My quick air fryer polenta fries are crispy outside, creamy inside, & pair perfectly with your favorite seasonings and dips. An easy appetizer or side ready in just 30 minutes!
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The Ingredients
- How to Make Polenta Fries in an Air Fryer
- FAQs
- Pro Recipe Tips
- What To Serve With Polenta Fries?
- Storage Instructions
- More Air Fryer Recipes to Consider
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Air-Fried)
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These air-fried polenta fries are ultra crispy outside, and just as tasty, using only a fraction of the oil. Best of all, using packaged pre-cooked polenta makes them effortless. Simply slice, season (they're just as versatile as regular fries!), and air fry to crispy, golden perfection.
Then serve them as a satisfying gluten-free, vegan appetizer, snack, or side (perfect with 5-minute vegan garlic aioli and your favorite dips!). You might also enjoy air fryer zucchini fries, air fryer potato wedges, and air fryer tater tots.
The Ingredients
- Polenta: Save a ton of time and effort with a tube of pre-cooked polenta. Use flavored polenta to switch things up.
How to Make Polenta Fries in an Air Fryer
Step 1: First, preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Remove the polenta from its packaging, pat it dry, and slice it into uniform, bite-sized fries.
Step 2: Mix the olive oil, salt, pepper, and seasoning in a large bowl.
To cut fries: first cut it in half, slice ½-inch lengthwise slabs, then cut into fries.
Step 3: Work in batches, tossing 4-5 fries at a time until evenly coated, then arrange in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with space between.
Step 4: Air fry the polenta fries for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden. Air fry in batches if needed.
Step 5: Optionally, sprinkle with extra seasonings, and enjoy!
FAQs
Yes, but it's more time-consuming. Cook the polenta according to the package instructions (season/flavor it how you like!), pour into a lined loaf pan or 8-inch square pan, chill for 2-4 hours, then slice.
These vegan polenta fries are just as versatile as potato fries. A simple fries seasoning I love mixes onion and garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Other options include: chili/cayenne pepper, cumin, Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, rosemary, thyme, and/or oregano. Add nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan (before serving) for tasty vegan cheesy polenta fries.
Polenta is a great source of complex carbohydrates (to keep you feeling full for longer), fiber, B vitamins, several minerals, and antioxidants. Plus, air frying means they use minimal fat, too.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Cut fries evenly: For even cooking.
- Change the shape: Swap 'fries' for crispy polenta bites, slices/cakes, triangles, wedges, etc. Adjust cooking time based on thickness.
- For the crispiest polenta fries: Thinner fries will be crispier, as they have less creamy middle. Also, don't skip the oil or overcrowd the fries in the air fryer (to ensure airflow).
- Cooking time varies: Based on your air fryer. Adjust as needed.
- Experiment with flavors: Just like regular fries, these air fryer polenta fries are truly versatile - so have fun playing with herbs and seasonings.
What To Serve With Polenta Fries?
- Dipping sauce: Like ketchup, vegan mayo, spicy mayo, vegan Ranch, mustard, vegan cheese sauce, marinara sauce, vegan garlic aioli, etc.
- For loaded fries: Topped with chili, salsa, guacamole, vegan cheese, etc.
- As a side: With plant-based burgers, sandwiches, tacos (like vegan chorizo tacos) meatballs (like chili sauce and grape jelly meatballs), other vegan proteins (like crispy air fryer tofu), or a hearty bowl of chili.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Leave the homemade polenta fries to cool, then store in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Freeze: Flash freeze then transfer them to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3 months. Air fry from frozen.
Reheat: Back in the oven (10-15 minutes) or air-fryer (4-6 minutes) at 375°F/190°C until warm and crispy.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Consider
If you tried this air fryer polenta fries recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Air Fryer Polenta Fries
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (18-ounce) package of pre-cooked polenta
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning (or rosemary/ your choice of seasonings
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Remove the polenta from its packaging and pat dry. Slice into bite-sized fries, keeping them uniform in size.
- In a large bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Working in batches, gently toss 4-5 fries at a time in the oil mixture to coat evenly.
- Place the coated fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve hot. Add more salt to taste, if desired.
Notes
- For the crispiest polenta fries: Thinner fries will be crispier, as they have less creamy middle. Also, don't skip the oil or overcrowd the fries in the air fryer (to ensure airflow).
- Cooking time varies: Based on your air fryer. Adjust as needed.
- Experiment with flavors: Just like regular fries, these air fryer polenta fries are truly versatile - so have fun playing with herbs and seasonings.
Andrea says
Love how easy these fries are to make!