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    Home » Main Dish

    Easy Vegan Cheese Fondue Recipe

    Published: November 27, 2021 | 1:11 am, Modified: Dec 17, 2022 by Connie Edwards McGaughy This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Vegan Cheese Fondue Recipe 🌱 A simply delicious recipe for preparing the best cheese fondue. Cashews, potatoes, white wine and kirsch blended with all plant-based ingredients create this rich and creamy classic European cheese dipping sauce.

    A fondue pot filled with easy vegan cheese fondue, surrounded with fresh vegetables.

    Cheese fondue may be at the top of my list as the ultimate cozy, comfort food to share on a chilly night with family and friends. It's the perfect interactive dining experience where everyone can have fun dipping a variety of small bites into a pot of sumptuously scrumptious hot melted vegan cheese. In fact, it is right up there with a couple other favorite cheesy dishes like our vegan broccoli cheese pot pie, and easy vegan mac & cheese.

    A fondue set with fresh veggies and a pot of easy vegan cheese fondue.
    Easy vegan cheese fondue with fresh veggies and bread for dipping.

    This post may include affiliate links. I may earn from purchases at no additional cost to you.

    Jump to:
    • 🥕 Why you will love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • 🥕Serving Suggestions
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • 🥕 Fondue FAQ's
    • Recipe
    • Food Safety

    During a recent trip to Amsterdam, my family enjoyed an amazing meal at the popular vegan restaurant and plant-based cheesery Mr. & Mrs. Watson. The café is named after Donald Watson, the English animal rights advocate, and his wife Dorothy who co-founded The Vegan Society in 1944. On the menu was a fantastic vegan Prosecco cashew fondue served with bread and seasonal vegetables. It was so good, we couldn’t stop thinking about it.

    We just had to try to recreate their luscious vegan cheese. Using our recipe for easy vegan cheese sauce as a jumping off point, we added Prosecco and a splash of kirsch, (also known as Kirschwasser - a dry, colorless brandy distilled from cherries). Kirsch is a common ingredient in Swiss cheese fondue, so we decided to go with tradition and include some in our vegan version.

    It turned out absolutely delicious or, as the Dutch would say "verrukkelijk!" The texture was thick and creamy, just as we experienced in Amsterdam and the flavor was rich and tangy with a cheesy tartness and subtle fruity undertone of the Prosecco and kirsch.

    Best Vegan Cheese Fondue Story

    🥕 Why you will love this recipe

    • It's easy & so yummy!
    • Perfect to serve as a romantic meal for two, or a cozy party with family & friends.
    • No dairy or added oil.
    • Enjoy it with a variety of tasty small bites like veggies, fruit, bread or tofu.
    • It's so much fun to eat!
    A pot of easy vegan cheese fondue sprinkled with fresh chives.
    We love this petite cast iron fondue pot from Boska. It's the perfect size to serve 2-4 people.

    🥕Fondue Fun Facts

    The word fondue originates from the French word "fondre" meaning "to melt".

    Fondue is a method of cooking, heating or melting ingredients in a pot or chafing dish with a burner or heat source underneath.

    In the 1960's & 70's, due to its trendy popularity, many households had at least one fondue set proudly displayed in their kitchens.

    How to prepare this recipe

    Ingredients for easy vegan cheese fondue including cashews, lemon, potatoes, nutritional yeast, white wine
tapioca flour, and salt and pepper.

    Ingredients

    • Cashews - raw & soaked
    • Potatoes - we prefer russet potatoes
    • Nutritional yeast - we like this brand a lot
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Lemon juice - freshly squeezed
    • Non-dairy milk - your choice. We used oat milk.
    • Prosecco - or dry white wine
    • Kirsch - optional or substitute with any colorless fruit brandy
    • Tapioca flour - for thickening
    • Garlic - fresh (optional ingredient)

    🥕Non-alcohol version: If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute the Prosecco and/or kirsch with additional non-dairy milk, vegetable broth, apple juice or sparkling cider.

    Small bites for dipping

    Fondue is all about dipping and this is where you can get as creative as you want! Here are some of our favorite things to enjoy as dippers:

    • Bread - Baguettes, sourdough, rustic artisan bread - cut into cubes
    • Fruit - Fresh or dried apples, pears, apricots, dates.
    • Veggies - Broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, potato wedges, artichoke hearts, and pickles, just to name a few.
    • Vegan Meats - Firm tofu cubes or slices, seitan, meatless nuggets, or our favorite veggie meatballs.

    🥕Serving Suggestions

    It's a good idea to lightly cook the vegetables for a few minutes by steaming, blanching in boiling water, or roasting in an oven until they're slightly tender. It helps bring out the colors & flavors while making them easier to eat. See this recipe for creating the best Mediterranean roasted veggies for more tips!

    Arrange your bread, veggies, etc. on a cutting board or in individual dishes or bowls. Provide small plates and forks or disposable bamboo skewers for single-use dipping (which isn't a bad idea when entertaining several people).

