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.
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.
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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
- 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.
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.
Three: Serve with dips.
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!
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.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
Yes, these get lovely and crispy in the air fryer and will take just 10-15 minutes.
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 Fries
Ingredients
- 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.
Lauren
I've made these a few times now as a side dish with grilled chicken and they are fantastic. We've served them to guests and gotten great reviews! I do find that they take quite a while in the oven, about an hour or so, to get crisped up, but it's worth it. Thanks for the recipe!
Samantha
These look amazing! I'm definitely making these tonight to accompany my turkey burgers. Just wondering--do these need to be flipped at all during the 40-minute bake time, or are they just fine lying flat?
Thanks!
Carol Rich
I am gluten-free for the same reason you are. I figured it out by trial and error, briefly thought I might have celiac disease, but I don't. I just feel better and have fewer digestive issues if I don't eat gluten. I can always use new recipes and ideas. I don't have a website, but maybe I should. I have collected some really good gluten-free recipes, some even my gluten-eating family like. I invented brown rice goulash, that's a favorite.
Emily Leary
I had polenta chips at a restaurant recently and they were thick, stodgy, flavourless affairs that I wouldn't order again. Cutting them into slim fries sounds far more appealing - will definitely try this.
Lisa from Lisa's Life
I still have never tried polenta but these are making me want to!
When I took the York test many years ago it tested for about 130 food and drink substances, good to hear they're making progress :)
Fran
Me again! Just wondering if you think these would freeze ok?
Rach @ This Italian Family
I've never had polenta fries before, but they sure look yummy! Also, sorry to hear about the food allergies, but at least you know now! That's definitely good information to have!
Jan @GlugofOil
Great idea Dannii - I have to give these a go. As you say they're far healthier too :)
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
It does sound like a mixed weekend. Well done on your running though! Polenta is something I forget about a lot of the time, so I love this reminder to pull it out. The chips look delicious.
P
It has been a while since I had polenta, and honestly when I had it, I wasn't a fan because I wasn't that creative with it. But making fries with it sounds like an awesome idea! And when paired with the right sauce, it must be delicious :D
Sarah @tamingtwins
I've only ever eaten polenta fries at Pizza Express ;) Will definitely try them after reading this though Dani. Thank you! x
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
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 :)
Alison
Polenta is one of those things I have never tried but is on my list. These look amazing. Sorry to hear about your gluten problem but hopefully now you know you can get on top of it
Alex
These sounds so yummy ! Deffo want to try them out !!
Fab post :)
Alex xox
Julie
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
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
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
Polenta is amazing! I agree with you, baked fries have the satisfying texture without all the grease. Great recipe :)
Ellie
I love polenta! isnt it a simple carb though? Like potato, white rice or white flour?
Cindy @ Pick Fresh Foods
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
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!