Air Fryer Polenta

Make quick and easy air fryer polenta fries or rounds in less than 20 minutes. No need to pan fry or heat up your oven, you can make these delicious polenta rounds right in your air fryer. The perfect side dish to any meal, even breakfast.

Can you Air Fry Polenta?

Absolutely. I saw one of my friends air fry her sliced polenta the other day and I immediately knew I needed to try it. I experimented with different temperatures and times, and this is what I found worked best for me. 375F and 17 minutes.

The easiest way to do this is to buy a polenta tube and then cut it into circles, spray it with oil, and then cook it. I absolutely love having an air fryer and I love how versatile it is. Check out some of my other favorite air fryer recipes like, Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings, and Air Fryer Hotdogs! The air fryer I use is the Ninja Food Smart XL 6 in 1. I love how large the basket is which means I can fit more in at once.

What is Polenta?

Polenta is a dish made from creamy cornmeal. The corn is finely processed and then added to a liquid to create a creamy consistency, much like mashed potatoes. It originated in Italy and is now a staple in many Italian American households. It is very similar to grits, which is eaten frequently in the Southern part of the United States.

Polenta is naturally gluten free and high in fiber. It is also vegetarian, vegan, and kid friendly. Polenta tastes really great with parmesan cheese, but if you do add some, it will no longer be vegan.

How to Fry a Polenta Tube

In the past I would buy a polenta tube when I was looking for a convenient way to make crispy polenta. I would then cut up the tube into 1/4″ pieces and then pan fry them in shallow hot oil. You can also cut your polenta tube in fries by cutting them into thick strips instead of circles. I also like turning my polenta tube into creamy polenta in a pinch, but using the tube to make crispy polenta is my favorite.

These days I like to use my air fryer in place of frying. I am able to get a crispy result using so much less oil, and it was perfect as a side dish. Just cut the tube into 1/4″ slices, spray them with avocado oil spray, and then add them to an air fryer basket in a single layer. I cooked them at 375F for 17 minutes.

The result was a deliciously crispy outside and a creamy polenta inside. I absolutely love serving these with any meal, even with breakfast.

INGREDIENTS  FOR AIR FRYER POLENTA

• 1 tube Polenta
• Avocado Oil Spray

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Cut the polenta tube into 1/4″ rounds
• Spray the rounds with oil spray
• Cook the polenta in an air fryer at 375F for 17 minutes