    A cherry tomato dipped into easy vegan cheese fondue.
    It's fun dipping veggies into the hot melted vegan cashew cheese fondue.

    Instructions

    🥕First – soak the cashews. Cashews need to be soaked before using if you want your vegan cheese to be super smooth and creamy. If I know I’m going to make this the next day, I’ll soak the cashews in water (refrigerated) overnight.

    Raw cashews soaking in hot water.
    Boiling water poured over raw cashews.

    A faster method is to cover the cashews in boiling water and allow them to sit for a couple hours. You can also place the cashews covered in water in a saucepan and boil for about 10 minutes on the stovetop until they plump up and soften.

    Ingredients to make easy vegan cheese fondue.
    Ingredients for making the best vegan cheese fondue.

    Gather & prep ingredients.

    Raw cashews soaked in water.
    Cashews soaked in water.

    Rinse & drain the pre-soaked cashews.

    Peeled and diced potatoes on a cutting board.
    Cubed russet potatoes ready for boiling.

    Peel, cut & cook potatoes

    Easy vegan cheese fondue ingredients in a blender.
    Vegan cheese fondue ingredients ready for blending.

    Place cashews, cooked potatoes, nutritional yeast, salt & pepper, lemon juice, milk, kirsch and tapioca flour in a blender.

    Easy vegan cheese fondue ingredients blended.
    Vegan cheese fondue ingredients fully blended.

    Blend at high speed. Shut off blender and stir (as needed) in between blending, until smooth.

    Blended easy vegan cheese fondue ingredients in a saucepan.
    Heating vegan cheese fondue for thickening.

    Transfer to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Fold in Prosecco or white wine.

    Cooked vegan cheese fondue in a saucepan.
    Vegan cheese fondue ready to be enjoyed!

    Stir a few minutes until cheese is thick and a bit stringy. Remove from heat.

    A fondue pot with vegan cheese fondue and a cube of french bread dipped in vegan cheese on a fondue fork.
    Pro Set Fondue Party by Boska and cast iron mini Dutch ovens

    Slice garlic in half and rub against the inside walls of your fondue pot (optional).Light burner under pot or plug-in (if electric). Place on a non-flammable surface. Pour cheese into pot. Sprinkle with chopped chives or freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy with cubes of french bread, baguette or sourdough and a variety of veggies, sliced fruit, or vegan meats.

    Equipment

    • Fondue pot & burner
    • Warming candle or fuel
    • Forks or bamboo skewers for dipping
    • Blender
    • 4 qt covered pot
    • Silicone spatula or whisk
    • Kitchen knife
    • Vegetable peeler
    • Citrus juicer
    • Medium bowl
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring cup

    🥕Safety Reminder

    Never leave a lit fondue pot unattended. Be sure to place the pot on a flame-proof or non-combustable surface. Stir cheese occasionally to prevent it from burning on the bottom of the pot. Adjust or lower the flame as needed and make sure to fully extinguish it before the pot is empty. 

    Bread dipped into a pot of vegan cheese fondue.

    🥕 Fondue FAQ's

    Where did fondue originate?

    According to this article, it originated in 18th century Switzerland as a means for farm families to stretch their limited resources during the winter months. With some remaining cheese and stale bread, and a dash of wine, the family could gather around the hearth. By dipping the bread in the melted cheese, the bread was softened and became delectable.

    What is a fondue pot?

    Fondue pots are typically small (2 quart or less) food-safe cooking vessels made of ceramic, stainless steel or cast iron that can be be heated directly underneath with a tea candle, Sterno or cooking fuel. Most come with a flame-proof stand and burner. Some pots are electric.

    Do I need a fondue pot to make fondue?

    No, you can prepare the cheese in a saucepan on a stove top and place the hot pan on a trivet or heat-proof surface without an added heat source underneath. You might need to occasionally re-heat the cheese to keep it warm, or place it on an electric hotplate.

    How do I store leftover cheese fondue?

    Since fondue is often served as a "communal" type dish, I do not recommend storing any leftover cheese that has been dipped into by others. If you think you might have more cheese than you will use at one time, package the untouched extra cheese into an airtight container and keep it refrigerated up to 3 days.

    How can I make this vegan cheese fondue kid-friendly?

    This recipe can be made kid-friendly by replacing the alcohol with dairy-free milk, vegetable broth, apple juice or sparkling cider. They'll love it!

    Easy vegan cheese fondue in a fondue pot surrounded by fresh veggies, bread cubes and apple slices.

    very vegan 🌱 very good

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you’ve enjoyed this recipe, please rate it in the comments below.

    Thanks a bunch!🥕

    Recipe

    Easy vegan cheese fondue in a pot surrounded by veggies and french bread for dipping.

