Babybel Cheese vs Fontina Cheese
Babybel Cheese
Fontina Cheese
Babybel Cheese is a semi-hard cow-milk cheese from France, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
Buy Babybel Cheese
Buy Fontina Cheese
What Is Babybel Cheese?
Mini Babybel is a small Edam-style snack cheese from Le Groupe Bel of France, sold as individually waxed wheels in a netted bag. It is made with pasteurised milk and vegetarian rennet, and it is naturally lactose-free.
What Is Fontina Cheese?
Fontina is a cow's milk cheese from Italy's Aosta Valley, made there since the 12th century. It runs semisoft to hard, tastes creamy and nutty with earthy, mushroomy notes, and melts well enough to carry a fondue.
What's the Difference Between Babybel Cheese and Fontina Cheese?
- Origin: Babybel Cheese (France), Fontina Cheese (Italy)
- Milk treatment: Babybel Cheese (pasteurized), Fontina Cheese (Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions))
- Texture: Babybel Cheese (Semi-hard), Fontina Cheese (Semi-soft)
- Rind: Babybel Cheese (waxed), Fontina Cheese (Natural, Often Washed)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Babybel Cheese | Fontina Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | France | Italy |
| Specific Origin | France | Aosta Valley, Italy |
| Milk Type | Cow's milk | Cow's milk |
| Milk Treatment | Pasteurized | Raw (for traditional Italian Fontina), Pasteurized (for most American versions) |
| Texture | Semi-hard | Semi-soft |
| Rind | Waxed | Natural, Often Washed |
| Aging | — | Typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor) |
| Taste | — | Mild, Buttery, Nutty |
Taste Comparison: Does Babybel Cheese Taste Like Fontina Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Babybel Cheese for Fontina Cheese?
In most recipes, Babybel Cheese and Fontina Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect semi-hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-soft.
Which Is Better, Babybel Cheese or Fontina Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a semi-hard cheese, go with Babybel Cheese. For a semi-soft profile, Fontina Cheese is the better fit.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Babybel Cheese the same as Fontina Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Babybel Cheese originates in France, while Fontina Cheese comes from Italy.
Is Babybel Cheese similar to Fontina Cheese?
Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.
Can I substitute Babybel Cheese for Fontina Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.
Does Babybel Cheese taste like Fontina Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Babybel Cheese made of?
Babybel Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using vegetable rennet. It originates in France.
What is Fontina Cheese made of?
Fontina Cheese is made from cow milk (raw (for traditional italian fontina), pasteurized (for most american versions)), using traditional (animal) or microbial (varies by producer) rennet. It's typically aged typically 2-3 months (can be aged longer for stronger flavor). It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Babybel Cheese or Fontina Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Babybel Cheese is semi-hard, while Fontina Cheese is semi-soft.