Crispy Baked Polenta Fries (Easy Gluten Free Recipe)
Crispy baked polenta fries, aka polenta chips, are golden brown, gluten-free, and topped with parmesan and rosemary. Absolutely irresistible!
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If you love crispy fries but want something a little different (and honestly a little more fun), these baked polenta fries are about to become your new favorite side dish.
They’re crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and finished with fresh rosemary (straight from my garden-see pic below!) plus grated parmesan for the perfect savory bite.
Even better? They’re baked on a baking sheet until golden brown, so you get all the crispy goodness without deep frying.
Serve these polenta fries (aka polenta chips) as an appetizer, snack, or gluten-free side dish. Once you try them, you may never go back to regular fries!
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Polenta Fries
What are polenta fries?
Polenta is a traditional dish from Northern Italy made with ground yellow corn. It’s cooked with water, broth, or milk and served warm. Or it can be allowed to cool and set, then cut into slices.
Polenta fries are baked or fried sticks made from cooked polenta. After the polenta firms up, it’s sliced into fries or chips and baked until crispy and golden brown.
They’re a delicious gluten-free snack or side dish – perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces!
Baked Polenta Fries Ingredients
- Tube of pre-cooked polenta. Or, see recipe notes to make your own.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Or, avocado oil.
- Grated Parmesan cheese. Crumbled feta or goat cheese would be delicious too!
- Rosemary. Fresh or dried.
- Optional seasonings(if you make your own polenta): Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, nutritional yeast.
- Optional dipping sauce: Marinara, garlic aioli, pesto, ketchup, or any favorite sauce.
👩🍳 Chef’s Note: I have made these polenta fries with Ancient Harvest polenta and Trader Joe’s pre-cooked polenta. Both work equally well. You used to be able to buy Ancient Harvest polenta with quinoa (but not anymore), which is why my fries are speckled!
How to Make Crispy Baked Polenta Fries
Oh, my goodness! These crispy polenta fries are so easy to make. So delicious. And, dare I say it, a little bit healthy too!
- Slice the polenta. Cut the pre-cooked polenta tube in half on a cutting board. Then cut each half into 16 fries. You’ll have 32 fries altogether. This is the perfect thickness, IMO, but you can cut your polenta into larger or thinner fries/chips as you like.
- Arrange on a baking sheet. Lay polenta fries in an even layer on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Too many fries? Use another baking sheet to ensure a single layer and ultra-crispy, crunchy fries! Lightly brush fries with olive oil.
- Bake. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes until light brown and crispy. You may wish to turn the fries every 15 minutes to get them extra crispy.
- Add toppings. While the fries are baking, combine the rosemary and Parmesan in a small bowl and set aside. Remove fries from the oven when done. Place them on a serving dish, then sprinkle the Parmesan-rosemary mixture on top.
- Enjoy. Serve while hot and crispy!
Note: I haven’t tried making air fryer polenta fries, but I think this method would work well, and the baking time would be much quicker. See FAQ for Air Fryer recommendations and LMK how they turn out!
What to Serve with Polenta Fries
These polenta fries are all kinds of carby deliciousness! But since we’re into balanced meals here at The Spicy RD, we serve them with protein and lots of veggies. Sound good?
I like to pair these with turkey burgers, pan-seared salmon, or a rotisserie chicken and veggies for a super easy meal. Or, try them paired with any of the salads below.
- Easiest Ever Chickpea Salad
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Strawberry Arugula Salad
- Spinach Mozzarella, Tomato, & Chickpea Salad
- Easy Lentil Salad with Kale, Tomatoes, & Almonds
Nutrition
- These polenta fries are naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and low FODMAP, making them suitable for the Mediterranean diet and low FODMAP diets. Omit the cheese, and they’re vegan.
- Rosemary is an anti-inflammatory herb and may help prevent cancer due to its antioxidant carnosol. (1)
- Each serving of fries provides 11 grams of fat (only 3 grams of saturated fat), most of which is from heart- and brain-healthy extra virgin olive oil.
Check it out! You may also like: 7 Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan-Healthy, Delicious, & Gluten-Free
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? (Rare, but possible.)
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the oven, air fryer, or a skillet. Avoid the microwave if you wantto keep them crispy!
Easy Polenta Fries with Rosemary and Parmesan
Ingredients
- 1 tube polenta, i.e. Ancient Harvest or Trader Joes, ~18-oz
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Cut polenta tube in half, then cut each half in to 16 "fries". You should have 32 fries from an 18-oz tube.
- Place polenta fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and brush olive oil on fries.
- Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes, or until light brown and crispy. You may wish to turn the fries every 15 minutes to get them extra crispy.
- While the fries are baking, combine the rosemary and parmesan cheese and set aside in a small bowl.
- Remove fries from oven when done. Place them on a serving dish and sprinkle the parmesan cheese/rosemary mixture on top. Serve while nice and hot.
Notes
Make your own polenta
If you can’t find a tube of pre-cooked polenta, make your own. I use Bob’s Red Mill Organic Corn Grits/Polenta and make the basic recipe for quick grits (see package instructions) with water, vegetable, or chicken stock, spread it on a rimmed baking sheet or square baking dish lined with plastic wrap, and let it set for 2 hours or overnight, then cut it into fries.Substitutions & Optional Ingredients
- Olive oil spray or avocado cooking spray.
- Additional seasonings. Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, other fresh herbs, or dried Italian herbs.
- Other cheeses, like feta or goat cheese. Or vegan Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Tomato sauce or any favorite dip to dunk your crispy fries in.
Nutrition
Polenta Fries FAQs
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