Easy French Cheese Spread
This easy fromage fort recipe transforms leftover cheese into a creamy French cheese spread that’s perfect for crackers, bread, and vegetables. A simple appetizer ready in minutes.
Have a few odds and ends of cheese sitting in your refrigerator? Don’t throw them away! Turn them into one of France’s best-kept kitchen secrets.
Fromage fort (pronounced fro-MAHZH for) is a simple French cheese spread traditionally made from leftover bits of cheese. Instead of letting small pieces go to waste, French home cooks blend them together with garlic and a splash of liquid to create a creamy, flavorful spread that’s perfect for crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables.
It’s one of my favorite recipes because it teaches an important lesson: some of the world’s best recipes were created by making the most of what you already have.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A delicious way to use leftover cheese instead of letting it go to waste.
- Ready in just a few minutes with only a handful of ingredients.
- A fun introduction to French cooking that’s easy enough for kids to help make.
What do you need to make this French cheese dip?
- Garlic – I recommend 3 cloves, peeled. You really do want to use fresh garlic here, not dried garlic powder.
- Chicken broth – You can also use vegetable broth or a nice dry white wine.
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Cheese! In all, you need 16 ounces of cheese, but you can mix and match what kind of cheese you used based on what you have on hand.
You also need a good food processor!
What kind of cheese do you use in Fromage fort?
This leftover cheese recipes uses a variety of hard and soft cheeses to create a unique and custom cheese dip that will always be amazing.
- Hard cheeses to use- sharp cheddar, parmesan, romano, swiss, or colby are all great.
- Soft cheeses to use – aged gouda, goat cheese, cream cheese, brie, gruyere, provolone, fontina, mozzarella, havarti, and camembert are all excellent choices.
*Note: Do stay away from heavily herbed cheese, blue cheese, or fruited cheeses, as these will change the flavor too drastically.
How kids can help
This is a fantastic recipe for getting kids involved because there are no complicated cooking techniques, just tasting, experimenting, and blending.
Kids can:
- Choose which cheeses to include.
- Cut cheese into smaller pieces (with age-appropriate supervision).
- Peel the garlic.
- Measure the broth.
- Help operate the food processor with an adult.
- Taste and decide if they’d like another crack of pepper or another splash of broth.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to talk about reducing food waste. Ask your kids:
- Why do you think people invented this recipe?
- How many different cheeses can you identify by taste?
- Which combination would you make next time?
Recipes like this help children see that creativity in the kitchen often starts with using what you already have.
Serving information
Serve with baguette, sourdough crackers, or fresh veggies. It is also great when broiled on a piece of bread!
Storage information
Store your fromage fort in the fridge, tightly covered, for 3-5 days. The flavors will continue to develop, so it will get more flavorful and bold during that time.
Discover your next culinary adventure
If you enjoyed exploring this classic French recipe, here are a few more globally inspired appetizers to try:
- French Radishes with Butter and Salt – A simple French snack that lets fresh ingredients shine.
- Homemade Guacamole – A creamy Mexican favorite that’s easy to customize as a family.
- Fresh Mango Salsa – Bright, colorful, and perfect for practicing knife skills while exploring tropical flavors.
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Easy French Cheese Spread
Ingredients
Method
- Chop cheeses into smallish pieces, removing any rind or bits of mold.
- Place the cheese, peeled garlic, pepper, and wine/broth into the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture is soft and creamy, but not totally smooth.
- Place in a serving bowl.
- Either serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve with sliced baguette, crackers, or vegetables.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and substitutions. For specific dietary needs, we recommend calculating nutrition using your preferred tool.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe is slightly adapted from Jacques Pepin.
Garlic and cheese and bread? Ummm….. yes, please! 🙂 Love this recipe!
Oh wow, this sounds delicious, and I LOVE how easy it is! Especially when tis the season for last minute guests 🙂 Will be adding this to my must try list!
Loving how easy and delicious this looks!
Cheese is involved? Count me in! Looks great!
WOW, this dip sounds absolutely fantastic…! I can’t wait to dive into the recipe.
Mmmm, cheese! This sounds like a great idea for a New Year’s Eve party!
Perfect appetizer for holiday parties.
This is my favorite thing ever! Do you have a favorite type of cheese to mix together for this recipe???
I’m such a cheeseaholic! I’ll try this lovely garlicky recipe of your for sure!
Yes!!! I was looking for a great dip for my Holiday party. Thanks for sharing 🙂
What an easy recipe! Such a tasty dip, and I can’t wait to make it!
Love an easy cheese dip! It sounds perfect with the 3 cheese blend from Stella Cheese. Such a wonderful appetizer for the holiday season.
Cheese dips are some of my FAVORITES! I could easily eat this entire bowl. Sounds so good.
Love easy cheese dips. Quick to make…and party perfect. This sounds delicious.
Sounds like an awesome quick recipe! And who doesn’t love anything involving cheese?! Thanks for the recipe!
Great photography!
Yummmm! Looks amazing! Will definitely have to make this for the next gathering.
Love to see Italian cooking around the world! Special appetizer!
Wish you a wonderful week!
Gloria & Emanuele (Warm Cocotte Team)
I love an easy appetizer, especially this time of year!
I do like the simplicity of this recipe. It is easy, just what you need when you are busy and getting ready for some entertaining.
That’s a dip we would make for new year and there is always wine with that. Gorgeous dip, thanks for reminding me of this 🙂
2 mintues and 4 ingredients?? Amazing, no excuse not to make it!
Wow. I guess that is easy. I never thought of using chicken stock to help produce a cheese dip before! Cool.
This sounds heavenly! Cheese is my weakness and favourite thing ever so this is right up my street. Can’t wait to try it!
That’s really different from the cheese spreads we’re used to making here in Greece. We bet it’ll taste amazing with a white Santorini wine;) Thank you for the delicious recipe and the innovative technique! Great work Jenni!
Mirella and Panos