This Cheddar Cheese "Fun-due" Is the Ultimate After-School (and Anytime) Snack

Fondue may have peaked in popularity in the '70s, but it’s never really gone out of style. It turns out it’s also the perfect kid food. Getting your little ones to eat veggies by pairing them with melted cheese is an age-old parent trick. Create a fun grazing board with blanched veggies, apple slices, bread, and pretzels, and get dipping.

While many classic fondue recipes call for beer or wine, this one keeps it simple and kid-friendly with real milk as the liquid. Nutritious, vitamin-rich milk yields a silky, creamy dip that I feel good about feeding my kids—knowing they’re getting a good dose of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and more. Plus, we always have real milk and cheese on hand (running out of milk would constitute an emergency in my home), so I can whip up this simple after-school snack on a whim.

Simply rubbing the bowl with garlic lends a ton of subtle flavor to the fondue without an overpowering garlic taste. Gruyère is typically the cheese of choice, but any melty cheese works well. I opt for a simple cheddar to appeal to little kids' taste buds. Feel free to experiment based on the preferences of your family. But do note that while shredded cheese is a great convenience, it comes coated with powdered cellulose to prevent caking, so it may mess with the texture of your fondue.

My family first got into fondue when we were given a small set as a gift, which thrilled my four-year-old. He insists on calling it “fun-due,” and the name has stuck. I mean, dipping things is pretty fun. Gathered around our bowl of melted cheese, it’s as much a snack as it is an activity. Not to brag, but when they’re busy dipping, faces covered in cheese sauce, I even get a moment or two of silence.

Cheddar Cheese and Milk "Fun-due"

Yield: 4 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 medium clove garlic, cut in half
1 cup whole milk
12 ounces cheddar, grated (about 4 cups; 340g)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (5g)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
Kosher salt
Toasted bread, apples, and vegetables for dipping

Directions

1. Rub cut faces of garlic cloves around the inside of fondue pot, double boiler, or stainless steel mixing bowl set over a pot of simmering water (do not allow bowl to come into direct contact with water). Add whole milk and heat gently until steaming. Meanwhile, in large bowl, toss together cheese with cornstarch until evenly coated.
2. Working over low heat, add cheese one handful at a time, stirring until mostly melted before adding next handful. Continue until all cheese is melted, forming a smooth, glossy melted cheese sauce, about 10 minutes; it is very important that the fondue stay below a simmer once you start adding the cheese, or there's a risk it could break.
3. Stir in lemon juice until fully incorporated. Season with salt. If not already in fondue pot, transfer to fondue pot or slow cooker to keep it warm and melted at the table (or serve it in a regular bowl and eat fast!).
4. Serve with toasted bread cubes, apple slices, and lightly blanched vegetables for dipping. Tastes great with a glass of real milk!