Grab a friend and settle in with this simple + delicious Easy Cheese Dip. It’s ooey, gooey, and oh so melty cheese with sweet sauteed apples and crisp pecans overtop. The flavors of sweet and salty pair very well and the grand cru cheese gives such a lovely nutty flavor to the dish. I can’t get enough of it!
This cheese dipping sauce is perfect for a cozy night in with crackers and perhaps a glass of wine (or kombucha!) + your current favorite show. I mean what could be better than that?! Plus it makes for a great snack, appetizer, or even side dish as this recipe serves two people and is made with only eight simple ingredients.
For more snacks and appetizer ideas, be sure to check out my Veggie Walnut Sausage Patties board full of fun food options. Or for the perfect soup pairing and sandwich bread, my Easy Herb Quick Bread Recipe is a definite must.
Ingredients
Cheese – I used a specific Grand Cru cheese from Roth Cheese for this dip because of how well it melts. Plus I love the flavor of their grand cru, it’s slightly nutty with the perfect bite to it.
Cornstarch – Is needed to coat the cheese so that it thickens as it melts. It also helps ensure the dip stays cohesive and melts perfectly!
Lemon Juice – The perfect touch of acidity to balance out the cheese flavor.
Water – Helps to thin out the melting cheese so that it does not clump or burn.
Apple – Any apple variety will work for this recipe. I do suggest the saute step though as the warm, soft apples pair much better with this cheese dip than fresh.
Pecans – I prefer using raw pecans because they will soften as you saute them and they end up getting roasted when you broil the cheese.
Olive Oil – Adds a depth of flavor to sauteed apples and pecans.
Maple Syrup – Gives a touch of sweetness to the apple and pecan mix to counteract the nutty, salty flavor of the cheese dip.
How to Make Easy Cheese Dip
- Sauté olive oil, apples, pecans and maple syrup in a small frypan until sizzling. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine grated cheese and cornstarch until cheese is well coated.
- In a small saucepan, bring water and lemon juice to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add cheese mixture while stirring constantly with a fork. Continue to stir until all cheese is melted. The mixture should be bubbly and smooth.
- Pour cheese mixture into a mini individual cast iron skillet and broil until the top is browned, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with apple/pecan mixture. Broil again until apple mixture starts to sizzle. Remove and serve immediately with your choice of crackers, chips, or bread.
How to Make Cheese Fondue
This easy cheese dip is practically a cheese fondue recipe without the wine! And while a cheese fondue may seem intimidating, it’s actually quite easy. There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind though for the best melty texture.
The first is to grate your cheese versus cutting it. If you want a smooth and easy melt then you need to have the fine shreds of grated cheese. You can do this the old fashioned way by hand with a box grater OR more new age with the grating feature on a food processor. Either way you do it will work and create fine shreds for melting!
The second tip is all about the cornstarch. I’m sure you may have been confused to see cornstarch as one of the ingredients but it does serve a purpose. By thoroughly coating the cheese in cornstarch, it’s going to help the cheese melt without clumping. So say goodbye to lumpy, melty cheese because cornstarch will save the day! Plus it helps to thicken the cheese just as with any other sauce recipe.
Best Cheese for Fondue
Now that you know the tips and tricks to a great melty fondue, the next step is selecting your cheese. The key to any great cheese dip or fondue is high quality cheese which may cost more up front but truly makes a difference in flavor and melting texture.
I used a specific grand cru cheese because it melts very smooth and creamy, creating the ultimate cheese dip. Other cheeses that would work for this include swiss, gruyere, gouda, or even a blend of cheeses with something like a cheddar. No matter what you use, try to get high quality and look for cheeses that melt well!
What to Serve with Cheese Dip
The best part of any dip is the food vehicle for the aforementioned dip. It’s fun to try different textures and flavors for dipping foods and you’d be surprised with what fun combinations actually taste amazing.
And while crackers and chips are the cliche (albeit very tasty) dipping foods that we all know, I want to share some new ideas with you!
- Toasted bread – cut a piece of bread into slices and toast in the oven, for “breadsticks”, or simply toast a piece of bread and dip it as is.
- Pretzels – Dip with the small pretzel sticks, the large sourdough pretzels, or even the big soft pretzels. Any form of pretzel + cheese is bound to be delicious.
- Roasted Broccoli or Cauliflower – I love roasting big pieces of broccoli or cauliflower with some nutritional yeast + buffalo sauce for extra flavor. And then dipping them in melty cheese is a whole new experience.
- Potato Wedges – These are so simple yet tasty, simply roast potato wedges with oil + seasoning and then head straight for the cheese dip. If you’re a fan of the potato and cheese combo then you should also check out my Easy Au Gratin Potatoes.
- Apple Slices – If you do decide to not saute the apples then I’d still suggest dipping fresh slices of apple into this healthy cheese dip. The contrast between sweet and salty, fresh apple and melty cheese is truly drool worthy!
How to Store Cheese Fondue
This recipe for two shouldn’t leave you with leftovers but if that were to happen, no worries. While it may not heat up quite as well as fresh, cheese fondue can be stored in the fridge and reheated again. For this cheese dip in particular, I’d suggest reheating it on the stovetop with a touch of water and cornstarch to help the cheese melt smoothly again. Once warm and all melty again, dig in!
For more delicious and cheesy eats be sure to check out these blog favorites. Vegetarian French Onion Soup with broiled cheese overtop, this healthy twist on a classic will have you coming back for seconds! And this Healthy Eggplant Parmesan with fresh mozzarella cheese melted overtop saucy and soft baked eggplant is cozy comfort food made with better-for-you ingredients.
If you try this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment and rating in the boxes below! I always love to hear from you and it helps other people find this recipe when they search online for the BEST Easy Cheese Dip 🙂
Ingredients
- 1 6oz wedge grand cru cheese, shredded (approximately 2 cups shredded)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup diced apples
- 1/3 cup raw pecans roughly chopped
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Sauté olive oil, apples, pecans and maple syrup in a small frypan until sizzling. Set aside.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine grated cheese and cornstarch until cheese is well coated.
- In a small saucepan, bring water and lemon juice to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add cheese mixture while stirring constantly with a fork. Continue to stir until all cheese is melted. The mixture should be bubbly and smooth.
- Pour cheese mixture into a mini individual cast iron skillet and broil until the top is browned, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top with apple/pecan mixture. Broil again until apple mixture starts to sizzle. Remove and serve immediately with your choice of crackers, chips, or bread.
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Oh my I couldn’t stop eating this, so yummy!
Same thing happened when we made this one LOL!! So glad you loved it, Leslie!
– Casey