Create delectable air fryer polenta rounds in under 20 minutes with ease. Skip the stovetop or oven – simply pop these savory polenta rounds into your air fryer for a hassle-free cooking experience.
Ideal as a side dish for any meal, including breakfast, they’re a quick and versatile addition to your culinary repertoire.
What Is Polenta?
Polenta is a traditional Italian dish made from coarsely ground yellow cornmeal. It can be prepared and served in various ways, such as creamy and smooth like porridge or cooled and sliced into shapes for grilling, frying, or baking.
Polenta has a mild flavor and a versatile texture, making it a popular staple in Italian cuisine and beyond. It can be served as a side dish, base for savory toppings, or incorporated into various recipes as a main ingredient.
Can You Air Fry Polenta?
Yes, you can absolutely air fry polenta! Air frying is a convenient and efficient way to cook polenta, resulting in crispy and delicious results without the need for excessive oil or frying. Simply cut your polenta into desired shapes, season as desired, and air fry until golden brown and crispy on the outside. It’s a quick and healthy alternative to traditional frying methods.
If you love easy Air Fryer Recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Polenta Fries, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, Deviled Eggs Without Mustard, or Air Fryer Ranch Ham and Cheese Pinwheels.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Quick and Convenient: Air fryer polenta offers a fast and hassle-free cooking experience, allowing you to enjoy crispy and flavorful polenta fries or rounds in minutes without the need for extensive preparation or cleanup.
- Healthier Option: By using the air fryer instead of traditional frying methods, you can enjoy the crispy texture of polenta with significantly less oil, making it a healthier alternative for satisfying your fried food cravings.
- Versatile Dish: Air fryer polenta is incredibly versatile and can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack, adding a delicious crunch to any meal. You can also customize the seasoning and dipping sauces to suit your taste preferences.
- Crispy Texture: The air fryer yields perfectly crispy results, giving your polenta fries or rounds a golden brown exterior while maintaining a soft and creamy interior, creating a delightful contrast in textures with each bite.
- Kid-Friendly: With its crispy and flavorful appeal, air fryer polenta is a kid-friendly option that’s sure to please even the pickiest eaters, making it a
Ingredients Needed For Air Fried Polenta
Here are the simple ingredients to air fry polenta.
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post and the nutritional information.
- Precooked Polenta: Precooked polenta is a convenient option that eliminates the need for cooking cornmeal from scratch. It’s typically sold in tube-like packages and provides the base for making crispy polenta fries or rounds in the air fryer.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour binds the ingredients together and helps give structure to the polenta cakes.
- Large Eggs: Beaten eggs act as a binding agent, helping to hold the polenta cakes together and adding moisture.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs provide a crispy exterior when the polenta cakes are fried, adding texture and crunch to each bite.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds savory flavor and richness to the polenta cakes, enhancing their overall taste and aroma.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential seasonings that add flavor to the polenta fries or rounds. They help to enhance the natural taste of the polenta and provide a well-balanced seasoning profile.
- Optional Seasonings: Additional seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or Italian herbs can be added to customize the flavor of the polenta rounds according to personal preference. These seasonings add depth and complexity to the dish.
- Dipping Sauce (optional): Dipping sauce such as marinara, aioli, or pesto can be served alongside the air fried polenta as a flavorful accompaniment. It adds a delicious contrast of flavors and textures, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the dish.
How To Cook Polenta In Air Fryer
Here are the step-by-step directions to cook polenta rounds in air fryer.
Open up the package and remove the wrapper. Cut off the rounded ends (optional) and slice them into thin rounds.
Season rounds with salt and pepper on both sides and coat lightly with all-purpose flour. Dip each round into beaten egg yolk, and then dredge in breadcrumb mixture (1:1 ratio of breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese, seasoned with a bit of salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder).
Air Fry the coated polenta rounds for about 12-15 minutes, at 380 degrees F, using air fryer setting, on each side until golden brown and crispy. Set finished polenta aside on a wire cooling rack so they stays crispy during the plating process.
Pro Tips
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Slice Evenly: For consistent cooking, slice your polenta into even-sized pieces. This ensures that each fry or round cooks at the same rate, resulting in uniform crispiness.
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Preheat the Air Fryer: Just like with traditional frying methods, preheating your air fryer helps achieve optimal results. Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the polenta to ensure even cooking and crispy exteriors.
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Don’t Overcrowd: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Cook the polenta in batches if necessary to prevent them from sticking together and ensure they crisp up evenly.
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Use Cooking Spray: Lightly coat the polenta with cooking spray or oil before air frying to help them achieve a crispy texture. This also helps the seasonings adhere better and enhances browning.
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Flip or Shake: Flip the polenta fries or rounds halfway through cooking or give the basket a shake to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. This helps achieve consistent crispiness and prevents any uneven browning.
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Experiment with Seasonings: Get creative with your seasoning choices to customize the flavor of your air fryer polenta. Try adding herbs, spices, or grated cheese to enhance the taste and complement your meal.
Can I use homemade polenta for air frying? Yes, you can use homemade polenta for air frying. Allow the polenta to cool and firm up before slicing it into fries or rounds and air frying them.
How do I store leftover air fried polenta? Store leftover air fried polenta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
Can I freeze air fried polenta? Yes, you can freeze air fried polenta for up to 1 month. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Reheat them in the air fryer from frozen until heated through and crispy.
What dipping sauces pair well with air fried polenta? Air fried polenta pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, aioli, pesto, or ranch dressing. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.
Can I reheat air fried polenta? Yes, you can reheat air fried polenta in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a preheated oven or toaster oven.
What to serve with polenta cakes: Serve polenta cakes alongside a selection of air fried vegetables such as air fryer zucchini, air fryer bell peppers, air fryer eggplant, or air fryer cherry tomatoes for a colorful and flavorful meal.
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Air Fryer Polenta Lasagna Cakes
Description
Ingredients
- 1 tube polenta
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powde
Serving:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup Burrata cheese
Instructions
- Open up the package and remove the wrapper. Cut off the rounded ends (optional) and slice them into thin rounds.
- season rounds with salt and pepper on both sides and coat lightly with all-purpose flour. Dip each round into beaten egg yolk, and then dredge in breadcrumb mixture (1:1 ratio of breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese, seasoned with a bit of salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder).
- Air Fry the coated polenta rounds for about 12-15 minutes, at 380 degrees F, using air fryer setting, on each side until golden brown and crispy. Set finished polenta aside on a wire cooling rack so they stays crispy during the plating process.
- Plate the polenta rounds – start with a smear of marinara sauce (or other red sauce of your choice), top with the prepared polenta, sprinkle some arugula (or greens of your choice) and finish with a few pieces of burrata. Top with a bit of flaky salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket or Air Fryer Oven
- Olive Oil Spray
Nutrition
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bearclawflower
These turned out delicious! 🔥🔥🔥♥️