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Say hello to this amazing vegan cheese fondue! It's made using fermented cashew cream, giving it that classic taste you love. This recipe serves 4 people, is made within 2 days and uses only easy-to-find ingredients. And guess what? It's super simple to make! So whether you're vegan or just looking for a tasty twist on a traditional favorite, this vegan fondue is sure to hit the spot.
Enjoy a cozy feast with my vegan cheese fondue! It's just perfect with some homemade sourdough bread. Want to bake it yourself? Check out my simple sourdough bread recipe! And if you're a fan of comfort food, you've gotta try this delicious Vegan Potato Gratin or this tasty Vegan Potato Tart with sour cream. They're sure to make your taste buds dance with joy!
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⭐ Why I love this recipe
I absolutely adore this vegan fondue! Not only does it capture the familiar taste of the traditional version, but it's also remarkably easy to prepare. Whether it's a special occasion worth celebrating or just a casual gathering with friends over for dinner, this fondue always steals the show. Its simplicity makes it a lifesaver when time is short or when I want to impress my guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
There's something truly magical about the experience of enjoying this fondue with loved ones. It creates the perfect ambiance for a dinner, where conversations flow freely and laughter fills the air. It's more than just a meal; it's a celebration of life, food, and the joy of sharing good times with the people we care about most.
🧾 Ingredients
These are the key ingredients for my vegan cheese fondue. Whether beginner or pro, knowing these ingredients will help you create a tasty fondue. Let's dive in and discover the secrets to this recipe!
- Cashews: I choose cashews as the main ingredient for my fondue base because they create the perfect creamy texture. They have a mild taste and blend easily, resulting in a deliciously smooth cream.
- Probiotic cultures: I incorporate probiotic cultures to ferment the cashew cream, introducing a delightful tart note to the fondue. This fermentation process not only enhances the flavor but also adds a unique depth to the fondue, elevating its overall taste profile. Probiotic cultures are available in capsule form at pharmacies. Simply open the capsules and add the powder to the cashew-cream to start the fermentation process. When you buy them make sure that they are vegan. If you go to a pharmacy ask for probiotics to make vegan yogurt, they'll give you exactly what you need to make this fondue.
- Nutritional yeast: I use it to infuse the cashew cream with a cheesy and delicious flavor. This versatile ingredient adds a savory depth reminiscent of traditional cheese, enhancing the overall richness and satisfaction of the fondue experience.
- Tapioca starch: I use it to achieve that crucial stretchy texture of traditional cheese. It's readily available at Asian stores.
Substitutes
While it's essential to follow the recipe for optimal results, some ingredients can be substituted based on personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Here are the ingredients that you can swap and how to do it:
- Probiotic cultures: Instead of probiotic cultures, use 2 tablespoons of sauerkraut water, unpasteurised kombucha brine, kimchi juice, water kefir or unsweetened vegan yogurt. These alternatives offer similar fermentation properties, allowing you to achieve the desired tartness.
- Tapioca starch: you can also use the same amount of corn starch. The consistency won't be stretchy and cheesy, but the taste will be just as delicious.
🥄 Equipment
To whip up this vegan cheese fondue, all you need is a high-speed blender and a caquelon. These two pieces of equipment are essential for achieving the perfect creamy consistency and for serving your fondue in style.
🥣 How to make
Below, I've laid out a comprehensive guide with timing and detailed step-by-step instructions, to help you make this mouthwatering vegan fondue.
Timing
For the preparation of this recipe we need two days. On the first day, we make the cashew-cream cheese. On the second day, we make the fondue. I suggest that you follow this schedule:
- Day 1, 8:00 a.m.: Make the cashew cream cheese and let it ferment for 24-36 hours.
- Day 2, after 12:00 a.m.: Make the fondue.
Prep
Step 1: In a strong blender, blend cashews together with nutritional yeast, water and salt until perfectly smooth.
Then add probiotic cultures and mix shortly.
Step 2: Place mixture in a clean glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to ferment at room temperature for 24-36 hours. The cream is ready when it has filled with bubbles and you like the flavor. The longer it ferments the tarter the taste will be.
Step 3: The next day, boil the potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes. Then rinse and put into a blender along with the remaining ingredients and the fermented cashew cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Pour the mixture into a caquelon and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat.
Season the fondue with salt and pepper and serve immediately with bread.
👨🏻🍳 Expert tip
The secret to mastering this vegan fondue lies in perfecting the cashew cheese base. I always aim for a delightful tartness, as it not only enriches the flavor but also imparts a wonderfully cheesy essence to the fondue. Achieving this balance is key to crafting a fondue that's both savory and satisfying. Experiment with fermentation to achieve the desired tanginess.
