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baked polenta fries on a baking tray
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Crispy Baked Polenta Fries

Transform plain polenta into delicious fries! These crispy baked polenta fries are made from scratch and baked to perfection with a crisp-golden surface and a rich, velvety center. Serve these crunchy fries as a side or appetizer with dips and sauces.
Cook Time30 minutes
Resting time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 170kcal
Author: Sara Trezzi

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup instant polenta - Note 1
  • 4 ½ cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt - Note 2
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh sage - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary - chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

TOPPINGS

Instructions

  • Add the water into a medium-size pot and bring to a boil. Add the salt. 
  • As soon as the water starts to boil, turn the heat down and slowly add the polenta while whisking to avoid lumps.
  • Keep stirring and cook for around 5 to 10 minutes (check your polenta package instructions). Then add the chopped herbs, a bit of pepper, and mix well.
  • Lightly oil a baking dish (9x13 inch) or line it with parchment paper, and spread the polenta in an even single layer. Let it cool down for 30 minutes to an hour (you can also chill overnight). You can speed up the process by putting the baking dish in the fridge or freezer.
  • Preheat the oven to 430F (220C).
  • Once the polenta is set, remove it from the tray and cut them into fries with a sharp knife.
  • Place the fries on a baking tray, brush them with olive oil, spread them in an even layer, and sprinkle with extra fresh herbs. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, turn them around, and bake for another 15 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • Sprinkle with some sea salt flakes black pepper, and serve them hot with some dips as a side or tasty appetizer.

Notes

Note 1: If you want to reduce the cooking time, you can also use a pre-cooked polenta tube. 
Note 2: Don't add too much salt to your polenta. The polenta will dry a lot in the oven, which will increase its saltiness. 
How to store: Store your cooked and cooled polenta fries in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 1 to 2 days.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Sugar: 1g