Fried Polenta

Fried polenta is a whole new way to enjoy polenta! Creamy homemade polenta is cooled, cut into fries, then fried to crispy perfection. Yum!

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 17

Cooling Time 30

Total Time 57

Servings servings

Calories 211

Grease a 9X9-inch baking pan liberally with olive oil.
Bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in a pot. Salt the water. Whisk in the polenta. Keep whisking until it absorbs the water. Stir in one more cup of water along with the garlic powder and olive oil. Reduce the heat to a low and simmer until the polenta has thickened nicely.
Pour the polenta into the prepared baking pan and smooth it into an even layer with a rubber spatula. Allow the polenta to cool to room temperature.
Pour the canola oil into a 2-quart pot. Heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°F). Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature. Line a plate with paper towels.
Once the polenta has set, turn it out onto a cutting board and cut it into equal-sized strips (about 3 inches long by ½ inch thick).
Fry the polenta strips for 3 minutes, flipping them with a spider skimmer every 30 seconds or so. Do not crowd the oil. Fry in batches if you need to (be sure to bring the oil back to temperature between batches). Remove the fried polenta from the hot oil with a spider skimmer and transfer them to the prepared plate.
Serve the polenta fries warm sprinkled with vegan Parmesan and fresh parsley.

The nutritional information does not include the oil for frying, as most of it is discarded.
To store: Keep your leftover fried polenta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until crispy again. The air fryer also works well!
To freeze after frying: Place fried polenta in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as instructed above.
To freeze before frying: You can also freeze the uncooked polenta strips and fry them straight from the freezer. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the frying time.