Crispy air fryer Polenta Fries! Whether you enjoy them as a snack, side dish, or appetizer, these polenta fries offer a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Give them a try and savor their crispy, tender goodness! Vegan and Gluten-free. (Oven directions included in notes.)
Golden and crunchy, these air-fried Polenta Fries have a delightful texture that combines a crispy exterior with a creamy and tender interior. The great thing about the air fryer is not only does it cook faster, it also crisps without using large amounts of oil. *See notes for using your oven!
Polenta fries have a mild and slightly sweet corn flavor, pairing well with a variety of seasonings and spices, allowing for endless customization options. Serve with warm marina sauce and melty mozzarella cheese as a tasty appetizer, or a delicious GF side for burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, or even enjoyed as a tasty snack. Check out 25 Best Appetizer Recipes for more inspiration!
Table of Contents
Why you will LOVE Polenta Fries!
- Crispy and Tender: Polenta fries have a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender and creamy interior, providing a delightful texture combination.
- Versatility: Polenta fries can be made in an air fryer or oven, giving you options based on your cooking preference and available appliances.
- Customizable Seasonings: You can add various seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs, or grated Parmesan cheese to the polenta fries, allowing you to customize the flavors and create a taste profile that suits your preferences.
- Dipping Sauce Pairings: Polenta fries pair well with a variety of dipping sauces; favorites include our easy marinara sauce and Roasted Tomato Sauce. Other options include chipotle ranch, creamy pesto, and Vegan Ranch Dressing, and even Guacamole! There are countless options. You can experiment with different sauces and dressings to enhance the flavor and elevate your culinary experience.
Ingredients in Polenta Fries
Ingredient Notes
- Polenta: You can use store-bought polenta or homemade polenta for this recipe. If using store-bought polenta, make sure it is the solid, pre-cooked type that comes in a tube or block.
- Seasonings: To enhance the flavor of the polenta fries, you can add various seasonings like garlic powder, fresh or dried herbs (such as rosemary or thyme), or grated cheeses such as parmesean or sharp cheddar. Feel free to customize the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
- Dipping Sauce: Polenta fries pair well with dipping sauces like marinara sauce, chipotle ranch. You can also get creative and try other sauces or dressings according to your liking.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to make Polenta Fries
Step One- Bring the water to a boil. Add salt and the polenta slowly, whisking all the while. Add herbs if using.
Step Two- Turn the heat down and stir for about 5 minutes over a simmer (be careful of polenta splatters!). Turn down to low cover with a lid on for another 5 minutes. Give a stir, put the lid back on and turn the heat off and let sit for 10 minutes.
Step Three- Pour into a flat pan (no need to oil) about 8 x 10″. You want the polenta to be close to 1/4 inch thick. Spread the polenta out and smooth the top with an oiled metal spatula. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step Four- Loosen the edges and flip the pan over onto a cutting board (place the cutting board on top of the polenta pan and then turn them over together, so that the polenta pan is upside down on top of the cutting board- let it sit there a minute until the polenta drops onto the cutting board).
Step Five- Cut the polenta into french fry shapes about 1/4 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Brush with olive oil and place on the air fryer rack so that there is a little space between each fry. Bake in the air fryer at 425F degrees for 15 minutes. Toss them around a little and bake 5 minutes more, until the edges are golden brown.
Crispy Polenta Fries FAQS
Yes, you can use store-bought polenta for this recipe. Just make sure to use the solid, pre-cooked polenta that comes in a tube or block.
Low in calories high in protein and fiber. Polenta is a good source of complex carbohydrates. Polenta fries are vegan and gluten-free, making them suitable for a variety of dietary preferences.
Both are made from ground cornmeal, but there are some differences in the texture and preparation.
Polenta is an Italian dish that is traditionally made with coarse yellow cornmeal. It has a creamy and smooth texture when cooked and is often served as a side dish or used as a base for other recipes.
