Air Fryer Polenta Fries are a nice alternative to the usual French Fries cooked in oil.
These air fryer polenta fries are impossibly crispy and golden on the outside while being perfectly soft on the inside.
What you will read about in this recipe.
What are polenta fries?
Polenta fries are like French or similar fries only, they are made with cornmeal porridge that has been cut into sticks and then baked or fried.
I like that these fries can be eaten just like a potato based fry.
Have you tried my Air Fryer Crispy Tofu?
Those tofu fries are a simple vegan snack idea that can be made in about 20 minutes. Both this recipe for polenta fries and that recipe for crispy tofu are tasty snack recipes that can be made in an air fryer.
Make this recipe from scratch using regular polenta or your can use a ready to serve already made polenta tube. You can find a selection of both kinds of polenta here.
Why we love these crispy polenta fries.
Polenta fries are nice alternative to the usual fries. They taste similar to French fries but, with a cornmeal flavor and a slightly creamier texture.
Here is what else we like about this recipe.
- The fries have the most delicious flavor thanks to the addition of chicken stock and parmesan cheese.
- You can eat these fries just like regular fries, dipping them into ketchup.
- Personalizing this recipe is as easy as adding seasonings or some minced garlic.
- Using polenta from a tube, you can make this recipe in about a half hour.
- It takes just four ingredients to make this recipe.
- After air frying, these polenta fries can be topped with optional sea salt flakes and chopped fresh parsley.
Ingredients needed to make polenta fries.
- Stock. Such as vegetable (vegan/vegetarian) or chicken stock.
- Smooth Polenta. A fine polenta will keep the lumps from forming and make the fries creamy in the center.
- Parmesan Cheese. Added for flavor and a bit of texture (grated). Vegan folks can use a bit of nutritional yeast instead.
- Olive Oil. Sprayed or brushed over the fries to get them crisp.
- Optional Ingredients : seasonings such as sea salt or parsley or the seasonings of your choice.
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Tips for making the best polenta fries.
Making this recipe from scratch can be time consuming if you are in a hurry. You can use polenta in tube (instead of the broth and polenta) and follow the directions from cutting the polenta into fries.
More helpful tips for you.
- My fries were made using Smooth Italian polenta. Instant, precooked, or quick polenta are also suitable in this recipe.
- Refrigerating the polenta (at least an hour) before slicing the polenta into fries will make it easier to cut the polenta into fries and allow them keep their structure.
- Swapping out your stock for another flavor, such as beef or vegetable stock, is another way to make your fries more flavorful.
- When you make the polenta from scratch, using parchment paper to line the baking pan will make it easier to transfer the set polenta for cutting.
- I like to use an oil sprayer for a recipe such as this one. Brushing on your oil using a pastry brush will also work.
- When placing the fries into your air fryer, leave plenty of room between the fries so that the warm air can circulate for even baking.
How to Make Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Prep Time: 15 minutes .
Chill Time: 4 hours.
Air Fry Time: 10 minutes .
Servings: 4 .
- Start by making your polenta. If you are using premade polenta in a tube, you can skip this step. In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, bring your stock to a boil. Carefully whisk in the polenta and then bump the heat down to medium. Switch to a wooden spoon and mix until the polenta is thickened and smooth. Then remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the grated parmesan until it has melted.
- Set the Polenta. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper that slightly hangs from the sides of the sheet. Then evenly spread the cooked polenta over the parchment paper (you can use a pizza roller to do this). Refrigerate the polenta until set (about four hours to overnight).
- Slice the Polenta into fries. Use the parchment paper to lift the polenta out of the baking sheet. Then slice the polenta into fries that are ½ inch to ¾ inch thick.
- Air Fry the Fries. Spray or paint the oil on to your fries and then place the fries into the basket of your air fryer.
- Air fry the polenta at 350°F/180°c for 10 minutes, or until crispy and slightly golden. You can flip them over if needed after eight minutes.
- Carefully remove the fries from the fryer basket and season as desired before serving.
Expert Tip 👉 These polenta fries can also be baked in the oven. Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F/180°c for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway.
How to store polenta fries.
Once these fries have fully cooled they should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, they should keep in a refrigerator for about two days. Uncooked polenta fries can be frozen in an airtight container for up to three months, and then air fried from frozen.
You may also be interested in these ideas.
- Easy Air Fryer S’Mores Recipe
- Air Fryer Copycat Doritos
- Air Fryer Bacon (Easy Recipe!)
- Air Fryer Chex Mix Recipe
- Air Fryer Double Chocolate Muffins
- Air Fryer Frito Pie ( just 3 ingredients!)
Print the recipe for Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups Stock Such as vegetable (vegan/vegetarian) or chicken stock.
- 1¾ cups Smooth Polenta
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese. -Grated
- ¼ cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, bring your stock to a boil. Carefully whisk in the polenta and then bump the heat down to medium. Switch to a wooden spoon and mix until the polenta is thickened and smooth. Then remove the polenta from the heat and stir in the grated parmesan until it has melted.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper that slightly hangs from the sides of the sheet. Then evenly spread the cooked polenta over the parchment paper (you can use a pizza roller to do this). Refrigerate the polenta until set (about four hours to overnight).
- Use the parchment paper to lift the polenta out of the baking sheet. Then slice the polenta into fries that are ½ inch to ¾ inch thick.
- Spray or paint the oil on to your fries and then place the fries into the basket of your air fryer.
- Air fry the polenta at 350°F/180°c for 10 minutes, or until crispy and slightly golden. You can flip them over if needed after eight minutes. Carefully remove the fries from the fryer basket and season as desired before serving.
Recipe Notes
Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe. Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See theairfryingdiva.com for details on this recipe.
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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Air Fryer Polenta Fries (just 4 ingredients), a simple and tasty side dish or appetizer recipe. Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan.
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.
TheAirFryingDiva
yum
Cece
Great use for polenta!
TheAirFryingDiva
I agree!