French Onion Dip Cob Loaf

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If you haven’t heard of a cob loaf then you are most likely not Australian. This French Onion Dip Cob Loaf is the ultimate Australian party recipe. Everyone has their own version of a cob loaf but mine is filled with a rich, creamy dip made from roasted garlic, slow-caramelised onions, sour cream, cream cheese and plenty of cheese. It’s baked until golden and bubbling and will always be the first thing to disappear at any Christmas or party gathering!

French onion dip cob loaf is being dipped into with a large piece of bread. You can see the dip coming out of the cob loaf.

Why you’ll love this French Onion Cob Loaf!

This French onion dip cob loaf is extremely indulgent, decadent and comforting! It’s definitely not an every-day food but it is the ultimate party food! The creamy, cheesy French onion dip is rich and savoury thanks to my signature roasted garlic and caramelised onions.

But the best part? Nothing goes to waste. The bread you scoop out gets toasted alongside the dip filled cob loaf until golden and crispy, making the perfect dippers for that hot, bubbling centre.

If you’ve loved my other dip recipes like my creamy garlic and herb dip and spicy red pepper dip, this French onion cob loaf is another guaranteed crowd favourite that belongs right in the middle of your party or Christmas table.

Ingredients for French Onion Dip Cob Loaf

The ingredient list for this French onion dip cob loaf is simple and made up of easy, familiar staples. Roasted garlic and slow-caramelised onions form the flavour base, while sour cream and cream cheese create that ultra-creamy, tangy dip we all love. Plenty of cheese makes it extra indulgent, and a crusty cob loaf is essential for holding the dip and turning every last piece of bread into the perfect scooper.

Ingredients for french onion dip cob loaf are shown. You can see cob loaf, brown onion, salt and pepper, vinegar, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, chives, olive oil and brown sugar.
  • Cob loaf – You can find a cob loaf at most major supermarkets and bakeries. I like to use a high quality sourdough cob loaf.
  • Brown onions slowly caramelised until sweet, golden and jammy. Use brown onions that are finely sliced.
  • Sour cream – brings that classic tangy French onion flavour
  • Cream cheese – makes the dip ultra creamy and rich. Make sure it’s room temperature so it can easily be mixed through.
  • Cheese – plenty of it, for a gooey, melty centre once baked. I like to use a melty cheddar cheese and lots of grated parmesan.

A full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below

French onion dip cob loaf is sitting on blue and white striped plate and has pieces of bread all around it.

How To Make French Onion Dip Cob Loaf

This French onion cob loaf could not be easier to make. While the caramelised onions and roasted garlic take a little patience, once they’re done everything comes together quickly.

Image of caramelised onions on wooden spoon.

Step 1: To make the caramelised onions, heat the olive oil in a heavy based deep saucepan over medium heat. When sizzling, add the onion. Immediately reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and sprinkle of salt to the onions and stir through. Continue to cook on low for an additional 15 minutes or until sticky and brown.

Stainless steel bowl with filling is shown and blue spoon sticking out of the side.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the caramelised onions, roasted garlic cloves, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, chives and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir through until everything is well combined.

French onion dip cob loaf is sitting on baking tray and has pieces of bread all around it. The cob loaf is unbaked and has grated cheese sitting on top.

Step 3: Slice off the top of the cob loaf. Using a serrated knife, cut around the inside of the bread making sure you do not cut into the sides. Scoop out the center of the bread using your hands. Use your hands to tear the bread into pieces about the size of croutons and do the same with the top of the bread. Add the filling into the centre of the cob loaf and then sprinkle over a little extra parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

French onion dip cob loaf is sitting on baking tray and has pieces of bread all around it.

Step 4: Place the cob loaf onto a baking tray and scatter around the torn up pieces of bread. Drizzle the torn up pieces of bread with a little olive oil. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until the top is melted, golden and bubbling.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a serrated or bread knife to cut a circle around the top of the cob loaf, then remove the lid and cut it up to use as extra dippers
  • Rip the bread from the middle with your hands rather than cutting it into neat cubes — it’s easier and the uneven pieces get much crispier once toasted
  • Drizzle the bread pieces generously with olive oil for extra golden, crunchy goodness
  • Don’t cut through the sides of the cob loaf, or your hot, creamy dip will leak out everywhere (and we don’t want that)

FAQ’s

Can I make this French onion cob loaf ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the dip filling a day ahead and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, spoon it into the cob loaf and bake until hot and bubbling.

What cheese works best in a French onion dip cob loaf?

A good melting cheese is key. Mozzarella, tasty cheese, gruyère or a mix of cheeses all work beautifully and give you that gooey, stretchy centre.

