If you are looking for a side dish with a difference, that takes minimal effort, then Baked Polenta Chips 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 chips and lot of different options for seasoning too.
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These Polenta Chips (or Polenta 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. Polenta makes incredible chips.
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.
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Why You Will Love Them
- A delicious alternative to potato chips - If you are looking for something a bit different, then this polenta chips recipe is it.
- Perfect texture - Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the centre.
- Versatile - Lots of seasoning options, so you never have to have them the same way twice.
- Low in calories - Just 108 calories a serving
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 into 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.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- 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 into 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.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Baked Polenta Fries - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Step 1: Cut the polenta into fries and put on a baking tray.
- Step 2: Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt and pepper. Put into the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until crispy.
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 this polenta chips recipe, 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. Our Peri Peri Seasoning is amazing on polenta chips too.
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!
Serving Suggestions
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 into our Homemade Healthy Ranch or Southwest Sauce.
Chips and burgers are a good combination too and we have got you covered there as well. Try our Air Fryer Burger, Cajun Chicken Burger or Hidden Vegetable Burgers.
We also think they make an amazing side dish to our Air Fryer Steak.
Dannii's Top 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.
- If you are making your own polenta, you can add some cheese into it.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can chop the polenta into 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.
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 into 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.
Yes, these get lovely and crispy in the air fryer and will take just 10-15 minutes.
We would recommend eating these straight away, as they can become rubbery when left and they don't reheat very well. So try to only make as many as you need.
More Side Dishes
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 Chips
Ingredients
- 500 g (10 oz) Polenta
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 pinch Sea salt
- 1 pinch Ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6.
- Cut 500 g Polenta into fries and put on a baking tray.
- Drizzle with 1 tablespoon Olive oil and sprinkle over 1 teaspoon Garlic powder and 1 pinch Sea salt.
- Put into the oven for 45-50 minutes, or until crispy.
Recipe 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. Try our French Fry Seasoning or Peri Peri seasoning too.
- Make these cheesy by adding a sprinkle or parmesan 10 minutes before they are finished.
- If you are making your own polenta, you can add some cheese in to it.
- 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.
Nutritional Information
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The 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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I made polenta fries at a cookery school once and have been meaning to recreate them ever since! The version we made was deep-fried, but your baked ones look just as tasty :)
Alex says
These sounds so yummy ! Deffo want to try them out !!
Fab post :)
Alex xox
Julie says
Wow. I can't believe how mean some people can be. Good for you for keeping your head high and not letting it get to you. That takes a very strong person.
On a superstar note, I am going to get one of those tests as I have though for a while I might have a wheat intolerance. Thanks for sharing your honest review.
Fran says
Well I'm a bit of a lurker and love your blog but thought I'd bite the bullet and post this time! This couldn't have come at a better time for me because I just bought a block of polenta yesterday for the first time in one of my spontaneous moments. Then got home and thought why did I buy this?!
Looking forward to trying it!
Fran says
Ps I can't believe how spiteful people can be, easier said than done I know but ignore the comments. You have done amazingly with your weight loss and it's about being healthy and strong. Also cliche as it sounds but kindness and a warm heart tops thin and spiteful any day. That's what matters to people who know you.
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Polenta is amazing! I agree with you, baked fries have the satisfying texture without all the grease. Great recipe :)
Ellie says
I love polenta! isnt it a simple carb though? Like potato, white rice or white flour?
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods says
Congrats on your run and I can't believe someone would say that to you. People!!
Now these 'fries' are something to get excited about. Using polenta to make fries is such a great idea! They look delicious!
Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner says
Oh wow these look amazing!! I've never tried polenta but seriously, I am salivating. Sorry if that's tmi :) thanks for the awesome recipe!
Deena Kakaya says
I love polenta fries and often find restaurant versions quite greasy so I'm impressed that yours have just five sprays of oil! They look so crisp!
Heidi Roberts says
I do like polenta, these crisps look like a really good way to eat it!
Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says
Oooh, I have to say that I've NEVER made polenta fries before! I'm a big fan of homemade fries and just made green bean fries yesterday.
So interesting about your gluten intolerance. That's great that now you know for sure that being gluten free will help you to feel your best!
shobha says
We eat a lot of polenta in Brazil.. Love the yummy fries.
Agness says
So easy and quick to make, I just can't believe it!!!
Beckie says
These literally look gorgeous!
GiGi Eats says
I LOVEEEEEE making my own fries!! Never tried it with Polenta though. That stuff scares me lol!