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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Baked Polenta Fries

    Published: Oct 14, 2019 · Modified: May 5, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 66 Comments

    2562 shares
    • 553
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Low Fat / Vegan

    If you are looking for a side dish that takes minimal effort, then Baked Polenta Fries are for you. You just put them in the oven and wait for them to get all crispy and golden brown on the outside and creamy and delicious in the middle. A great alternative to potato fries and lot of different options for seasoning too.

    A plate of Baked Polenta Fries next to a red towel.

    These Polenta Chips (or Fries if you like) can be eaten as a side dish, appetiser or just eaten as a snack. We would happily eat chips every day of the week, and sometimes do. But when they start to get a bit boring, we change things up a bit and use something other than white potato to make them.

    Sometimes we make Sweet Potato Fries, Baked Carrot Fries or our Baked Garlic Potato Wedges, but recently we have been making these polenta fries a lot.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love them
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to Make Baked Polenta Fries - Step by step
    • What is polenta?
    • Seasoning
    • What to serve these with
    • FAQ
    • Extra tips
    • More side dishes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love them

    • A delicious alternative to potato fries
    • Crispy on the outside fluffy in the centre
    • Lots of seasoning options
    • Just 107 calories a serving

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Polenta - we used a pre-cooked block of polenta to make these, as it saves so much time. However, you could make it yourself from scratch by boiling and simmering polenta in stock and them pouring it in to a lined baking tray and cooling and then putting in the fridge to chill overnight. You can then cut it like you would a pre-cooked block.
    • Olive oil - you can swap this for sunflower or vegetable oil.
    • Garlic granules - garlic is a simple flavour to add, but you can add any flavours you like. Add a Cajun or Mexican seasoning or even some curry powder for an Indian twist.
    • Salt and pepper - these polenta fries need to be well seasoned.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to Make Baked Polenta Fries - Step by step

    One: Cut the polenta into fries and put on a baking tray.

    polenta cut into fries on a black baking tray.

    Two: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt and pepper. Put in a preheated oven at 200°C/400°F/Gas 6 for 45-50 minutes, or until crispy.

    Oven Baked Polenta Fries on a black baking tray.

    Three: Serve with dips.

    Baked Polenta Fries on a white plate with small pots of ketchup and mayonnaise.

    What is polenta?

    Polenta is a fairly new ingredient to our house, but where has it been all our lives? It's amazing! Polenta is boiled cornmeal and then it can be set in blocks (which you can buy in supermarkets where the pasta is) and then cut that in to chips.

    It's a Northern Italian store cupboard staple that is made by grinding corn into flour. It has a rich yellow colour, and has a slightly sweet flavour.

    Although you can eat it thick and creamy like a porridge, if you allow it to set then you can cut it up and fry or bake it. You serve it instead of potatoes, pasta or rice or use it in place of breadcrumbs to coat chicken or fish when frying - it has a really nice texture.

    We buy the blocks ready made to make our chips, but you can cook the cornmeal up yourself to save money.

    Seasoning

    We try to make our recipes as adaptable as possible, and that usually comes down to the seasonings. We just added some garlic to these, to keep it simple, but there is so much more that you can do with them. Herbs are always a good addition and some dried oregano and thyme work well.

    Fancy something spicy? A sprinkle of cayenne goes a long way here or even some fajita seasoning. If you like your fries cheesy, and who doesn't, then about 10 minutes before the polenta chips are cooked, sprinkle some finely grated Parmesan on them and put them back in the oven. Cheesy chip perfection!

    Seasoned polenta fries with dip.

    What to serve these with

    Chips need dip. It's some kind of law or something. We have got you covered with a wide selection of dips that would go perfectly with these. Why not try our Healthier Homemade Ketchup or Healthy BBQ Sauce if you want to keep it traditional. Want something a bit creamier? Try dipping these in to our Homemade Healthy Ranch.

