Growing up, chocolate fondue was something we only had at fancy restaurants – you know, the kind with the special burners and those long metal forks. I never thought about making it at home, let alone a version that’s both gluten and dairy free. My daughter Sarah can’t have dairy, and it broke my heart seeing her watch everyone else dip strawberries into chocolate at parties.
That’s when I started experimenting in my kitchen. Turns out, making dairy-free chocolate fondue isn’t just possible – it’s actually pretty simple. With a few ingredient swaps and basic steps, you can create a smooth, rich chocolate dip that everyone can enjoy, food restrictions or not.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Fondue
- Allergy-friendly – This dairy-free and gluten-free fondue means everyone at the table can enjoy this chocolatey treat, regardless of dietary restrictions.
- Quick preparation – With just 4 basic ingredients and 15-25 minutes, you can have a fancy dessert ready for your guests or family.
- Perfect for entertaining – Fondue naturally brings people together, making it ideal for parties, date nights, or family gatherings where everyone can gather around and dip their favorite treats.
- Simple ingredients – You only need coconut cream, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt – ingredients you can easily find at most grocery stores in the regular or health food sections.
What Kind of Chocolate Chips Should I Use?
When making dairy-free fondue, choosing the right chocolate chips is key to getting that perfect, smooth dip. Several brands make dairy-free chocolate chips, with popular options including Enjoy Life, Pascha, or Trader Joe’s semi-sweet chocolate chips – just be sure to check the label to confirm they’re dairy-free. Regular semi-sweet chocolate chips often contain milk products, so you’ll want to specifically look for ones marked “dairy-free” or “vegan” on the package. For the smoothest results, pick chocolate chips that are on the smaller side since they’ll melt more evenly. If you can only find chocolate bars, that’s fine too – just chop them into small, even pieces before melting.
Options for Substitutions
This easy fondue recipe can be tweaked in several ways while keeping it allergy-friendly:
- Coconut cream: If coconut cream isn’t your thing, try using dairy-free coffee creamer or almond cooking cream. Just make sure to check the labels for allergens. Note that coconut cream gives the best texture, so other options might make the fondue slightly thinner.
- Dairy-free chocolate chips: Feel free to mix and match different types of dairy-free chocolate – dark chocolate, dairy-free milk chocolate, or even dairy-free white chocolate all work well. Just keep the total amount the same. For sugar-free options, you can use stevia-sweetened chocolate chips.
- Vanilla essence: You can skip vanilla or try other flavors like orange extract, peppermint extract, or almond extract (if nuts aren’t an issue). Start with 1 teaspoon when trying new flavors.
- Dipping treats: The options are endless here! Try banana chips, rice crackers, dried fruit, gluten-free pretzels, or dairy-free rice crispy treats. Just remember to check all labels for allergens that you need to avoid.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making dairy-free chocolate fondue is overheating the chocolate, which can cause it to become grainy and seize up – instead, heat the coconut cream first and then gradually stir in the chocolate chips off the heat, letting their residual warmth melt them smoothly. Another common error is not stirring constantly during the melting process, which can lead to uneven heating and lumpy texture – keep that spoon moving in gentle figure-eight motions until everything is perfectly smooth. If your fondue starts to thicken too much while serving, don’t add cold coconut cream to thin it out – instead, stir in a few tablespoons of warm coconut cream to maintain the ideal dipping consistency. For the best experience, make sure all your dipping items are completely dry before serving, as even a few drops of water can make the chocolate seize and become grainy.
What to Serve With Chocolate Fondue?
When it comes to chocolate fondue, it’s all about having a fun mix of dippers that everyone can enjoy! Beyond the classic strawberries and marshmallows, try setting out a colorful spread of fresh fruit like banana chunks, pineapple pieces, mandarin segments, and raspberries. For those who love a bit of crunch, offer some gluten-free pretzels, rice crispy treats, or even potato chips (trust me, the sweet-and-salty combo is amazing!). I also like to include some dried fruits like apricots or apple rings for something different, and don’t forget to cut up some gluten-free pound cake or brownies into bite-sized pieces for an extra special treat.
Storage Instructions
Keep: If you have leftover fondue (which rarely happens at my house!), pour it into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. It’ll stay good for up to 5 days. The fondue will become solid when chilled, but don’t worry – that’s totally normal!
Make Ahead: You can make this fondue a day before your party. Just store it in the fridge and when you’re ready to serve, warm it up slowly using your preferred method. It’s a real time-saver when you’re planning a get-together!
Warm Up: To bring your chilled fondue back to its smooth, dippable state, warm it up using a double boiler on low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. If it seems too thick, stir in a splash of warm coconut cream until you reach the perfect consistency.
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2500-2700
- Protein: 16-20 g
- Fat: 160-180 g
- Carbohydrates: 280-300 g
Ingredients
- 1 can coconut cream (14 ounces)
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (20 ounces, dairy-free and gluten-free)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla essence (gluten-free)
- A pinch of salt
- Dipping treats: strawberries, marshmallows, fruits, and chunks of gluten-free cake or cookies
Step 1: Heat the Coconut Cream
In a medium saucepan or stovetop-safe fondue pot, begin by heating the coconut cream over medium heat.
Allow it to become hot but avoid bringing it to a boil to prevent scorching.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Chips
Once the coconut cream is hot, add chocolate chips to the pot.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
Stir the mixture frequently to ensure even melting until the chocolate is completely smooth and fully melted.
Step 3: Transfer and Serve
If using a separate fondue pot for serving, transfer the melted chocolate mixture to the fondue pot at this point.
Keep the fondue warm for serving.
Pair your warm, dairy-free chocolate fondue with your favorite dippers such as fruits, marshmallows, or pieces of cake for an enjoyable experience.