Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (2024)

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5 from 12 votes

These crispy polenta fries are super delicious and they are the perfect finger food. This healthy snack is gluten-free, easy to make and plant-based. Enjoy with a creamy cashew garlic dip.

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (1)

Crispy Polenta Fries – Baked or Air-Fried!

Crispy, hearty polenta fries with a creamy cashew garlic dip! Say what?! Yes, this is the perfect finger food recipe which is much healthier than most store-bought snacks. This gluten-free, plant-based snack is amazing for Netflix evenings or even as a side dish. If you love snacks, make sure to also check out these crispy onion bhaji, pakora, or air-fried oyster mushrooms.

It’s a very popular dish in Brazil and I really love it! These crispy polenta sticks are super easy to make, andyou will have a hard time to stop eating them, haha! The recipe is inspired by tasty !

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (2)

Cashew-Garlic Dip

I enjoyed the polenta fries with a creamy cashew garlic dip, which tastes heavenly! It’s made with cashews (obviously), garlic, plant-based milk, and a couple of spices. You simply need to soak the cashews for a couple of hours, OR you can boil them for 20 minutes until they are soft.

Then you’ll just need to process all ingredients in a food processor or blender. I love using my small Ninja Food Processor for all kind of sauces and dips. It works especially great for small quantities, and the price was just $30 US.

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (3)Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (4)Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (5)

How To Make Polenta Fries?

Making these polenta sticks is super easy! Check the full instructions in the recipe card below.

  • All you need to do is cooking cornmeal in a pot with vegetable broth (with the addition of some spices and nutritional yeast flakes aka nooch).
  • Then you’ll need to pour the mixture into a baking dish and let it cool for an hour.
  • Meanwhile, you can prepare the breading and the cashew dip, but both takes only about 10 minutes.
  • Once the polenta mixture is cold and firm, you’ll need to slice it into sticks/fries.
  • I prefer to brush each slice with a little of oil and then coat it with the breading.
  • Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes (425 °F/220 °C), or until golden brown. Flip after 25 minutes and spray with cooking spray.

Air Fryer Polenta Fries

First, spray the basket with oil, then spread a single layer of the fries, leaving space in between, and lightly spray them with oil, too. Air fry at 375 °F/190 °C for 15-20 minutes (based on their size and thickness) or until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to flip them halfway.

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (6)

These Polenta Fries are:

  • Crispy
  • Flavorful
  • Hearty
  • Plant-based (Vegan)
  • Gluten-free
  • Easy to make
  • The perfect finger food
  • Satisfying
  • Great snack or side dish
  • Low in fat (if baked in the oven)

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (7)

Baked, not deep-fried

These gluten-free polenta sticks will turn out crispy even when you bake them in the oven. The secret is to brush them with a little of oil (you only need a tiny bit) and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown and crispy!

If you don’t want to wait 45 minutes until they are crispy and don’t mind deep-fried food, you could also deep-fry them in oil. The method for air fryer polenta fries is mentioned above.

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (8)

Breading

I made my own breading with oat flour (you can use gluten-free oats if you have celiac disease), nutritional yeast flakes, and a couple of spices. You can use Panko breadcrumbs instead of oats.

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (9)

If you make this delicious snack, then please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! And if you even take a photo of it, then I would love to see it. You can DM it to me on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me in your Insta caption + photo with @elavegan and use the hashtag #elavegan, and I will gladly check out your post. 🙂

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (10)

If you love hearty snacks, definitely also check out the following recipes.

More Vegan Snacks

  • Buffalo Chickpea Taquitos
  • Vegan Grilled Cheese
  • Oven Baked Potato Wedges
  • Vegan Parmesan Fries
  • Veggie Fritters
  • Cauliflower Patties

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (12)

Polenta Fries

These crispy polenta fries are super delicious and they are the perfect finger food. This healthy snack is gluten-free, easy to make and plant-based. Enjoy with a creamy cashew garlic dip.

5 from 12 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 292 kcal

Ingredients

Polenta Fries

Breading

Instructions

  • This recipe has a video for easy visual instructions (see below).

  • Pour vegetable broth into a pot, add all spices, sea salt, and pepper and bring to a boil.

  • Slowly add the cornmeal and whisk constantly to prevent lumps. Cook for about 5 minutes on low heat, then turn off the heat.

  • Pour the polenta into a baking dish, lined with parchment paper. I used a 9-inch square pan. Put the pan into the fridge for about 1 hour to set.

  • For the breading, simply put all ingredients into a small bowl and mix with a spoon.

  • Remove the cold polenta from the pan and cut it into equally sized slices. Scroll up to see the step-by-step pictures. Preheat the oven to 425 °F (220 °C).

  • Brush the polenta slices with a little vegetable oil and coat with the breading mixture.

  • Bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Flip after 25 minutes and spray with cooking spray.

  • Enjoy with a dip of choice. Check the recipe notes for my garlic cashew dip recipe.

