Air-Fryer Polenta Fries: Crispy, Quick, And Easy!

Air fryer polenta fries are a delicious, healthier alternative to regular deep-fried French fries. They are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, making them perfect for dipping into your favourite sauce. You can make polenta fries in an air fryer in less than 20 minutes, and they are a great vegan and gluten-free option.

Choosing the right polenta

Type of Polenta

You have two main options when it comes to choosing polenta: pre-cooked polenta or home-cooked polenta. Pre-cooked polenta, also known as store-bought or prepared polenta, comes in tubes or blocks and offers convenience. It is ready to be cut into fries and cooked in your air fryer. This option is perfect if you want a quick and easy snack or side dish.

On the other hand, home-cooked polenta involves making polenta from scratch. This method gives you more control over the ingredients and allows you to add your preferred flavours. However, it is more time-consuming and requires additional preparation steps before cutting and air-frying.

Flavours and Add-Ins

Polenta is a versatile ingredient that can be enhanced with various flavours and add-ins. When choosing polenta for your fries, consider the following options:

• Flavoured Polenta: Pre-cooked polenta often comes in different flavours, such as traditional Italian polenta, garlic, or cheese. Selecting a flavoured option can add depth to your fries without any extra effort.
• Herbs and Spices: Enhance the flavour of your polenta fries by adding dried herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley. You can also incorporate spices such as garlic powder, chilli powder, or smoked paprika. These additions will elevate the taste of your fries and make them even more irresistible.
• Cheese: If you're a cheese lover, consider adding some grated Parmesan cheese to your polenta. This will take your fries to the next level, but it's important to note that adding cheese will make the dish non-vegan.

Texture and Consistency

The texture and consistency of polenta are essential factors to consider when choosing the right polenta for fries. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Firmness: For polenta fries, it is crucial to use firm polenta that holds its shape when cut into fries. Avoid very soft or runny polenta as it will not yield the desired crispy texture.
• Thickness: Opt for a thicker polenta as it will be easier to cut into fries and handle during the air-frying process. Thicker polenta fries will also have a satisfying bite and a creamy texture on the inside.
• Cooling and Refrigeration: If you're making home-cooked polenta, ensure it has adequate cooling and refrigeration time. This step is vital for the polenta to harden and set properly before cutting and air-frying.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Options

Polenta is naturally gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for those with gluten intolerance or following a gluten-free diet. Additionally, polenta fries can easily be made vegan by avoiding the addition of cheese or other non-vegan ingredients. Be mindful of these factors when choosing polenta to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences.

Cutting the polenta into fries

The first step to making polenta fries in the air fryer is to cut the polenta into fry shapes. The polenta should be cut into thin strips, about 1/4" thick, to resemble French fries. You can also cut the polenta into wedges or circles if you prefer.

To cut the polenta into fries, start by opening a tube of prepared polenta and laying it on its side on a cutting board. Cut the polenta tube in half, then stand those halves up and cut each one straight down the middle. Now you should have four sections. Cut each of those sections in half again so that you have eight slabs total. Lay the slabs flat and cut each one into four equal-sized fries.

If you are using pre-cooked polenta, it is recommended to pat the polenta dry before cutting it into fries. This will help to ensure that the polenta fries are not too moist and will result in a crispier final product.

It is important to cut the polenta into fries that are all roughly the same size so that they cook evenly in the air fryer. Thicker fries will take longer to cook, so keep that in mind when cutting your polenta.

Once you have cut the polenta into fries, you can move on to the next step of coating them with oil or cooking spray and seasoning them with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.

Adding seasoning

The great thing about polenta fries is that you can season them with almost anything you like. The polenta has a very mild taste, so seasoning is key to enhancing the overall flavour.

You can keep it simple with salt and pepper, or add other herbs and spices like basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, chilli flakes, garlic powder, or Italian seasoning. If you want to add a bit of heat, cayenne pepper or chilli powder are great options. You could also use truffle salt or smoked paprika for a more unique flavour profile.

If you're using dried herbs and seasonings, sprinkle them on after spraying the polenta fries with oil. Use your hands to gently toss the fries so that they're evenly coated. You can also add another spray of oil after seasoning if you like.

For a simpler approach, you can just use salt and pepper, or a basic Italian seasoning blend. If your polenta tube is already seasoned, you may not need to add much extra seasoning.

Don't be afraid to experiment and find the combination that you like best!

Cooking the fries in the air fryer

Once you've cut your polenta into fry shapes, it's time to cook them in the air fryer.

First, preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While that's heating up, place your polenta fries in a large mixing bowl and spray them with oil. Then, add your seasonings. You can use salt and pepper, dried basil, dried oregano or parsley, granulated garlic, rosemary, thyme, chilli flakes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, or chilli powder. Toss the polenta fries in the bowl so they're evenly coated in the oil and seasonings.

Next, place the polenta fries in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they're not overcrowded, as this will prevent them from browning nicely and make them difficult to flip. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the polenta fries in batches.

Cook the polenta fries for 10 minutes, then flip them with a spatula and cook for another 5-10 minutes until crispy. Remove the fries from the air fryer and serve.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer polenta fries are a great snack, appetizer, or side dish. They can be served on their own or with a variety of dips and sauces. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer polenta fries:

Dips and Sauces

• Ketchup
• Ranch dressing
• Barbecue sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Garlic aioli
• Sriracha mayo
• Buffalo sauce
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Basil pesto
• Sweet chilli sauce

As a Side Dish

Polenta fries can be served as a side dish with a variety of meals, such as:

• Burgers
• Chicken dishes
• Baked fries
• Italian dishes
• Sandwiches
• Soup
• Eggplant parmesan sandwich
• Air fryer stuffed peppers
• BBQ jackfruit sandwich
• Buffalo chickpea sandwich
• Grilled steak
• Air fryer hamburger
• Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders
• Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
• Air-fried hot dogs

Variations

You can also experiment with different shapes and seasonings for your polenta fries. Try cutting them into wedges, rounds, or chips, and season with herbs and spices like basil, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning.

Frequently asked questions