cheese fondue? ›

Never let fondue boil, which will cause the cheese proteins to curdle and the oil to separate. This recipe also calls for a slurry of kirsch and a little bit of cornstarch, which will also help to prevent the cheese and wine from separating.

How do you get lumps out of cheese fondue? ›

If a fondue is starting to separate then adding cornflour (cornstarch) mixed with a little cold water usually brings it back together again as the cornflour binds moisture to the cheese solids. However if the fondue has turned into a solid lump of cheese then it is most likely that it has been overheated.

Why do you put alcohol in cheese fondue? ›

The fondue pot, caquelon, absorbs some of the direct heat and lets the cheese melt at the correct temperature. The more aged the cheese, the better it melts, and the addition of acid in the form of wine and lemon juice keeps the proteins apart and helps the cheese melt evenly.

How do you smooth out cheese fondue? ›

Whatever the case, you need to fix your fondue fast. Do so by creating a slurry consisting of ¼ cup (60 ml) cold white wine and three tablespoons of cornstarch. (This is good for about 1 ½ pounds/650 grams of grated cheese.) Once combined, whisk it into your sauce little by little until it finally comes together.

Does fondue have to be cheese? ›

As you can imagine, cheese is by no means the only type of fondue. Fondue bourguignonne is a variation featuring hot oil instead of cheese, and chunks of meat in place of the bread.

What can I use instead of Swiss in fondue? ›

For another smooth, semi-hard Swiss cheese, Emmental is a great choice. In fact, it's often used with Gruyère when making fondue, so you know it will have a similar melting power.

What can I substitute for Gruyere cheese in fondue? ›

Other Swiss types of cheese like Raclette cheese or Appenzeller Cheese or Dutch cheeses like Edam cheese or Gouda or Jarlsberg cheese from Norway or American Swiss cheese can all be substituted.

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