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
- Quick Air Fryer Zucchini (Coins + Spears)
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
- Sticky Sesame Cauliflower (Air-Fried)
- 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, air fryer tater tots, and oven roasted sweet potato wedges.
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!