Description
Experience the ultimate melted cheese delight with this Warm Garlic Herb Fontina Dip. Creamy Italian Fontina cheese is infused with aromatic garlic, fresh thyme and rosemary, and a hint of red pepper flakes and lemon zest, then baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for serving with warm toasted baguette slices, this dip is a crowd-pleaser for parties or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 3 lbs Italian Fontina Val d’Aosta, rind removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
Herb Garlic Oil
- 1/2 cup good olive oil
- 12 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, minced
- 2 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Seasoning
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Serving
- 2 crusty French baguettes, sliced and toasted or warmed
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the cheese dip.
- Arrange Cheese: Place the cubed Fontina cheese evenly in a shallow ovenproof dish or cast iron skillet to ensure even melting.
- Make Herb Garlic Oil: In a saucepan over low heat, combine olive oil, thinly sliced garlic, minced thyme and rosemary, optional red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Warm gently for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, making sure the garlic does not brown.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the warmed herb-garlic oil over the cubed cheese. Sprinkle evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season.
- Bake and Broil: Bake the dish for 6–8 minutes until the Fontina is melted and bubbling. Then switch the oven to broil and broil for 1–2 minutes to lightly brown the top while watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve Warm: Serve the dip immediately with warm toasted or warmed baguette slices, perfect for dipping into this luscious, cheesy spread.
Notes
- Use good quality Fontina Val d’Aosta for authentic flavor and smooth melting.
- Keep the heat low while warming the garlic oil to avoid burning the garlic and creating bitterness.
- The optional red pepper flakes add a subtle heat that complements the creamy cheese well.
- Lemon zest brightens the richness of the cheese if included.
- Serve immediately for the best melty texture; reheating is not recommended as it may alter the cheese consistency.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the baguette with gluten-free bread or crackers.
