Description

Creamy and indulgent, Crockpot Fondue Mashed Potatoes combine tender potatoes with luscious melted gruyere and raclette cheeses, infused with garlic and fresh herbs. This comforting side dish is perfect for cozy dinners and can be prepared easily in a crockpot or on the stovetop, delivering rich, flavorful mashed potatoes with a smooth, cheesy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Potatoes and Liquid

3 pounds potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 cups apple cider or white wine

Flavorings

2 cloves garlic, grated
2 teaspoons salt
Black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh thyme or chopped sage leaves

Dairy and Cheese

6 tablespoons salted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded raclette cheese

Instructions

Cook potatoes: In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the peeled and quartered potatoes, apple cider or white wine, grated garlic, and salt. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours until the potatoes are fork tender. Alternatively, on the stovetop, combine potatoes, 2 cups of wine, 4 cups of water, garlic, and salt in a large dutch oven and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.
Drain and dry potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and return them to the crockpot or the pot on the stovetop. Let them sit uncovered for 10 minutes to allow excess moisture to evaporate, resulting in drier, fluffier mashed potatoes.
Mash and add cream and butter: Mash the potatoes with a masher to your desired consistency. Stir in the salted butter and heavy cream, adding more cream if needed to reach a smooth, creamy texture. Season the mashed potatoes with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Add cheeses and melt: Mix in the shredded gruyere and raclette cheeses thoroughly. Cover and cook in the crockpot on low for another 15 minutes, or on the stovetop over low heat for up to 30 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and create a rich, creamy fondue effect.
Serve and garnish: Keep the mashed potatoes covered and warm until ready to serve (up to 4 hours in crockpot or 30 minutes on stovetop). Top with fresh thyme leaves or fried sage for a fragrant, herbal finish before serving.

Notes

Using apple cider or white wine adds a subtle sweetness and acidity that enhances the flavor complexity.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and cream with vegan alternatives and omit the cheese or use plant-based cheese.
If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more heavy cream gradually while mashing.
This dish can be kept warm in the crockpot on the ‘warm’ setting for several hours, making it ideal for entertaining.
Fresh herbs like thyme or sage add a lovely aroma and fresh flavor; feel free to experiment with rosemary or chives.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours (crockpot high) or 25 minutes (stovetop)
Category: Side Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: French-Inspired

Keywords: fondue mashed potatoes, crockpot mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed potatoes, gruyere cheese, raclette cheese, comfort food, slow cooker side dish