    Polenta chips on a red rimmed plate with two pots of dip.

    FAQ

    Can you make baked polenta fries in advance?

    You can chop the polenta in to chips and add the oil and seasoning and then put on a tray and cover. They can stay like this for a few hours until you are ready to put them in the oven to cook them.

    Can you make baked polenta fries in advance

    You can chop the polenta in to chips and add the oil and seasoning and then put on a tray and cover. They can stay like this for a few hours until you are ready to put them in the oven to cook them.

    How to make the polenta from scratch

    We used a pre-cooked block of polenta to make these, as it saves so much time. However, you could make it yourself from scratch by boiling and simmering polenta in stock and them pouring it in to a lined baking tray and cooling and then putting in the fridge to chill overnight. You can then cut it like you would a pre-cooked block.

    Can you make polenta fries in the air fryer?

    Yes, these get lovely and crispy in the air fryer and will take just 10-15 minutes.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Keep the seasonings simple, or get really creative. Cayenne or fajita seasoning adds some spice or some oregano and thyme add some Italian flavour.
    • Make these cheesy by adding a sprinkle or Parmesan 10 minutes before they are finished.
    • Serve with our healthy ketchup and BBQ sauce or our healthy ranch dressing.
    • If using store bought polenta, then pat it dry before slicing it up.
    • Make sure that all the chips are cut to the same size, so they cook evenly.

    More side dishes

    • Baked Tortilla Chips
    • Roasted Lemon Asparagus
    • Cilantro Lime Rice
    • Garlic and Parsley Roasted Carrots

    If you’ve tried these polenta fries, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Baked Polenta Fries on a white plate with small pots of ketchup and mayonnaise

    Baked Polenta Fries

    If you are looking for a side dish that takes minimal effort, then baked garlic polenta fries are for you. You just put them in the oven and wait for them to get all crispy, golden brown and delicious.
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    4.72 from 45 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: British
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 107kcal
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    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 500 g Polenta
    • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper

    Instructions

    • Cut the pack of polenta into fries and lay on a baking sheet.
    • Drizzle with oil and sprinkle over garlic, salt and pepper.
    • Put in a preheated oven at 210C/415F and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until crispy.

    Notes

    • Keep the seasonings simple, or get really creative. Cayenne or fajita seasoning adds some spice or some oregano and thyme add some Italian flavour.
    • Make these cheesy by adding a sprinkle or parmesan 10 minutes before they are finished.
    • Serve with our healthy ketchup and BBQ sauce or our healthy ranch dressing.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 35mg | Vitamin A: 40IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Scarlet

      October 16, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      These sounds amazing! I have never even heard of polenta fries before but I love polenta so I must try them!

      Reply
    2. Danielle Wolter

      October 15, 2019 at 11:37 am

      5 stars
      polenta is one of my favorite things. what a great idea to use it to make fries! i can't wait to try it.

      Reply
    3. Lauren

      April 21, 2019 at 9:26 pm

      5 stars
      These are fantastic. I've made them several times, especially as a side dish for grilled meat, and they are addictively good. I too find that they take a solid hour (sometimes even more) to bake to a nice crispness. Worth the wait though!

      Reply
      • Dannii

        April 23, 2019 at 8:23 am

        So happy you enjoyed them. They are one of our favourite sides.

        Reply
    4. Leo Erwin

      March 22, 2017 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      FABU...LOV THE RECIPE.....YOU CAN GET LOST IN THE FLAVOR..DONE THEM SEVERAL TIMES...NEEDS NEAR AN HOUR IN THE OVEN...I KINDA DO SEVERAL THINGS AT A TIME IN OVEN...BAKE THE RIBS, AND CARROTS..EVEN A TART..AND PUT THE POLENTA FRIES IN THE REAR OF OVEN...TURN FROM TIME TO TIME...REAL ADDICTION GOING ON WITH ME AND THEM FRIES....HEHEHEHEHEEH

      Reply
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