Herbed Vegan Polenta Fries
Are you ready to step up your french fry game? These flavorful polenta fries are a must-try. Don’t worry, there’s no deep fryer necessary! Just pop ’em in the oven and get ready to wow your friends with this unique side dish.
These vegan polenta fries are not only delicious but make for an aesthetically pleasing part of your plate. The yellow provides a pop of color while the long shape of the fries provides a fun dynamic. Because they get soggy quickly, we recommend eating your fries all up in one go!
Get your apron on, your cutting board ready, and let’s get to work!
Why Polenta Fries are So Awesome
Polenta fries are a delicious and unique twist on classic fries that are sure to impress. They offer a satisfying combination of crispy and creamy textures, while also being naturally gluten-free. Plus, they’re easy to make and pair perfectly with all kinds of tasty dips and seasonings!
- Crispy on the Outside, Creamy on the Inside. Polenta fries have the perfect texture contrast! The crispy exterior gives way to a creamy, soft center, making every bite a delightful combination of crunch and smoothness.
- Naturally Gluten-Free. Polenta, made from cornmeal, is naturally gluten-free. That means everyone can enjoy these fries, even those avoiding gluten. It’s an easy snack or side dish that fits into many diets.
- Easy to Make. With just a few simple steps, you can turn cooked polenta into delicious fries. Cut the chilled polenta into sticks, bake or fry, and you’ve got a fantastic snack in no time!
- Versatile Flavor. Polenta fries are a blank canvas. You can season them with herbs, spices, or even a sprinkle of zesty vegan parmesan for extra flavor. Plus, they go well with a variety of dips and dressings, too!
- Healthier Alternative to Potato Fries. When baked, polenta fries can be a healthier alternative to regular fries (including air-fryer sweet potato fries). They’re lower in fat, especially if you bake them with just a bit of oil, and still give you that satisfying fry experience!
Key Ingredients
The key ingredients for making polenta fries are what give them their amazing texture and flavor. From the creamy polenta base to the herbs and cheese that add richness and depth, each component plays a crucial role. Plus, there are plenty of easy swaps to customize the recipe to your taste or dietary needs!
- Polenta Grits – The foundation of the recipe, giving the fries their unique texture. When cooked, they become creamy but firm up when cooled, creating the perfect structure for crispy fries. You can use cornmeal instead of polenta grits, though the texture may be slightly finer and less gritty.
- Vegan Mozzarella – Adds richness and a gooey texture to the polenta, enhancing both flavor and creaminess. It helps the fries hold together better when baked or broiled. Use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. Skip the cheese for a lighter version.
- Vegan Butter – Lends moisture and a rich, buttery taste to the polenta, making the fries more flavorful and creamy. It also helps with the overall texture and mouthfeel. You can use olive oil or coconut oil for another dairy-free alternative.
- Olive Oil – Brushed on the fries before broiling, it helps them get that crispy, golden exterior. It also adds a nice subtle flavor. Use any neutral oil, like avocado or sunflower oil, for a similar crispiness.
- Spices – Rosemary and sage bring earthy, aromatic flavors to the polenta fries, elevating their taste and adding a herby kick that pairs well with the crispy texture. You can swap these spices for thyme, oregano, or Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile, or go with garlic powder and paprika for a more savory kick.
How To Make These Corn-Based Fries
Making polenta fries is easier than you might think and delivers delicious results. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can turn creamy polenta into crispy fries that are perfect for snacking or as a side dish. Plus, they’re very versatile, allowing you to customize flavors and cooking methods to your liking!
Step 1: Cook the Polenta – Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a saucepan, combine water, polenta, herbs, and salt, then bring to a boil over medium heat while stirring.
Lower the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the vegan cheese and butter.
Step 2: Chill the Polenta – Pour the hot polenta mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow it to set.
Step 3: Cut and Broil – Preheat the broiler. Flip the chilled polenta onto a cutting board and cut it into 4-inch fry-shaped spears.
