How to Reheat Fondue? | A Tasty Pot of Gooey Goodness!

Cheese fanatics know how delectable fondue is, not to mention that this is one of those versatile dips that you can eat with just about ANYTHING. The smooth texture of the cheese with the slight savory aftertaste is something that no dish can ever explain.

However, there is never a possibility that you can make cheese fondue that doesn’t leave leftovers. You will always have leftover cheese fondue, unless you gobble down everything the same day you make it, fearing that there is no way you could reheat it.

You can reheat cheese fondue without losing most of its original, rich flavour. Some techniques you can use include using a double boiler, stove, and microwave.

Let me break that myth for you because you can easily reheat fondue and enjoy the warm, gooey taste at a later day!

Related post: How to Reheat Ganache — Ready to overindulge your taste buds?

What is Fondue?

Fondue is a Swiss dish that is made with melted cheese. The dish often contains some form of alcohol, often including brandy or some sort of white wine.

The dish is extremely versatile and is often eaten as a dip for fruits, veggies, and even bread. With how popular the concept has become in today’s date, restaurants are also coming up with sweeter alternatives with chocolate fondue.

Different Methods to Reheat Fondue

Be it for cheese or for chocolate fondue, the reheating process is more or less the same. You just need to ensure that you don’t reheat it multiple times as that is what causes the cheese to curdle or the chocolate to get burnt.

#1 In the Double Boiler

The double boiler method is hands down the best way to reheat your leftover fondue. It provides you with enough time to control the temperature of the boiling water and the amount of time you reheat the fondue. This process requires some time and patience. Consider using another option if you are in a hurry. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Take a deep vesseled pot and fill it halfway with water.
2. Let the water come to a boil and add a glass bowl on top of the pot, ensuring that the boiling water isn’t directly touching the bottom of the glass bowl.
3. Add your leftover cheese or chocolate fondue to the glass bowl and mix it with a spatula constantly, ensuring that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the glass bowl.
4. Keep mixing and folding the fondue until it becomes liquid and achieves a smooth texture.

If you do not have a double boiler pot, you can use a deep vessel class lid pot like the Gotham Steel 5 Qrt and a 2 qt glass bowl [Pyrex is hands down my favorite]

#2 Using a Stovetop

If you have leftover cheese fondue that you want to reheat, using a stovetop is likely the best way to get around it. The steps are pretty simple and here’s what you can do:

1. Start by placing a non-stick pan on a kitchen hob over medium heat.
2. Add a knob of butter to the pan and add a dash of milk or cream then let it heat up.
3. Once the milk or cream is a little heated, add the leftover cheese fondue to the pan and keep mixing it through.
4. Make sure that you reduce the flame to low once the fondue starts boiling.
5. Don’t stop mixing the cheese fondue — doing so can overcook the cheese, leaving a gritty and lumpy texture in the fondue!
6. Once it’s done, take it off the stovetop and serve it in a ceramic bowl.

#3 Using a Microwave

Reheating a cheese fondue using a microwave is the fastest method. Be careful with this method, as overheating can cause your dip to separate, making it inedible. Although the technique is quick, check on the temperature, which is the main cause of overheating. Microwave heating is a great way to quickly reheat chocolate or cheese. However, be careful not to overheat your food because the chances of it burning are higher than when using other methods. Follow these steps:

1. Transfer your cheese or chocolate fondue into a microwave-safe bowl or container.
2. If the texture is too thick, you can add a splash of milk or cream to the fondue. 
3. Microwave the fondue in short bursts of 15 seconds in the microwave. Fold and mix it after every 15 seconds to get rid of any kinds of lumps.
4. Reheat until the texture is smooth and creamy and there are no lumps in the fondue.

The Dowan White Serving Bowl is a great microwave-safe bowl that you can use for this method

A Few Tips For Reheating Fondue

Tip: You can add some flavour by adding a spoonful of brandy such as kirsch. Heat for a few more minutes when you add this ingredient to spread it evenly. But if kids are involved, you may want to reconsider this option.

Does your cheese fondue separate every time you attempt reheating? I understand. Most people have told me about how they end with a runny ‘thing’ they cannot imagine putting in their mouths. With this information, I hope you will no longer be disappointed whenever you have cheese fondue leftovers.

Tip: If the leftover is not hygienic, i.e., contains food particles, I do not recommend storing it for later consumption. Discard it instead. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I use leftover fondue?

You can simply reheat your leftover fondue using a double boiler, a stovetop, or a microwave. In other ways, you can easily reuse the leftover fondue as a spread, on ice creams, grilled cheese, or even as a salad dressing.

Can one make fondue ahead of time?

Despite being able to make cheese and chocolate fondue one day ahead of time I wouldn’t suggest that for two reasons: First because it tastes better right away than reheated; second because who knows what might happen between now and then?

What can I use instead of Kirsch in Fondue?

As I mentioned in the beginning, fondue has some kind of liquor added to it for enhancing the taste of the dip. While adding Kirsh is the traditional route, you can also replace it with a milder white wine too.

Conclusion

Be creative with your cheese and chocolate fondue. You can not only reheat it, but also use the leftovers in multiple ways! For instance, if you’re eating more of that delicious stuff than planned just so you finish it off… don’t worry about wasting any of those tasty morsels spread throughout your home decorating scheme anymore. Just make sure to store them properly ahead of time (no one likes a soggy tablecloth) before heating up for reuse at a later date or time as I mentioned above. 😉