Polenta Fries

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Polenta Fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside for the ultimate healthy side dish. Made simply with polenta, olive oil, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning, you won’t be able to get enough of this mouth-watering dish!

147 CAL 19g CARBS 5g FAT 5g PROTEIN 4
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I love French fries as much as the next person. However, with all their unwanted sodium, saturated fats, and carbohydrates, I’m always looking for healthier alternatives. From Healthy Carrot Fries to Spicy Green Bean Fries, I’ve tried just about every healthy fry alternative in the book.

Or so I thought. Enter: Polenta Fries. Polenta is coarsely ground cornmeal with a texture and consistency similar to that of grits. It has a subtle, corn-like flavor that is super versatile for any combination of spices. If you’ve never tried polenta fries, then it may seem crazy, but hardened polenta actually has a fantastic texture for french fries.

One of the greatest things about these fries is that they are unbelievably easy to make. When using pre-packaged polenta, these tasty fries come together in just 30 minutes. Easy, quick, and delicious—what’s not to love?

If you’re looking to really take this recipe to the next level, you can make Polenta Fries using homemade polenta. Instead of using the prepackaged kind, you can make your own polenta from scratch. Wait for it to cool and harden, then cut it into fries and follow the recipe. I don’t typically go this route, but I know some people love making their own.

This healthy side dish is perfect for pairing with all your favorite burgers and sandwiches. I’ve served it for my family dozens of times and it’s always been a huge hit in my home. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think in the comments!

We also love making these creamy Polenta Bowls and Baked Polenta with Italian Vegetables when we are craving that delicious polenta flavor.

Polenta cut into french fries on a cutting boaes.

What Is Polenta?

Polenta is an age-old Italian delicacy made from coarsely ground cornmeal. It has a flavor and texture reminiscent of grits, and its subtle corn flavor pairs well with just about almost anything that you pair it with.

Polenta is super easy to make from home, using just a few basic ingredients. All you have to do is bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add your cornmeal. Turn the heat to low and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Then, butter a baking dish and pour in the mixture.

Let it cool to room temperature and it will solidify into polenta as it cools. If you don’t have the time for this, you can find packaged polenta at most grocery stores!

Key Ingredients

To make these delicious crispy fries, you will need just a few key ingredients:

  • Polenta. Polenta is made of ground cornmeal, water, butter, salt, and pepper. When baked into fries, it gets crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making it the perfect potato alternative for homemade fries.
  • Parmesan cheese. Parmesan adds tons of delicious, cheesy flavor to these healthy fries. For a gooier cheese, try swapping out the parmesan for mozzarella cheese.
  • Italian seasoning. I love seasoning my Polenta Fries with Italian seasoning, but you could really use any spices you prefer. If you want to make Italian seasoning at home, just combine basil, fresh oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Recipe Tips

Here are my top tips for making the best homemade Polenta Fries:

  • If making your polenta from scratch, play around with the recipe! You can add your favorite spices and even some parmesan or mozzarella cheese.
  • If making your polenta from scratch, it will need at least an hour in the refrigerator to set before you are able to slice it into fries. Make sure you plan accordingly with this in mind.
  • If you are opting for prepackaged polenta, be sure to pat it dry before cutting it into fries. This will help to ensure that the fries get nice and crispy.
  • Make sure to cut your fries into even strips to ensure that they cook evenly. I recommend cutting your polenta into long, horizontal sheets, then cutting those in half. Then, slice them into fries that are about ½ inch thick.
  • To make these fries vegan, swap the parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast still has an umami-rich cheesy flavor and tons of nutrients.

Crispy baked polenta fries on a baking sheet with Italian seasoning.

Polenta Fries Seasoning Ideas

Although this recipe calls for Italian seasoning, you can really use any seasoning that you would like for these delicious Polenta Fries! Here are a few ideas for spices and herbs that pair well with fries:

  • Red pepper flakes or cayenne powder
  • Paprika or smoked paprika
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried parsley
  • All-purpose seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning

How to Store Polenta Fries

If you happen to have any leftovers (which is a rarity in my household), you can easily store them to save for later. Just transfer your leftover fries in an airtight storage bag or container, then store them in one of two ways:

  • In the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
  • In the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this healthy side dish recipe:

Polenta is a nutritious gluten-free grain that makes for a delicious source of antioxidants. Compared to regular french fries, polenta fries are lower in carbohydrates, sodium, and calories, making them an excellent healthier substitute.

Fried polenta has a mild corn flavor that is similar to grits or cornbread. One of the great things about polenta is how easily it can adapt to the flavors of whatever it’s paired with. Therefore, these fries are incredibly easy to season to suit your preferences.

Polenta fries can be seasoned in all sorts of ways. I typically go with the classic Italian seasoning, but you could really use whatever seasoning you like. For spicier fries, try sprinkling some red pepper flakes over them. For a cheesier flavor, bake them under a thin layer of gooey mozzarella cheese.

Oven baked polenta fries with crispy browned edges on a baking sheet with ketchup.
The Recipe
Polenta fries baked with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning served with ketchup on the side.

Polenta Fries

147 CAL 19g CARBS 5g FAT 5g PROTEIN 4
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 30 Min
TOTAL TIME: 35 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 18 oz prepared polenta tube
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper

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Instructions

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1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or cooking spray. Cut the polenta tube into fries. I find the easiest way to do this is to cut into long horizontal sheets, cut in half, and then slice into fries. You can choose the thickness of the fries, thinner fries will cook faster.

Polenta tube being cut into french fries.
2

Toss with the polenta fries with olive oil. The toss with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and fresh pepper.

Polenta french fries being tossed with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.
3

Place in one layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes until nice and crispy. If needed you can broil them at the end to help crisp them up.

Baked polenta fries on a white baking sheet with parchment paper.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 4.5 oz.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147
Calories from Fat 47
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g
8%
Saturated Fat 2g
8%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 5mg
2%
Sodium 501mg
22%
Total Carbohydrate 19g
6%
Dietary Fiber 2g
6%
Sugars 1g
Protein 5g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes

Optional: 1-2 tbsp. seasoning – Cajun, Greek, Italian, etc.
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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Polenta Fries
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Sheila
March 30, 2022 - 07:34
I wonder if you could make this in an air fryer?
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