Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Last Updated on February 24, 2022 by Betty Davies
Move over French fries, because these Italian polenta fries are hands down delicious and so easy to cook to perfection in the air fryer. Made with pre-cooked polenta, these fries are quick to prep with a simple seasoning, and served with grated parmesan and fresh thyme.
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Whether you serve them as a side dish or as an apetizer with your favorite dips, there is no bad time for these air fried polenta fries.
Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle, it has a mild and sweet corn flavor, similar to grits, and they are a wonderful change to your usual potato fries.
Our local Italian serves up polenta fries as a tasty appetizer and I am so addicted to them. Luckily, making them at home is simpler than you think!
Be sure to try my Air Fryer Roasted Beetroot and Air Fryer Onions too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: Made with pre-cooked polenta, these fries are simple to prep and quick to cook. They are ready to serve in 20 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: Made with only 4 ingredients, there’s no excuses not to give these a go!
- Dietary info: These air fryer polenta fries are gluten-free. Serve them without the shredded parm and they are vegan and dairy-free too!
Ingredients
- Polenta: Use pre-cooked polenta for this recipe, it’s available in a tube or a block and can usually be found near the pasta in the store. You make fries from scratch from dried polenta – read down to learn how to do that!
- Oil: A little oil helps the fries to brown and get crispy edges. Use a high heat and neutral flavored oil like vegetable, avocado or canola.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper and garlic powder
How to make air fryer polenta fries
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Cut the tubed polenta into fries and toss with the oil and seasonings (photo 1).
- Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket (photo 2).
- Cook til slightly browned (photo 3).
Recipe Variations
I like to add just a little seasoning to these air fryer polenta fries so that the flavors of the corn shine through. Feel free to mix up the seasonings if you like, try adding some paprika or a sprinkle of dried herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polenta is made from ground corn. It is like cornmeal, but it is more coarsely ground so it has a firmer consistency and more bite to it. If you like the flavor of cornmeal and grits, you are going to love these!
I love the ease and convenience of using pre-cooked polenta, but you can make it from scratch from dried.
– Bring 3 1/3 cups of chicken stock to a boil.
– Bring down to a simmer snd stir in 1 cup of quick cook polenta.
– Add 1/4 cup of butter, seasonings and stir til thickened.
– Spread the mix on a baking sheet, cover in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours of overnight.
– Once set, cut the polenta into fries and cook.
Polenta is a naturally gluten-free whole grain that is rich in antioxidants. It contains complex carbohydrates that leave you feeling fuller for longer and like other whole grains it’s low in fat.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer polenta fries are great to serve as an appetizer with your favorite dips, or serve them in place of a potato side dish for dinner.
Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating
These polenta fries are pretty quick to prep, but you can cut and season them and hour or two ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge til you are ready to cook.
Once cooked, the polenta fries can be store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400F for 3 to 5 minutes to warm them back through and get the edges crispy.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Go easy on the salt. Pre-cooked polenta is often already seasoned, so you only need a couple of pinches. You can always add more when you serve them.
- Cut the fries as evenly as you can so that they cook through at the same time.
- Preheat your air fryer for the best results. If your air fryer doesn’t have a pre-heat function, let it run at 400F for a few minutes while you prep the fries.
- Cook the fries in a single layer and not touching. This will help them to get browned all over.
- Air fryer models can run slightly differently. Adjust the final cook time as needed til golden brown.
These polenta fries are crazy quick and easy to cook in the air fryer. They make for a great appetizer to share with friends and family and they are a great addition to any game day gathering. I’m sure you’ll be as obsessed with these as we are!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Egg Fried Rice
- Air Fryer Potato Gratin
- Air Fryer Cauliflower Steaks
- Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
Air Fryer Polenta Fries
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tube ready cooked polenta (18oz / 500g)
- 3 tablespoons oil
- pinch salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- fresh thyme leaves and grated parmesan to serve
Instructions
- Pre heat the air fryer to 400F / 200c.
- Cut the polenta tube into fries and place in a bowl.
- Add the oil and seasonings and gently toss together.
- Place the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that they are not touching. You may need to cook them in two batches.
- Set the air fryer to cook at 360F / 180c and cook for 10 minutes.
- Use tongs to flip the fries over and cook at 400F for an additional 3 to 5 minutes til golden brown.
- Keep the polenta fries warm in the oven while you cook the other batch.
Notes
- Go easy on the salt. Pre-cooked polenta is often already seasoned, so you only need a couple of pinches. You can always add more when you serve them.
- Cut the fries as evenly as you can so that they cook through at the same time.
- Preheat your air fryer for the best results. If your air fryer doesn’t have a pre-heat function, let it run at 400F for a few minutes while you prep the fries.
- Air fryer models can run slightly differently. Adjust the final cook time as needed til golden brown.
