Crispy Baked Polenta Fries

Last Updated on October 10, 2023

You won’t stop chomping on these crispy baked polenta fries. It’s a traditional comfort food with a modern flair that will smack your lips.

These gluten-free polenta fries are crispy on the outside and irresistibly creamy and soft on the inside.

These cornmeal fries are a modern twist on a beloved classic, and it’s better than your old French fry snack.

Made with the finest organic cornmeal and infused with a medley of seasonings, golden and delicious, these baked polenta sticks are the perfect guilt-free treat!

Whether it’s a snack, a side dish, or an appetizer, they are full of flavor and texture, and you won’t be able to resist!

Join me as we delve into the crispy and creamy polenta fries, where tradition and innovation meet for a flavor-packed session that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.

Crispy Baked Polenta Fries Recipe – Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a delectable, golden brown and crispy dish that can be served as a snack. Appetizer or side dish.
• These gluten-free and vegan baked fries are healthier because they’re cooked in the oven or the air fryer without excessive oil, unlike deep-frying. 
• This dish has a great combination of textures and flavors. Soft and creamy at the same time.

Ingredients For Crispy Polenta Fries Recipe

Polenta has a neutral taste, which means it acts as a blank canvas. It’s an excellent base for any flavors we want to incorporate in this dish.

And I find that garlic powder and dried oregano suit it well to give it that savory French fry taste.

If you have a different spice and herb blend, you can also try it out.

It’s also easy to prepare as you just need to cook polenta in broth and stir it to prevent it from forming lumps.

No more cleaning the skin and peeling is required than using potatoes for regular French fries.

• 1 ½ cups/225g polenta (not quick cook)
• 4 cups/940ml vegetable broth*
• 3 tbsp/45ml olive oil
• 1 tsp/2g garlic powder
• ½ tsp/ ½ g dried oregano
• ½ tsp/1g ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp/11g nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp/3g salt*

How To Make Polenta Fries

1. Line parchment paper on a 9” x 13”/23cm x 33cm baking dish. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, bring the vegetable broth to a boil.
2. Whisk in the polenta in the pan and sprinkle in the garlic powder and oregano. Stir vigorously to avoid clumping. Cover and let it simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the cornmeal is smooth and no longer grainy. Remove from heat and season with the nutritional yeast, pepper, and salt to taste.
3. Pour into the prepared baking sheet and smoothen the surface into an even layer, getting all the way to the corners. Loosely cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees to 425 degrees F or 220 degrees C. Transfer the cooked polenta onto a cutting board and cut it into fries that are ½” – ¾”/12mm – 18mm thick and 3”- 4”/7.5cm-10cm long.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the fries on a baking sheet, forming a single layer. Brush all sides of the polenta with olive oil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping the polenta fries halfway through or until lightly brown. Transfer polenta fries onto a baking rack. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, or gently toss in additional seasoning. Serve while hot and can be partnered with marinara, spicy mayo, basil oil, aioli, ketchup, or any dipping sauce desired.

Air Fryer Method

Follow all the steps until Step 3

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F or 204 degrees C.
2. Cut the polenta into fries and brush all sides with olive oil.
3.  Cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes or until it becomes crunchy. Flip on the other side and cook for another 5 minutes, watching over it to avoid burning.
4. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite dip.

Notes:
Check the label of your vegetable broth. If it has a lot of salt, adjust the recipe. You may need less or no salt. Homemade vegetable broths may need more.

What Is Polenta?

Polenta is a traditional Italian dish that originated in Northern Italy.

It is made from coarsely ground yellow cornmeal, simmered with water or broth to create a creamy and porridge-like texture. And it’s perfect for people who are looking for:

🌽 Gluten-Free Option: Since polenta is made from corn, it is naturally gluten-free, making it a great alternative for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

🌽 Low in Fat and Calories: When prepared without excessive amounts of butter or cheese, polenta can be a low-fat and calorie-friendly food option.

Polenta Fries Are A Great Side Dish

Typically, polenta can be served with any main course you like.

But to give you an idea, here are some dishes that pair well with it while keeping it vegan.

• Roasted Vegetables
• Sauteed Chickpeas
• Mushroom burgers
• Italian Pasta Salad
• Chickpea Tacos
• Vegan Taco Soup

Don’t be limited by this list, as there are a lot of vegan dishes that pair well with this recipe.

Make your own combinations, and you will find it will please vegans and non-vegans alike.

Pre-cooked Polenta, Instant Polenta, Quick-Cooking Polenta Vs Polenta From Scratch

There are a ton of varieties to choose from when it comes to polenta.

Even I myself get dizzy from all the choices. Let’s look at their differences to help you choose the right one for you.

🌽 Instant polenta – is the most processed form of polenta. It is typically pre-cooked and then dehydrated, which significantly reduces the cooking time.

Instant polenta can be prepared in a matter of minutes, usually by whisking it into boiling water or broth. It tends to have a smoother and finer texture compared to traditional polenta.

🌽 Precooked polenta – is often used to describe polenta that has been partially cooked before packaging.

This can involve a brief cooking process followed by cooling and shaping into blocks or other forms.

When you buy precooked polenta, you can slice it into various shapes and either eat it as is or further cook it by grilling, sautéing, or pan-frying to achieve a crispy exterior.

🌽 Quick-cooking polenta is similar to instant polenta because it is designed to cook faster than traditional polenta.

It’s coarsely ground cornmeal that has been partially pre-cooked to reduce the overall cooking time.

While not as instant as the fully processed version, it still cooks faster than regular polenta and retains a slightly coarser texture.

🌽 Polenta from scratch – I think this is the healthiest one as it has no additives or preservatives.

It’s also not preseasoned, so you can control the amount of flavorings you can add. It also takes the most time to cook and prepare as well.

All of these variations can be used, and it just comes down to personal preference. Choose what is available, affordable, and convenient for you.