Crispy Polenta Slices (Air-Fried)
Crispy Polenta Slices (Air-Fried) Looking for a tasty way to use that tube of polenta sitting in your pantry? Transform it into a batch of polenta bites! They’re super easy to make in an oven or air fryer and can be seasoned with just about any flavor for a fun appetizer or snack.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 31kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 18 oz tube precooked polenta
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or more to taste
- 2 tablespoon grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- ¼ cup of thin slices of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- Favorite dipping sauce like marinara sauce
Instructions
Prep sauce:
- If you're planning to serve these with sauce—and I highly recommend it—go ahead and make a homemade sauce before prepping the polenta. Of course, a really good store-bought marinara will work beautifully too and save you some time!
Preheat the air-fryer:
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Slice and prep the polenta:
- Next, grab your tube of polenta. Carefully slice off one end, then gently squeeze it out onto a cutting board. Pat the polenta dry with a paper towel to help it crisp up nicely. Using a sharp knife, cut into ½-inch thick rounds.
- Brush or spray both sides of each polenta slice with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and season with a little sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Prep air-fryer:
- Once your air fryer is ready, spray the basket or tray with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the polenta rounds in a single layer, making sure there’s space between each one so they get nice and crispy.
Cook in the air-fryer:
- Air fry at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through, until the edges are beautifully golden brown.
Add on some cheese:
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of grated Parmigiano cheese over the tops of the slices and pop them back in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and a little toasty.
Serve with sauce:
- Top with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano or fresh chopped Italian parsley, if you'd like. Serve warm with your favorite sauce for dipping
Notes
- Yield: An 18-ounce roll of precooked polenta sliced ½" thick should yield 12 slices
- Make polenta fries: Instead of the polenta slices, you could make polenta fries. about ½” in thickness.
- Polenta pizzas: Spoon on some pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to make air fryer polenta pizzas.
- Season: Add whatever other seasonings you would like to your taste.
- Dairy-free: Use any plant based cheese in place of regular parmesan if desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 31kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.1g | Protein: 0.01g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 581mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.04mg