Furthermore, don't hesitate to customize the flavor profile to suit your taste. While I personally enjoy the addition of 3-4 cloves of garlic and a dash of paprika for added depth and complexity, feel free to explore a variety of spices and herbs. Whether you opt for herbs like thyme and rosemary or prefer a hint of spice with chili flakes or cayenne pepper, the possibilities are endless. Embrace creativity in your seasoning choices.
💭 Cooking tip
When cooking the fondue, it's crucial to maintain a gentle simmer and stir continuously over low heat. This ensures that the fondue cooks evenly without forming a burnt layer on the bottom of the caquelon. Consistent stirring prevents the mixture from sticking and ensures a smooth, velvety texture throughout.
If your fondue turns out too thin, you can easily thicken it by adding 1 teaspoon of corn starch diluted in a splash of soy milk. Just pour this mixture into the fondue while stirring continuously. This will help achieve the desired consistency without affecting the taste.
🥑 Variations
The world of fondue offers endless delicious variations to explore. Here are some of my personal favorites:
- Truffle fondue: Add 2 tablespoons of truffle oil to the fondue.
- Herbs fondue: Add 2-3 tablespoons of finely chopped herbs like sage, chives, rosemary or thyme to the fondue.
- Porcini fondue: Soak 80 g of porcini mushrooms for 10 minutes, then chop them finely and add them to the fondue.
- Chili fondue: Add 1 tablespoon of chili paste to the fondue.
- Beer fondue: Replace the white wine with light beer.
🥗 What to serve with
Fondue is incredibly versatile and can be paired with a variety of side dishes. The traditional Swiss version is typically served with cubes of white bread.
In addition to bread, I enjoy serving fondue with diced boiled potatoes, cornichons, and boiled vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower. For a sweet contrast, some also like to include fruits such as apples, pears, or pineapple.
These are just a few ideas for side dishes to accompany your fondue. If you're looking for more inspiration, feel free to check out this list of things to dunk and dip in cheese.
❄️ Storage
Never waste leftover fondue! Simply transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. When you're ready to enjoy it again, add a splash of soy milk and gently reheat it in a pan over low heat for a couple of minutes. Serve it as a luscious topping for baked vegetables for a deliciously satisfying meal!
📔 FAQ
The probiotics used for this fondue are the same used to make vegan yogurt. You can find them in any pharmacy. You can use any of the following cultures: streptococcus thermophilus, lactobacillus bulgaricus, lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus lactis.
You can use either vegan probiotic cultures or substitute it with 2 tablespoons of sauerkraut water, unpasteurised kombucha brine, kimchi juice, water kefir or unsweetened vegan yogurt.
🎥 Video
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cheese Fondue
Equipment
- high-speed blender
- Caquelon
Ingredients
- 250 g cashews raw
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 130 ml water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon probiotic cultures
- 400 g potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
- 400 g soy milk
- 2 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 200 ml white wine
- 4 cloves of garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
- 800 g bread cut into cubes
Instructions
- In a strong blender, blend cashews together with nutritional yeast, water and salt until perfectly smooth. Allow the mixture to cool briefly, then add probiotic cultures and mix shortly. Place the mixture in a clean glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to ferment at room temperature for 24-36 hours until bubbly and tart.
- Boil potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse and put into a blender along with the remaining ingredients and the fermented cashew cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into a caquelon and, stirring constantly, bring to a boil over low heat. Season the fondue with salt and pepper and serve immediately with bread cubes or other desired side dishes.
Miss Shelley Jane Tod says
Hi, Can leftovers be frozen and defrosted?
carlocao says
Hi there, I think this would not be a problem. X, Carlo
Debbie says
Hi Carlo, I was just wondering if you really have to add the nutritional yeast twice: on the first day and second day? It's twice on the ingredients list but I couldn't find it in the instructions and want to make sure I don't make a mistake 🙈
carlocao says
Hi Debbie, I just corrected the recipe. You only need 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast. X Carlo
Allaya says
Hi! I'm trying this now, but I also have a probiotic issue. I have no idea how strong the probiotics your have are! Mine have about 57+ billion CFU. A teaspoon of this would be quite a bit. How much is yours, so that I can figure this out?
carlocao says
Hi Allaya, I'd go with 1 tsp (levelled), the more you use the quicker the cheese will ferment. So don't worry too much 🙂 just taste the cheese every now and then and use it when it's perfectly sour. Best, Carlo
Pat says
Where does one buy the probiotic cultures and what are they called?
carlocao says
Hi Pat, in Switzerland where I'm based we buy them in health stores of pharmacies. They are the same bacteria you use to make yogurt. I hope this helps. Best, Carlo