Test Code:

$test = [
    [
        'foo' => 'bar'
    ]
];

xdebug_notify("\nWithout Setting");
xdebug_notify($test);

ini_set('xdebug.var_display_max_depth', -1);
ini_set('xdebug.var_display_max_children', 256);
ini_set('xdebug.var_display_max_data', 1024);

xdebug_notify("\nWith Setting");
xdebug_notify($test);

Output:

C:/projects/engine-31/bugtest.php:10:
string(16) 
Without Setting
C:/projects/engine-31/bugtest.php:11:
array(1) {
  [0]=>
  array(1) {
  }
}
C:/projects/engine-31/bugtest.php:17:
string(13) 
With Setting
C:/projects/engine-31/bugtest.php:18:
array(1) {
  [0]=>
  array(1) {
  }
}