A holiday fondue party is one of my favorite holiday themes! It’s an easy way to prepare a fun meal for friends and family for a simple holiday gathering. A great way to serve a cozy meal that is perfect for a winter day.
This fondue party allows for creativity, fun, and interaction. It’s ideal for any occasion, whether a family party, a cocktail party, a low-key get-together with friends, or a romantic date night. I love doing this around the holidays, though.
How to Host a Fondue Dinner Party
Continue reading for tips and tricks for hosting a successful fondue party that your guests will love. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the best cheese fondue recipe!
Choosing the Perfect Fondue Set
One essential item you will need is a fondue set. The set consists of a pot heated with a candle or alcohol burner and forks for dipping. Choose a fondue set that is the perfect size for your gathering, considering how many people you will have and the types of fondue that you plan on serving.
I use the Boska ceramic fondue set from Williams Sonoma.
I like to use the gel fuel made explicitly for fondue sets for the burn. This ensures that the burn will be steady and consistent throughout the party.
Prepare Your Ingredients and Accompaniments
Making fondue is easy. I have a great recipe below for a classic cheese fondue. You can prepare it on the stovetop and then move it to the fondue pot once the cheese has melted.
Traditionally, bread and potatoes are used for dipping in cheese fondue, but feel free to get creative with your accompaniments. Some of my favorites include:
- Bread – Cubes of bread work best.
- Baby Potatoes
- Apples and Pears
- Kielbasa or Sausage
- Vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower florets.
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Soft Pretzel Bites
Fresh fruit like strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows are perfect for a dessert fondue, but you can also try pound cake or cookies.
Set the Mood and Dinner Table
When I think fondue, I think of a cozy Swiss chalet covered in snow, lit with candles a fireplace, and surrounded by friends and family. It’s all about Hygge and the ambiance is crucial to creating the perfect fondue experience. Here are some tips for setting the mood:
- Dim the lights and light candles around the room.
- Play some holiday music in the background.
- Decorate with red and white accents to give it a festive feel.
- Add garland and cozy napkins to the table.
- Place a wool blanket on each chair for guests to wrap up in.
- For the holidays, I like to add the cutest cheese ornaments for my guests to take home.
- You don’t have to set the table, but I like taking it further for a holiday gathering.
- Place party poppers on each setting. I love the ones from Williams Sonoma. They come with a joke, charades, a paper crown, and a wine charm! Truly the best!
- Decorations can help create the perfect ambiance, and I love taking it a little further to add charm.
- You can also keep this super casual next to the fireplace. Throw pillows and blankets on the floor and place the fondue in the middle of a coffee table. Make sure to have plenty of candles for all the cozy vibes!
Tips for Serving Fondue
Make the fondue on the stovetop first so it melts quickly.
Have one fondue pot per 4 guests so everyone can reach it.
Allow each guest to have their own fondue forks for dipping and provide a small plate or napkin to place their used fork on.
If you are serving multiple types of fondue, label each pot so guests know what they’re dipping into.
Hosting a fondue party is a fun and delicious way to entertain guests and spice up an otherwise dull get-together.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, transfer the remaining fondue into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, heat it on low heat or in short intervals in the microwave to prevent scorching.
What to Serve with Fondue
Appetizers
Here are a few appetizers that will go great with cheese fondue:
Drinks
Wine and fondue go hand in hand, but choosing the right type of wine.
Dry white wine like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Riesling pairs well with cheese fondue.
You can also serve kirsch or white port as a traditional accompaniment to cheese fondue. Kirsch is a clear, colorless fruit brandy traditionally made from cherries. It adds a sweet and slightly fruity flavor to the cheese fondue.
Check out my tips for serving wine.
I served Williams Sonoma’s North Pole Punch for this party, which was perfect!
For dessert fondue, you can serve sparkling wine or champagne, but also consider offering. Choose a sweet wine like Moscato, Port, or Sherry for chocolate fondue.
Non-alcoholic options include sparkling cider, hot cocoa, or even tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to enjoying a fondue meal, there are a few rules of etiquette to follow. First and foremost, it’s important to remember that the fondue fork is used only for dipping, not for eating – for hygiene and safety reasons, as the fork can get quite hot. Prepare enough dipping forks so that each guest has his or her own set.
Secondly, double-dipping is a faux pas – once a piece of bread or other dipper has been dunked into the pot, it should not be returned. To minimize food wastage, encourage guests to dip small amounts at a time. Swirling your bread in a figure-eight motion is also considered courteous to keep the fondue well mixed.
Last but not least, remember the old Swiss tradition: if a morsel falls off your fork and into the pot, you must perform a fun task such as singing a song or telling a joke. These rules ensure everyone has a fun and cozy time and keep the tradition and spirit of fondue alive.
The beauty of a fondue meal lies in its versatility. While cheese fondue is traditionally served with cubes of crusty bread, you can also consider vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, radishes or cherry tomatoes for a healthier twist.
Small roasted potatoes and bite-sized pieces of cooked sausage or ham complement the cheese wonderfully. Fondue, fruits like strawberries, bananas, pineapple chunks, and apple slices are a classic choice for a chocolate dessert. Bite-sized pieces of cake, marshmallows, and pretzels also make for delightful dippers. The options are endless, and part of the fun is in the experimenting.
When it comes to cocktails that pair well with fondue, the goal is to find a mix that complements the richness of the cheese or the sweetness of the chocolate.
A cocktail such as a Classic Gin Martini can be a superb match for cheese fondue. Its crisp and clear flavor profile is excellent for cutting through the richness of the cheese. When garnished with a twist of lemon, the citrusy note adds a light, refreshing contrast to the creamy cheese.
A cocktail like the Espresso Martini can be a delightful companion for chocolate fondue. The potent mix of vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh-brewed espresso not only brings an additional dimension of flavor but also complements the sweetness of the chocolate.
The slightly bitter edge of espresso and the boozy kick of vodka help balance the sweetness, resulting in an indulgent combination that’s hard to resist.
More Fun Ideas for the Holiday Season
- Holiday Hot Chocolate Bar
- Cookie Swap Party
- Wreath Making Party
- Christmas Table Setting
- Christmas Front Porch Ideas
I hope you host a holiday fondue party for your friends and family this year! Please share your photos with @sugarandcharm!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts, and parties!
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Cheese Fondue Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Gruyère cheese, coarsely shredded
- 6 ounces Emmentaler cheese, coarsely shredded
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 large garlic clove
- 3/4 cup white wine
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the cheese and toss with cornstarch.
- Add the wine, garlic, and lemon juice in a medium sauce pot.
- Turn the oven to a simmer and stir while the cheese melts.
- Once it has melted, transfer it to a fondu pot and light the bottom to keep it creamy and melty.
Notes
Nutrition
