Description

This Melty Chilli Cheese & Thyme Fondue Dip is a luscious, flavorful blend of brie, soft cheese, gruyère, and parmesan with a spicy kick from chilli flakes and a fragrant note of thyme. Layered over sweet chilli jam and baked until bubbling and golden, it makes for an irresistible appetizer perfect for sharing with crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

200g brie, roughly chopped
100g soft cheese
100g gruyère, rind removed, chopped into small chunks
2 tbsp grated parmesan (divided use)
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp cornflour
A few thyme sprigs, leaves picked (plus extra for sprinkling)
Pinch of chilli flakes (plus extra for sprinkling)

Other

100g sweet chilli jam
Crusty bread, to serve

Instructions

Prepare the cheese mixture: Put the brie, soft cheese, gruyère, half the grated parmesan, the milk, and cornflour into a food processor. Blitz until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Then stir in the picked thyme leaves and a pinch of chilli flakes to infuse the flavors evenly.
Assemble the dip: Spread the sweet chilli jam evenly over the base of a baking dish approximately 15 x 12 cm. Pour the cheese mixture over the jam layer, spreading it out smoothly. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan on top along with a little more thyme and chilli flakes for garnish.
Chill (optional): Cover the baking dish and refrigerate if needed; the dip can be kept chilled for up to three days before baking.
Bake the dip: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas mark 3). Place the baking dish on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes until the dip is bubbling and hot throughout.
Finish under the grill: Switch your oven to grill on medium-high. Grill the fondue dip for 2 to 3 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
Rest and serve: Allow the fondue to rest for 5 minutes after grilling to set slightly. Serve warm with crusty bread for dipping and enjoy the melted, spicy, and thyme-infused cheese delight.

Notes

For a milder version, reduce or omit the chilli flakes according to taste.
This dip can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to three days before baking.
Use good-quality crusty bread for the best dipping experience.
If you don’t have a food processor, soften the cheeses and mix thoroughly by hand, though texture may be less smooth.
Be careful not to over-grill the dip as it can burn quickly under the grill.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: European

Keywords: cheese fondue, chilli cheese dip, baked cheese dip, thyme cheese dip, appetizer, party dip, melted cheese