Do I have to use roasted garlic?

Roasted garlic adds a sweeter, more mellow flavour, but you can use sautéed or raw garlic if you’re short on time. Just keep in mind the flavour will be stronger so only use 2 cloves!

How do I stop the cob loaf from going soggy?

The cob loaf will not go soggy so do not worry about this! When the cob loaf comes out baked from the oven it will be crispy and crunchy!

Can I reheat leftover cob loaf dip?

Yes, but it’s best reheated in the oven rather than the microwave to keep the bread crisp and the dip creamy.

How To Serve

  • Serve this French onion cob loaf hot, straight from the oven, while the dip is bubbling and the bread is crisp. Arrange the toasted bread pieces around the cob loaf for dipping and place it in the centre of the table so everyone can dig in.
  • Serve with lots of chips, crackers and with my other delicious dips such as spicy red pepper dip or creamy garlic and herb dip.
  • Bring to your next holiday or Christmas gathering! It will be the first thing to go and will be extra delicious when paired with my roasted tomatoes with whipped goat cheese.

How To Store

If you have leftovers, allow the cob loaf to cool completely before storing. Transfer the dip and bread to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. For best results, reheat the dip in the oven until warmed through, then serve with freshly toasted bread, as the cob loaf itself will soften once stored.

French onion dip cob loaf is sitting on baking tray and has pieces of bread all around it.

More Appetizers to Love!

If you make this French Onion Dip Cob Loaf, please tag me on Instagram, Tik Tok or Pinterest so I can see your wonderful creations! If you have any questions or would like to leave a review, please do so here! I always love answering your food and recipe related questions and hearing your feedback on my recipes.

5 from 1 vote

French Onion Dip Cob Loaf

This French Onion Dip Cob Loaf is the ultimate Australian party recipe. It's filled with a rich, creamy dip made from garlic, caramelised onions, sour cream, cream cheese and plenty of cheese.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 1 cob loaf
  • 1 bulb garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 brown onions
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
  • 9 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 10 oz sour cream
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated + extra for sprinkling
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated + extra for sprinkling
  • 1/2 cup chives, finely sliced + extra to serve
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F
  • Roast garlic: Slice the top off the garlic bulb so the cloves are just exposed. Place into a sheet of alfoil or small baking dish with a lid. Drizzle with 1tbsp of olive oil and season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cover and bake for 1 hour. Allow the garlic to slightly cool and then squeeze out the garlic cloves. leave the oven running as we will need it to bake our cob loaf.
  • Caramelise onions: To make the caramelised onions, heat the olive oil in a heavy based deep saucepan over medium heat. When sizzling, add the onion. Immediately reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and sprinkle of salt to the onions and stir through. Continue to cook on low for an additional 15 minutes or until sticky and brown.
  • Dip / filling: In a large bowl, combine the caramelised onions, roasted garlic cloves, cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, chives and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir through until everything is well combined.
  • Cob loaf: Slice off the top of the cob loaf. Using a serrated knife, cut around the inside of the bread making sure you do not cut into the sides. Scoop out the center of the bread using your hands. Use your hands to tear the bread into pieces about the size of croutons and do the same with the top of the bread. Add the filling into the centre of the cob loaf and then sprinkle over a little extra parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake: Place the cob loaf onto a baking tray and scatter around the torn up pieces of bread. Drizzle the torn up pieces of bread with a little olive oil. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until the top is melted, golden and bubbling.
  • Serve: Serve immediately with some extra chives sprinkled all over.

Video

Notes

  • Use a serrated or bread knife to cut a circle around the top of the cob loaf, then remove the lid and cut it up to use as extra dippers
  • Rip the bread from the middle with your hands rather than cutting it into neat cubes — it’s easier and the uneven pieces get much crispier once toasted
  • Drizzle the bread pieces generously with olive oil for extra golden, crunchy goodness
  • Don’t cut through the sides of the cob loaf, or your hot, creamy dip will leak out everywhere (and we don’t want that)

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 9gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 304mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 906IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 227mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4 Comments

  1. Graeme Pearce says:

    Hi,I have a twice baked potato recipe I use,with many of these ingredients,do.you think I could incorporate mashed potatoes into the mixture and serve in separate bread rolls or buns?
    Just for a different take on roast potatoes for Xmas dinner.
    Cheers Graeme

    1. Daen Lia says:

      I have never seen that done before but I can’t see why not! Let me know how it turns out. I would love to give it a try myself. Merry Christmas!

  2. Star s says:

    5 stars
    Soooo delicious. Easy and beautiful recipe.

    1. Daen Lia says:

      Thank you for the lovely feedback!