Notes

  • Check the blog post for the air-fryer method.

Cashew-Garlic Dip:

  • 2/3 cup cashews, soaked (100 g)
  • 2/3 cup plant-based milk or water (160 ml)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Juice of 1 small lime
  • 1/3 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp nutritional yeast flakes
  • Sea salt & pepper to taste

To make the Cashew dip, simply process all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.

  • Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.

Nutrition Facts

Polenta Fries

Amount per Serving

Calories

292

% Daily Value*

Fat

8

g

12

%

Carbohydrates

35

g

12

%

Fiber

8

g

32

%

Sugar

1

g

1

%

Protein

14

g

28

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (13) Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!

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Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free, Vegan Recipe) - Elavegan (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat polenta if you are gluten-free? ›

Basic polenta is made with water and cornmeal. Since these ingredients are naturally gluten-free, a basic polenta should also be gluten-free as well. Typically, water is brought a boil, cornmeal is added, and then the mixture is stirred and simmered until the desired consistency is reached.

What is polenta fries made of? ›

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.

What is polenta made of? ›

Polenta is cornmeal made from ground flint corn. Typically, it's coarsely ground yellow corn, but sometimes it's finely ground yellow or white corn.

Is polenta made from wheat? ›

Semolina is wheat, polenta is corn. 'Polenta' may also refer to the grain or the dish that results from using polenta. There are occasions where you can substitute one for the other, but not all the time.

Is polenta an inflammatory food? ›

Surprisingly, polenta (which is none other than yellow cornmeal) is a powerful source of antioxidants like phenolic compounds, which can help reduce inflammation.

Is Trader Joe's polenta gluten-free? ›

Trader Joe's Organic Gluten-Free Polenta is a pre-cooked and fat-free product. Made from cornmeal, it is a gluten-free option that is suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions.

Is polenta good for your gut? ›

Polenta contains both protein and fiber to help a person feel full. Fiber is also recommended to keep the digestive system functioning properly, to feed healthy gut bacteria, and to prevent constipation.

Is polenta healthier than mashed potatoes? ›

Martha Rose Shulman says polenta is a good alternative for those who have sworn off mashed potatoes because of the carbohydrates and fats, and for those who can't eat wheat and need an alternative to pasta. Or you can eat it because it's delicious.

Are polenta chips healthier than potato chips? ›

Polenta chips are a really tasty alternative to potato chips. They are cheap, easy to make, healthy ….. well healthier when oven-baked and can be served with any meal. They make lovely 'dippers' to dunk into salsas, pestos or any creamy mayonnaise.

Is grits same as polenta? ›

Yes, both grits and polenta are made from ground corn, but the main difference here is what type of corn. Polenta, as you can probably guess from the color, is made from yellow corn, while grits are normally made from white corn (or hominy).

What is polenta called in America? ›

Both grits and polenta fall under the heading of cornmeal, which is essentially a coarse flour, or “meal,” made from dried corn.

What do Italians eat with polenta? ›

Historically, stews, roasted meats, or sausages might be served alongside polenta as a warm and soothing side dish throughout the winter months. In some parts of Italy, polenta can also be topped with different sauces or toppings and served cold, sliced, grilled, or fried.

What is a substitute for polenta? ›

Packages labeled polenta mean that the grind of the corn is appropriate to make the polenta dish, but you can substitute regular medium or coarsely-ground cornmeal instead. Don't use finely ground cornmeal or corn flour which have too fine of a consistency and will give the finished dish a pasty texture.

How healthy is polenta? ›

Polenta is a healthy gluten-free grain and good source of antioxidants that help protect your eyes and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. It shouldn't negatively affect your blood sugar levels as long as you stick to a reasonable portion size.

Are semolina and polenta the same thing? ›

What Is the Difference Between Polenta and Semolina? As polenta is made from corn, it's gluten-free. Semolina, on the other hand, is coarsely ground, high-gluten durum wheat used to make pasta, cakes, and breads.

Is Bob's Red Mill polenta GF? ›

Processed in our dedicated gluten free facility, Gluten Free Yellow Corn Polenta makes a delicious bowl of porridge and can also be used for the classic Italian dish polenta.

What is healthier polenta or pasta? ›

Polenta is high in protein and fiber, but compared to rice, pasta, or potatoes, it's much lower in calories and fat, yet still provides a source of complex carbs that are much-needed for energy. Low in calories and high in nutrients - polenta is a great addition to any healthy diet.

Is polenta the same as grits? ›

Grits are either stone-ground (aka old-fashioned grits), which are ground with the germ intact and have a coarse texture, or quick cooking, which are more finely milled. Polenta is typically made from medium- to coarsely-ground flint corn and tends to have a flakier texture than grits.

Are grits gluten-free? ›

Not only are grits naturally gluten free, but they are also very easy to prepare. In fact, the simplest method of preparation is similar to cooking rice. Check the package your grits came in to see if it comes with a recipe and, if so, give it a try.

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