Grits, on the other hand, are a Southern American dish made from ground corn kernels. They are typically made from white cornmeal and have a coarser texture compared to polenta. They are popular in Southern cuisine.
Using an oven instead of an air fryer may require slight adjustments in cooking time and technique, but it can still yield delicious results. An air fryer uses rapid hot air circulation to cook food quickly and crisp the food without additional oil.
When using an oven; make sure to fully preheat, use a rack, if possible, to allow air flow to circulate all around the fries, the fries will take a little more time in the oven, toss or stir a few times while baking to ensure even browning.
An air fryer is a cooking appliance that enables you to achieve crispy and flavorful results with significantly less oil compared to conventional frying methods. By utilizing rapid air circulation and high heat, it evenly cooks and crisps food items, requiring only a small amount of oil to achieve desired texture and flavor.
What to serve with Polenta Fries
- Guacamole (three ways!)
- Creamy Pesto Dressing
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Chipotle Mayo (Mexican Secret Sauce)
- Roasted Tomato Sauce
More recipes you may enjoy!
Love this recipe? Please let us know in the comments and leave a 5-star ⭐️ rating below the recipe card.
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Polenta Fries Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (+30 minutes rest time)
- Yield: about 35 fries 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: Air fryer, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Crispy air fryer Polenta Fries! Whether you enjoy them as a snack, side dish, or appetizer, these polenta fries offer a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Give them a try and savor their crispy, tender goodness! Vegan and Gluten-free. (Directions for conventional oven included.)
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick-cook polenta meal (Bob’s red mill works great)
- 3 cups water, or broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon mixed fresh herbs like rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried herbs)
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
Add ons: 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 2 cloves pressed fresh garlic.
Marinara dipping sauce
- 2 cups Quick and Easy Marinara or store bought
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon each capers and kalamata olives- chopped small
- burrata or fresh mozzerella slices ( or vegan cheese)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil. Add salt and the polenta slowly, whisking all the while. Add herbs if using.
- Turn the heat down and stir for about 5 minutes over a simmer (be careful of polenta splatters!). Turn down to low with a lid on for another 5 minutes. Give a stir, put the lid back on and turn the heat off and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Pour into a flat pan (no need to oil) about 8 x 10″. You want the polenta to be close to 1/4 inch thick. Spread the polenta out and smooth the top with an oiled metal spatula. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Loosen the edges and flip the pan over onto a cutting board (place the cutting board on top of the polenta pan and then turn them over together, so that the polenta pan is upside down on top of the cutting board– let it sit there a minute until the polenta drops onto the cutting board).
- Cut the polenta into french fry shapes about 1/4 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Brush with olive oil and place on the air fryer rack so that there is a little space between each fry.
- Bake in the air fryer at 425F degrees for 15 minutes. Toss them around a little and bake 5 minutes more, until the edges are golden brown.
For the Marinara Dipping Sauce
Notes
Tips for baked polenta fries in an conventional oven: Preheat your oven to 450F degrees or 425F on convection setting. Adjust cooking time: You may need to double the cooking time. Use a baking sheet or rack: Place your food on a baking sheet with parchment paper or even better, a wire rack to allow hot air to circulate around it. Elevating the food helps prevent sogginess and promotes even browning. Flip or rotate the fries a few times while baking to ensure even browning and crispy texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 8 fries
- Calories: 54
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 297.7 mg
- Fat: 4.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.9 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
These were delicious. I served as our main dish with a salad and the marinara and mozzarella minus the add-ins. Kids loved them. Grownups snacked on all the remaining fries and we had zero leftovers.
I didn’t time this well and it took way longer than suggested. Next time I’ll make the polenta earlier in the day (I didn’t have instant polenta, but used the instant pot for a zero mess alternative for regular polenta) and air fry the fries right before dinner.
Ah, yes making ahead is easier. So glad you all enjoyed!
I make them all the time with your Instant Pot Polenta recipe, delicious!
Oh cool!