    Easy Vegan Cheese Fondue Recipe

    Connie 🥕
    Easy Vegan Cheese Fondue Recipe 🌱 A simply delicious recipe for preparing the best cheese fondue. Cashews, potatoes, white wine and kirsch blended with all plant-based ingredients create this rich and creamy classic European cheese dipping sauce.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Soak cashews overnight 8 hrs
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine European, Vegan
    Servings 4
    Calories 230 kcal

    Equipment

    • Fondue pot & burner
    • Warming candle or fuel
    • Fondue forks or bamboo skewers for dipping
    • blender
    • 4 qt covered pot
    • Silicone spatula or whisk
    • kitchen knife
    • Vegetable peeler
    • Citrus juicer
    • medium bowl
    • Measuring spoons
    • Measuring cup

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 cups Cashews Raw and soaked
    • 2 large Potatoes We prefer russet potatoes
    • 1.5 tablespoons Nutritional yeast We like this brand
    • 2 teaspoons Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
    • ⅓ cup Lemon juice
    • ½ cup Non-dairy milk Your choice. We used oat milk.
    • ¾ cup Prosecco or dry white wine.
    • 1 tablespoon Kirsch Optional
    • 1 teaspoon Tapioca flour
    • 1 clove Garlic Optional

    Instructions
     

    Pre-soak cashews

    • Place cashews in a bowl. Cover with water and soak overnight in refrigerator. See notes below for quick method.

    Prepare cheese fondue

    • Rinse and drain pre-soaked cashews. Place in a blender.
    • Peel and cube potatoes. Place in a 4 quart (or larger) pot. Cover with water and place lid over pot.
    • Place on high heat. Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer for about 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat and drain.
    • Place cooked potatoes in blender. Add nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, lemon juice, vegan milk, kirsch and tapioca powder.
    • Place lid on blender and blend at high speed until very smooth. You might need shut off the blender occasionally and stir the ingredients a few times as it will be quite thick.
    • Transfer blended mixture to a 4 quart (or larger) pot. Place on stove over med-high heat.
    • Fold in Prosecco or white wine. Stir with silicone spatula or whisk for a few minutes until cheese is thick and a bit stringy. Remove from heat.
    • Slice garlic clove in half and rub the cut side on the inside walls of the fondue pot. (Optional).
    • Place fondue pot and stand on a non-flammable surface.
    • Light burner under fondue pot or plug-in (if electric).
    • Pour hot cheese into fondue pot. Sprinkle with chopped chives or freshly ground black pepper.
    • Enjoy with cubes of french bread, baguette or sourdough and a variety of veggies, sliced fruit, or vegan meats.

    Notes

    🥕Quick method for soaking cashews - A faster method is to cover the cashews in boiling water and allow them to sit for a couple hours. You can also place the cashews covered in water in a saucepan and boil for about 10 minutes on the stovetop until they plump up and soften.
    🥕Dippers (Small bites & things to dip in cheese fondue)
    • Bread – Baguettes, sourdough, rustic artisan bread – cut into cubes
    • Fruit – Fresh or dried apples, pears, apricots, dates.
    • Veggies – Broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, potato wedges, artichoke hearts, and pickles . . . just to name a few.
    • Vegan Meats – Firm tofu cubes or slices, seitan, meatless nuggets, or our favorite veggie meatballs.
    🥕Serving Suggestions 
    It’s a good idea to lightly cook the vegetables for a few minutes by steaming, blanching in boiling water, or roasting in an oven until they’re slightly tender. It helps bring out the colors & flavors while making them easier to eat. See this recipe for creating the best Mediterranean roasted veggies for more tips!
    Arrange your bread, veggies, etc. on a cutting board or in individual dishes or bowls. Provide small plates and fondue forks or disposable bamboo skewers for single use dipping (which isn’t a bad idea when entertaining several people).
    🥕Non-alcohol version: If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute the Prosecco and/or kirsch with additional non-dairy milk, vegetable broth, apple juice or sparkling cider.
    🥕Safety Reminder - Never leave a lit fondue pot unattended. Be sure to place the fondue pot on a flame-proof or non-combustable surface. Stir cheese occasionally to prevent it from burning on the bottom of the pot. Adjust or lower the flame as needed and make sure to fully extinguish it before the pot is empty. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 8gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 791mgPotassium: 317mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 79IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nancy

      December 29, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      love this fun recipe that's dairy free! great for someone thats lactose intolerant like me!

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        December 29, 2021 at 11:02 pm

        You're right Nancy, it is a wonderful alternative to dairy cheese.

        Reply
    2. Gina Abernathy

      December 29, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      I've never made fondue before. This would be a great New Year's recipe to try.

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy

        December 29, 2021 at 10:56 pm

        Thank you Gina. It's surprisingly easy to make. I do hope you'll give it a try!

        Reply
    3. Mihaela

      December 28, 2021 at 5:03 am

      5 stars
      This is so worth trying! Not the typical ingredients in my cupboard, but this is precisely what makes it more interesting!

      Reply
    4. Connie Edwards McGaughy

      November 27, 2021 at 1:16 am

      5 stars
      Looking for something new to serve for a small gathering or for a cozy night at home? Look no further! Vegan cheese fondue to the rescue! You won't believe how fun & easy it is to prepare this delish plant-based version of a classic Swiss dish.

      Reply

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