Description
Delicious and crispy polenta fries served with a flavorful marinara sauce, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quick-cook polenta meal (Bob’s red mill works great)
- 3 cups water or broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon mixed fresh herbs (like rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano) or 2 teaspoons dried herbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or vegan butter)
- 2 cups Quick and Easy Marinara or store-bought
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon each capers and kalamata olives, chopped small
- burrata or fresh mozzarella slices (or vegan cheese)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil. Add salt and the polenta slowly, whisking all the while. Add herbs if using.
- Turn the heat down and stir for about 5 minutes over a simmer (be careful of polenta splatters!). Turn down to low with a lid on for another 5 minutes. Give a stir, put the lid back on and turn the heat off and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Pour into a flat pan (no need to oil) about 8 x 10 inches. You want the polenta to be close to 1/4 inch thick. Spread the polenta out and smooth the top with an oiled metal spatula. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Loosen the edges and flip the pan over onto a cutting board (place the cutting board on top of the polenta pan and then turn them over together, so that the polenta pan is upside down on top of the cutting board– let it sit there a minute until the polenta drops onto the cutting board).
- Cut the polenta into french fry shapes about 1/4 inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Brush with olive oil and place on the air fryer rack so that there is a little space between each fry.
- Bake in the air fryer at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Toss them around a little and bake 5 minutes more, until the edges are golden brown.
- In a small shallow oven-proof pan, sauté olive oil with minced garlic and red pepper flakes over medium heat just for 1-2 minutes, pour in marinara, add capers and olives heating until warm.
- Place burrata or sliced fresh mozzarella over the top and broil until the cheese is soft and melty.
Notes
- This dish can be served as an appetizer or a snack.
- Feel free to use different herbs according to your preference.
- Make sure to space out the polenta fries in the air fryer for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg