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    Home » Air fryer

    Air fryer polenta fries (using tubed polenta)

    Published: Jan 20, 2022 · Modified: Mar 2, 2023 by Cadry Nelson
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Text overlay: Air fryer polenta fries. Fried polenta sticks on platter with marinara.

    Air fryer polenta fries are so easy to make using store-bought tubed polenta. Just cut the tube into sticks, season, and cook.

    They make a satisfying & delicious snack or appetizer. Vegan and gluten free.

    Pile of polenta fries on stack of orange plates.

    Do you love cornbread, arepas, or grits?

    If so, you’ll love air fryer polenta fries.

    They have the mild, cozy flavors of cornmeal, but with the texture and bite of a french fry.

    Best of all, they’re super easy to make, thanks to the help of prepared polenta in a tube.

    It’s just a matter of cutting, seasoning, and air frying. Can’t beat that!

    Air fryer polenta fries get beautifully crispy on the outside, while the inside is creamy and tender.

    (Don’t have an air fryer? There are oven directions in the notes section of the recipe card below.)

    They are perfect for dunking into warmed marinara, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce.

    Enjoy them on their own. Or have them as a side dish with a sandwich or soup.

    They’re loved by kids & adults alike.

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to cut tubed polenta into fries
    • How to cook them
    • Make them your own
    • Dipping sauce options
    • What to serve with polenta fries
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this polenta fries recipe.

    Labeled ingredients for polenta fries.

    Tubed polenta: Look for tubed polenta in the center aisles of your grocery store. It’s often near the other Italian foods like pasta, shelf stable gnocchi, and spaghetti sauce.

    I buy mine at Trader Joe’s. You can also find it online.

    It is a shelf stable item that you can store in the pantry until you’re ready to open it. Once opened, it must be stored in the refrigerator.

    Oil spray: Any oil spray will work for this recipe. Buy it in a can or use a refillable oil sprayer.

    Or if you’d rather, drizzle a little oil on the fries, and gently coat them evenly with your hands.

    Dried herbs & seasonings: Finish with dried basil, dried oregano, granulated garlic, salt, and pepper.

    How to cut tubed polenta into fries

    Numbered collage showing how to cut tube of polenta into fries.

    1. Open a tube of prepared polenta.

    2. Lay it on its side. Cut in half.

    3. Stand the halves up, cut side down. Cut each one straight down the middle.

    4. Now you have 4 sections. Cut each one in half, straight down the middle.

    5. Now you have 8 slabs total. Lay them flat.

    6. Cut each slab into 4 equal-sized fries.

    How to cook them

    Here’s how to cook polenta fries at a glance. For complete instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.

    Polenta cut into sticks & topped with seasonings in mixing bowl.

    Put the cut polenta fries into a large mixing bowl.

    Spray with oil & season with the following:

    • Dried basil
    • Dried oregano
    • Granulated garlic
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    Polenta sticks in mixing bowl with spices.

    Use your hands to gently toss the fries, so that they’re evenly coated with herbs. Give another spray of oil if you like.

    Put the fries in a single layer in an air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.

    (Overcrowded baskets don’t brown as nicely. And it’s tough to flip the fries when it’s too full. You’ll likely need to work in batches.)

    Polenta fries in air fryer basket.

    Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until they’re starting to get crispy and browned on the exterior.

    Gently flip & air fry for 2 to 4 minutes more. (Remember, air fryers vary. Yours may take a little longer or shorter, depending on the model.) Remove from basket.

    Continue with the next batch until all of the fries are golden brown. (Second batches usually cook in less time, because the air fryer is hot.)

    Overhead fried polenta sticks with marinara, ranch, and barbecue sauce.

    Make them your own

    You can make this polenta fries recipe your own by varying the seasonings.

    Omit the herbs & garlic

    If you have tubed polenta that’s already seasoned, or if you just prefer to go the simpler route, you can simply oil the fries, season with salt & pepper, and air fry.

    Vary the spices

    Or you can vary the seasonings by using a generous sprinkle of Italian seasoning, pizza seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning salt.

    Cut the polenta into different shapes

    You can cut it into wedges or rounds. Keep in mind that the air frying time will vary, depending on how thickly or thinly you cut it.

    Keep an eye on it, and flip once it looks fairly browned. (Polenta can be a little floppy & difficult to flip if it isn’t done enough.)

    Dipping sauce options

    Polenta fry being dunked into bowl of marinara with basil garnish.

    You can certainly enjoy air fried polenta on its own. But it’s even more fun & delicious with a dipping sauce.

