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- 1 cup cornmeal - 4 cups vegetable broth - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish) You can switch the Parmesan cheese with any cheese you like. Try mozzarella or cheddar for a new taste. If you want a richer flavor, use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth. For those who need gluten-free options, look for gluten-free cornmeal. This way, everyone can enjoy the fries! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Start by pouring 4 cups of vegetable broth into a medium saucepan. 2. Heat it over medium heat until it reaches a rolling boil. 3. As soon as the broth boils, slowly whisk in 1 cup of cornmeal. 4. Keep whisking to avoid lumps in the mixture. 1. Once the cornmeal is mixed in, reduce the heat to low. 2. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently until it thickens. 3. The polenta is ready when it pulls away from the sides of the pan. 4. Remove it from heat and mix in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. 5. Stir until everything is creamy and well combined. 1. Pour the polenta into a greased baking dish. 2. Use a spatula to smooth it out into an even layer about 1 inch thick. 3. Let it cool at room temperature for a bit. 4. Cover and refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours until firm. 1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). 2. Once firm, take the polenta out of the fridge. 3. Carefully cut it into fry shapes, about 1/2 inch wide. 4. Arrange the fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 5. Make sure they are spaced apart for even cooking. 6. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over the fries. 7. Gently toss them to coat each piece evenly. 8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. 9. They should turn golden brown and crispy. 10. Once done, take them out and garnish with chopped parsley. 11. Serve them hot for the best taste! Spacing on the baking sheet is key. When you place the polenta fries, ensure they don’t touch. This helps them cook evenly. Each fry needs space to breathe. It prevents steaming and promotes that lovely crunch. During baking, use a flipping technique. Halfway through, turn each fry. This ensures all sides get golden brown. A gentle flip helps keep the fries intact. The goal is crispy on all sides. For added flavor, consider mixing seasonings. You can try smoked paprika or cayenne pepper. These spices give the fries a nice kick. If you want a fresh taste, add some herbs like rosemary. Serve the fries hot for the best taste. The crispiness shines when they’re fresh from the oven. Let them cool for just a minute before eating. I recommend pairing your polenta fries with dips. Marinara sauce is a classic choice. It offers a nice contrast to the crispy texture. A creamy ranch or garlic aioli also works well. When serving, presentation matters. Arrange the fries in a neat pile. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color. A side of dipping sauce adds flair and fun. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, always opt for freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-packaged options. Chill for Crispiness: Allowing the polenta to chill and set properly in the fridge helps achieve that perfect crispy texture when baked. Flavor Variations: Experiment with different seasonings like smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick in your polenta fries. Serving Suggestions: Pair your fries with various dips, such as garlic aioli or a zesty salsa, to enhance the flavor experience. {{image_4}} You can change the taste of your polenta fries easily. Adding herbs like rosemary or thyme gives a fresh twist. Spices such as paprika or cayenne can add heat and depth. You can also mix in cheese beyond Parmesan. Cheddar or feta can boost flavor. You can prepare these fries in different ways. Air frying gives a crunchy texture with less oil. Just set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for about 15 minutes. If you prefer, you can pan-fry them. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown for a rich taste. Think about fun ways to serve polenta fries. You can create loaded fries by topping them with cheese, bacon, or jalapeños. Pair them with dips like marinara or garlic aioli for extra flavor. They also go well with a fresh salad or grilled veggies for a complete meal. To keep your leftover polenta fries fresh, follow these tips: - Refrigeration: Place the fries in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. They can last up to 3 days in the fridge. - Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the fries in a single layer. After they freeze, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can stay good for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy your fries again, here’s how to reheat them: - Oven Reheating: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the fries on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until they are hot and crispy. - Alternative Methods: You can also use an air fryer. Set it to 375°F (190°C) and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method works great for keeping them crispy. To make your polenta fries nice and crispy, follow these tips: - Use a thin layer of polenta when spreading it in the baking dish. - Ensure your fries are not touching on the baking sheet. This helps them crisp up. - Flip the fries halfway through baking for even browning. - Bake at a high temperature to achieve that crunchy texture. Yes, you can make this recipe vegan! Here are some ideas: - Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. - Use vegetable broth to keep it plant-based. - For extra richness, add a vegan cream instead of cheese. These fries pair well with many dips and dishes: - Serve with marinara sauce for a classic combo. - Try a zesty garlic aioli for a creamy twist. - They also go great with a fresh salad or grilled veggies. Here's a quick breakdown of the time needed: - Prep time: 15 minutes - Cooling and setting time: 1-2 hours - Cooking time: 25-30 minutes Overall, plan for about 1 hour and 15 minutes before you can enjoy these tasty fries! This blog post covered how to make crispy Parmesan polenta fries. We discussed the required ingredients, with tips for substitutions. I provided clear step-by-step instructions for preparation and cooking. We explored ways to achieve the perfect crispiness and shared serving ideas. Finally, I included storage tips and answered your common questions. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and textures in this versatile dish. Use the tips to create your own tasty variations. Happy cooking!

Crispy Parmesan Polenta Fries

Deliciously crispy fries made from polenta and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • to taste fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized saucepan, pour the vegetable broth and bring it to a rolling boil over medium heat.
  • As the broth begins to boil, gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Continue whisking vigorously to ensure there are no lumps in your mixture.
  • Once all the cornmeal is incorporated, reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer while stirring frequently for approximately 10-15 minutes. The polenta is ready when it thickens significantly and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is fully combined and creamy.
  • Pour the polenta into a greased baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula to create an even layer about 1-inch thick.
  • Let the polenta cool at room temperature for a little while, then cover and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours or until it has fully set and is firm to the touch.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) while the polenta chills.
  • Once the polenta has set, carefully remove it from the dish and cut it into fry shapes, approximately 1/2 inch wide.
  • Place the polenta fries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are spaced apart in a single layer to promote even cooking.
  • Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the fries and gently toss them to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping the fries halfway through the cooking time. They should emerge golden brown and crispy.
  • Once done, take them out of the oven, garnish with finely chopped parsley, and serve immediately while they’re hot and fresh!

Notes

Pair with marinara sauce or a creamy dip for added flavor.
Keyword appetizer, fries, Parmesan, polenta