Description
Make perfectly crispy polenta fries using your air fryer. This recipe details cooking the polenta, chilling it for slicing, and air frying until golden brown and crunchy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup instant or quick-cooking polenta
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Slowly whisk in the polenta. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring constantly for 5 to 7 minutes until the polenta is thick.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pour the cooked polenta into a lightly oiled 8×8 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly to about 3/4 inch thickness.
- Let the polenta cool completely at room temperature for 1 hour, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm.
- Once firm, invert the polenta onto a cutting board. Cut the block into fry shapes, about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long.
- Lightly brush or spray the polenta fries with a little extra olive oil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius).
- Place the polenta fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- For easier removal from the pan, line the baking dish with parchment paper before pouring in the polenta.
- You can freeze the cut polenta sticks after step 6. If cooking from frozen, add 3 to 5 minutes to the air frying time.
- For a different flavor, substitute the Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a vegan option.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 10