Forget the fondue forks, this one is all about the chips.
Fondue Chips pair golden McCain Home Chips with a warm, gooey baked Camembert that's made for dipping. Arrange the chips, crunchy carrot, celery and cucumber into a festive Chipmas wreath around the cheese, and finish the Camembert with a little cranberry sauce for a festive twist.
Made for everyone to gather around and get stuck into, it's an easy Christmas sharing platter for a Chipmas party, festive drinks or a cosy night in.
Grab a chip, dunk it into that melted Camembert and repeat.
Preheat the oven and cook the McCain Home Chips according to the pack instructions until golden and crispy.
You may need to spread the chips across two baking trays to give them plenty of room to cook evenly.
Bake the Camembert
Remove all plastic and other non-oven-safe packaging from the Camembert.
Check the pack instructions to confirm whether the cheese and its box are suitable for oven baking, then prepare and bake according to the manufacturer's instructions until the centre is warm, soft and gooey.
Prepare the crudités
While everything is cooking, cut the cucumber, celery and carrot into strips that are easy to pick up and dip.
Build your Fondue Chips wreath
Place the warm Camembert in the centre of a large round serving board or platter.
Arrange the crispy McCain Home Chips around the Camembert in a festive Chipmas wreath, then tuck the carrot, celery and cucumber crudités between the chips.
Add a festive finish
Spoon a little cranberry sauce over the warm Camembert for a sweet, tangy contrast to the rich cheese.
If it matches the final creative, add a little fresh rosemary around the wreath for an extra festive touch.
Bring your Fondue Chips wreath straight to the table, with that warm, gooey Camembert in the centre ready for everyone to grab, dunk and share.
Recipe tips
Serve everything straight away. You want the chips hot and crispy and the cheese warm and gooey, so assemble the platter just before everyone is ready to eat.
Don't overcrowd your chips. Use two trays if necessary to help them cook evenly and crisp up.
Check your Camembert packaging.Not every wooden box or cheese is intended to go directly into the oven, so always follow the instructions on the pack you're using.
Cut your crudités for dipping. Long, sturdy pieces of carrot, cucumber and celery are much easier to dunk into the cheese.
Don't overdo the cranberry. A little goes a long way – you want it to complement the Camembert rather than overpower it.
Variations
Why Chips and Camembert Are Made for Dipping
There's a reason melted cheese and crispy potatoes are such a good combination.
The golden chips give you the crunch, while warm Camembert brings the creamy, gooey centre. Cranberry sauce cuts through the richness with a little sweetness, while the fresh crudités add crunch and make the platter feel like a proper festive spread.
And unlike a traditional cheese fondue, you don't need any fondue equipment, just put the platter in the middle of the table and start dipping.
Build Your Own Festive Fondue Platter
The best bit about a sharing platter is making it your own. Arrange your McCain Home chips and favourite festive extras around the board in a Chipmas wreath, with the warm Camembert in the centre ready for dipping.
Make your wreath even more festive with apple or pear slices, which pair perfectly with Camembert, or add roasted Brussels sprouts left over from Christmas dinner.
For an extra savoury bite, roasted mushrooms work brilliantly with the melted cheese too.
Can You Make Fondue Chips Vegan?
You can create a plant-based version by replacing the Camembert with a bakeable vegan cheese or warm plant-based cheese dip.
Keep the crispy chips and crudités, then add substantial dippers such as roasted mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, crusty bread and roasted vegetables. Finish with cranberry sauce for the same sweet and savoury festive combination.
Check the labels of your chosen cheese, bread, sauces and other ingredients to make sure they're suitable for vegans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Fondue Chips?
A:
Fondue Chips are crispy chips served with warm, melted cheese for dipping. This festive version pairs McCain Home Chips with baked Camembert, cranberry sauce, crispy kale and fresh crudités, all arranged into a Chipmas wreath for sharing.
What can I dip into baked Camembert?
A:
Crispy chips are perfect for dipping into Camembert, alongside crusty bread and vegetables such as carrots and celery. Apple, pear, roasted mushrooms and Brussels sprouts also pair brilliantly with the cheese.
What cheese is best for Fondue Chips?
A:
A bakeable Camembert gives you a soft, gooey centre that's ideal for dipping. Always follow the cooking instructions on the cheese you choose.
Is Camembert vegetarian?
A:
Not always. Some cheeses are produced using animal rennet, so if you're making vegetarian Fondue Chips, choose a Camembert that's specifically labelled suitable for vegetarians.
Can I make vegan Fondue Chips?
A:
Yes. Replace the Camembert with a bakeable vegan cheese or warm plant-based cheese dip and check the remaining ingredients are suitable for vegans.
Are Fondue Chips good for a Christmas party?
A:
Absolutely. They're designed as a festive sharing dish, with gooey Camembert in the centre and McCain Home Chips and vegetables arranged around it in a Christmas wreath ready for everyone to dip into.
Can I make Fondue Chips with a fondue set?
A:
Yes. If you have a fondue set, use it to keep the cheese warm and gooey while everyone dips. Prepare the cheese according to the instructions for your fondue set, then serve with McCain Home Chips, crunchy cruditésand your favourite festive dippers.
Try adding crusty bread, roasted mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, apple or pear slices for even more dipping options. Serve the cranberry sauce on the side or add a little to the cheese for a festive twist.
