Air fryer polenta fries

Pile of crispy air fried polenta fries on tray with marinara dipping sauce.

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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Air Fryer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Keyword: easy snack, gluten free side dish

Servings: people

Calories: 79kcal

Author: Cadry Nelson

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 of salt
Dash of 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.

Video

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.

Nutrition