    Warmed marinara is a great option if you want to lean into those Italian vibes. Use jarred or homemade marinara sauce.

    But my personal favorite dipping sauce is vegan ranch dressing.

    Here are some other dip ideas:

    • Barbecue sauce
    • Ketchup
    • Cocktail sauce
    • Lemon garlic aioli
    • Buffalo sauce
    • Vegan sriracha mayonnaise
    • Vegan honey mustard
    Hand picking up polenta fry.
    Bowl of marinara by pile of fried polenta sticks.

    What to serve with polenta fries

    Polenta fries are a tasty snack in their own right. And since they’re so pantry-friendly, it’s easy to whip up a batch when you’re feeling peckish.

    They also work well as a side dish, anywhere you’d typically serve baked fries or alongside dishes with an Italian bent.

    • Eggplant parmesan sandwich
    • Meatball burger
    • Air fryer stuffed peppers
    • Creamy tomato soup
    • Three bean chili
    • BBQ jackfruit sandwich
    • Buffalo chickpea sandwich

    (For more air fryer inspiration, check out these vegan air fryer recipes.)

    Metal tray with pile of polenta fries and dipping sauces.

    📖 Recipe

    Polenta fries on tray with marinara. More dipping sauces in background.

    Air fryer polenta fries

    Author: Cadry Nelson
    5 from 4 votes
    Polenta fries are so easy to make in the air fryer. Simply cut prepared polenta into sticks, season with spices, and air fry until crisp. Serve with warmed marinara or your favorite dipping sauce.
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Course: Air Fryer, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Vegan
    Keyword: easy snack, gluten free side dish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 18 ounces prepared polenta in tube
    • Oil spray
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano or dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
    • Dash salt
    • Dash pepper

    Instructions

    • Remove polenta from plastic tube. If it's damp, gently dry it off with a clean kitchen towel.
    • Now its time to cut the polenta into fries. (See the blog post for detailed pictures showing how to do it.)
      Start by laying the polenta log on its side on a cutting board. Cut it in half. Then stand those halves on their ends, cut side down. Cut them in half straight down the middle. Then cut each half into halves. Now you should have 8 flat slabs total. Lay the slabs flat, and cut them into fry-shaped sticks (4 sticks per slab).
    • Put the polenta fries into a large mixing bowl. Spray with oil. Then sprinkle on dried basil, dried oregano (or dried parsley), granulated garlic, a dash of salt, and a dash of pepper.
      Use your hands to carefully toss the polenta fries in the spices, so that they're evenly coated. Be gentle, so that they don't break. Give another spray of oil, if you like.
    • Place about half of the seasoned polenta fries into the air fryer basket. (Be careful not to overcrowd, or they won't brown as nicely. You'll likely need to cook in batches.)
      Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, or until they are starting to look brown & crispy around the edges. Carefully flip with a spatula. Air fry at 400 degrees for 2 to 4 more minutes, until they are browned & crisp all over.
    • Remove the polenta fries from the air fryer basket & put on a serving plate.
      Cook the remaining polenta fries in the same fashion. Be aware that they may cook slightly faster since the air fryer is now hot.
    • Serve polenta fries with warmed marinara or your favorite dipping sauces like vegan ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, hot sauce, or ketchup.

    Notes

    Polenta fries are best fresh. However, you can store & reheat them, if needed.
    Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. They will last 3 or 4 days.
    Reheat in the air fryer. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, stopping once to carefully flip.
    Oven instructions
    If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake polenta fries on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Stop to flip halfway through.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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    1. Kathy

      August 17, 2023 at 5:25 am

      5 stars
      These are so good. A nice alternative to French fries. Very easy to make in the air fryer.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        August 18, 2023 at 9:17 am

        That’s so nice to hear, Kathy! I’m delighted you’re enjoying them. Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    2. Dee

      March 02, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Is there a way to do them in the oven? Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        March 02, 2023 at 4:57 pm

        Yes, you can bake them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at 425 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Stop to flip halfway through.

        Reply
    3. laurie b

      June 21, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      OH MY GOSH!!! Delicious and super easy! Muchas gracias, chica!

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        June 22, 2022 at 10:58 am

        That’s great to hear! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Laurie!

        Reply
    4. Shell

      February 07, 2022 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      Love these! I will be keeping polenta in the pantry from now on!

      Reply
      • Cadry Nelson

        February 07, 2022 at 2:09 pm

        Yes, such a good quick & filling snack. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!

        Reply

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