Place the fries on a greased baking sheet, brush them with olive oil, and broil 4 inches from the heat for about 15 minutes, watching closely until they turn golden brown.
Step 4: Serve – Transfer to serving plates and enjoy!
Pairing Up Your Polenta Fries
Looking for some ideas on how to best enjoy your polenta fries? Here is a list of just a few of our favorite ways to pair up these delicious fries!
- Simple and Spicy – If you’re the kind of person whose plate is not complete without a kick, then you’ll love this vegan buffalo queso. This queso also makes an excellent burger topping!
- Rainbow Wrap Time – Looking to add some color to your plate? These rainbow lavash wraps are the perfect complement to polenta fries and also feature a hearty serving of veggies for a well-rounded meal. You could even stick a few of the fries inside the wrap for some extra excitement!
- Keeping It Classic – No fry is complete without a burger by its side and these chipotle black bean burgers with BBQ sauce are absolutely perfect for a summer meal or backyard gathering. These are also great for making ahead of time!
- Level Up Your Lunch Game – Treat yourself to the an absolutely delightful lunch with this vegan BLT sandwich with homemade eggplant bacon to go along with your polenta fries! This pairing is also a great way to show your friends and family that eating vegan is anything but boring.
- Dare to Dip – These fries are scrumptious with delicious dips and dressings such as oil-free and creamy dill, vibrant green goddess dressing, Italian marinara sauce, and creamy vegan aioli.
FAQs
Made from coarsely ground corn, polenta is a staple dish in Italy and is very versatile as a comfort food. This recipe calls for grits, not the ready-made tube of polenta that is meant for super-quick meals. Corn grits come in two types of grind—stone-ground and consistent grind. Either kind is totally up to you! Just know that stone-ground offers a bit more variance in terms of texture and color.
To store leftover polenta fries, let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. Refrigerate them for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply bake or air fry them at 375°F (190°C) until they’re crispy again!
Polenta fries are usually made from polenta, water, butter (in this case, vegan butter), salt, and pepper. The cooked polenta is made by boiling cornmeal with water or broth until it thickens. The polenta is then allowed to cool and firm up, typically in a pan. Once set, it’s cut into fry-shaped sticks, which are baked or fried to get crispy on the outside while staying creamy inside.
More Comforting Corn-Based Recipes
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Herbed Vegan Polenta Fries
Ingredients
- olive oil, for brushing
- 3¼ cups cold water
- 1 cup dry polenta grits , aka corn grits, not quick-cooking, should be a dry gritty texture not a fine flour
- 1 teaspoon sage, chopped
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, chopped
- ½ cup vegan mozzarella cheese, we use Daiya
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, we use Earth Balance
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Grease a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish.
- Combine water, polenta, herbs, and salt in a saucepan and bring to boil over medium heat while stirring. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, continuously stirring for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vegan cheese and butter.
- Pour hot polenta mixture into your greased baking dish and spread evenly, flattening it into the dish using a spatula. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat broiler. Pop the chilled polenta onto a cutting board and cut into 4-inch long french fry shaped spears. Place on a greased baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Broil about 4 inches from heat until golden—about 15 minutes. Watch it like a hawk and pull your polenta fries out the moment they start to brown.
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Notes
Nutrition
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Leave a Comment
This is good very healthy
This is a really interesting mix, so I would definitely try this out! Super Yummy looking.
YUM! I’ve been obsessed with potato fries lately so this recipe is great to mix it up a bit!!
These polenta fries are so so good! They are so easy to make and such a nice variation to the classic potato fries 🙂
If you’ve never tried polenta before, this is the perfect recipe to get an idea of how tasty it can be! Totally worth the time to make these fries. A really great snack, too!
These are MAGICAL!!! Such a brilliant way to use polenta.
I love these polenta fries! They’re such a nice switch-up from “regular” fries!