Fondue recipes for kids

Four rules for fondue

Before you start cooking fondue with your kids, be sure to explain the rules that are going to keep them safe and burn-free.

1. Keep fingers, hands and clothing away from the heat. If you are using a fondue pot that has an open heating element or flame, instruct your kids to avoid it and explain the dangers of high heat.

2. Use a small slowcooker. A safer alternative to a fondue pot is a slowcooker. The heating element is encased and can be adjusted down to low.

3. Properly spear and twist. Half the fun of fondue is spearing various cubes of food for dipping. Show your kids how to use a fondue skewer, wood skewer or long fork to spear, dip, and then twirl food to let the excess fondue drip off.

4. No double dipping. To keep fondue germ-free, instruct your kids to dip once and pull food off without letting their teeth or lips touch the skewer or fork.

Cheese fondue

Cheese fondue is a savory dish that lends itself to bread, pasta, vegetables, fruit and cooked meats. Fixing fondue may be the easiest, sneakiest strategy to get your kids to eat their whole grains and veggies.

Kid-friendly dippers:

• Cubes of French bread or another bread of your choice
• Cooked tortellini (drain and pat dry after cooking)
• Blanched carrots or parsnips, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Blanched cauliflower and broccoli florets
• Cherry tomatoes
• Radishes
• Cubes of cooked sausage, ham, chicken or beef

Fast and Easy Cheese Fondue

Serves 6

If you've never made fondue before or if this is a first attempt for your kids, using Velveeta is a fast no-fail way to create a yummy cheese dip that can also be tossed with pasta for a quick kid-friendly mac and cheese. You can also melt this fondue in a microwave-safe bowl.

Ingredients:

8 ounces Velveeta

2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Directions:

Place ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until melted and smooth. Transfer to a fondue pot or slowcooker. Have your kids gather round and serve with a variety of dippers.

Chocolate fondue

A heavenly dessert that is loved by adults and kids alike, chocolate fondue is a silky smooth dip for fruit, bites of cake, and other sweet treats.

Kid-friendly dippers:

• Cubes of pound cake or sponge cake
• Brownie bites
• Strawberries
• Thick banana slices
• Pitted cherries
• Peach, nectarine, plum, apple and pear, cut into bite-sized cubes
• Jumbo marshmallows

Basic Chocolate Fondue

Serves 6

For a tasty change, add a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract or grated lemon, lime or orange zest to the chocolate after it's melted.

Ingredients:

8 ounces semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped

1/3 cup half and half

Directions:

In a double boiler or heat-safe bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt chocolate with half and half, stirring, until smooth. Transfer to a fondue pot or slowcooker and serve with dippers.

FOR MORE SHEKNOWS RECIPES:

Cheesy pizza fondue

Mac and cheese recipes

Quick desserts