Name: Crispy Polenta Fries
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 212 min
Ingredients: 1.5 cups cornmeal (dry); 4.25 cups water (or vegetable broth); 2 T thyme (fresh, chopped fine); 2 T rosemary (fresh, chopped fine. May substitute 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning if desired.); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp pepper

These crispy corn meal fries are a healthy whole grain that is crunchy and delicious to eat.

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These Crispy Polenta Fries are baked until they are crispy on the outside and soft and creamy in the center. This whole food, plant-based recipe makes homemade fries created from cornmeal. Enjoy these for a delicious side dish, appetizer, or tasty snack.

Cover photo Crispy Polenta Fries ready to be served

What is Polenta?

Polenta is a dish from northern Italy that is made from ground cornmeal. It can be served as a side dish or main course, usually topped with sauce and meat.

In this recipe, polenta is cut into sticks and baked to make crispy chips or fries.

How to Flavor Polenta

This recipe can be adapted to suit your individual taste preferences by adding different spices.

We used classic Italian flavors for our polenta in this recipe.

Polenta has a corn flavor, a soft but slightly grainy texture, and will take on many spice combinations. Try some of these:

garlic or onion powder for a mild but flavorful option
cumin, chili, and lime for a Mexican or Southwest flavor
poultry seasoning for a comfort food flavor that goes well as a side dish with chicken, pork, or beef
steak seasoning for a bold taste
season salt to taste most like fast food French fries
Parmesan or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor

Weight Watchers Points for Polenta Fries

The serving size for this points friendly Polenta fries recipe is 1/6 of the batch, which is 20-25 fries.

One serving is 4 WW points for the Weight Watchers plan for 2023. Click here to track this recipe directly in the WeightWatchers app.

Ingredients for Crispy Polenta Fries

One of my favorite features of this recipe is that it requires only a handful of ingredients, and most of the time I already have the ingredients on hand to make this vegetarian WeightWatcher recipe.

cornmeal, dry
water or vegetable broth
thyme fresh, chopped fine – optional
rosemary fresh, chopped fine. May substitute 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning if desired – optional
salt
pepper

This recipe is:

naturally gluten-free
dairy-free
egg-free
Whole Food, Plant Based (WFPB)
Vegetarian and vegan
great for all WW plans

What Else Can I Use Polenta For?

While these fries are a delicious side dish, polenta can also be used as an alternative to pasta. It’s especially popular in the colder seasons as it warms you up. If you want to up the crisp level for this Weight Watchers recipe, you can cut them into chips instead of fries or sticks.

To ensure they are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, it is important not to cut them too thick. The more thinly you slice them, the more crispy they will become.

Can I Use A Store Bought Tube of Polenta?

Yes! You can substitute a store-bought tube of precooked polenta by slicing one large tube into 1/8-inch fries and baking as directed below.

However, I personally find that homemade polenta sticks taste the best.

If you can get them, fresh herbs added to the cornmeal will really make the flavors in this recipe sing.

If you are using a store-bought tube of polenta, you will need to calculate the points as they will differ from my recipe based on the ingredients used. Be sure to choose a pre-packaged option that does not include additional fat, oil, or sugar.

How Do I Store Baked Polenta Fries?

Polenta fries can be kept in the refrigerator for two days covered with saran wrap. Reheating the leftovers is very easy, just reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes, or in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes. I personally like to reheat my polenta fries in the air fryer as they get crispier.

You can reheat these in the microwave, but they will be soft instead of crispy.

Can I Make Polenta Fries in the Air Fryer Instead Of The Oven?

Yes. Making polenta fries in the air fryer is easy. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees and then cook the corn fries for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are crispy.

Just a tip about air frying when you want a crispy result – do not overcrowd your air fryer basket, and give it a shake or stir every 5-10 minutes.

Can I Freeze Baked Polenta Sticks?

Yes, you can freeze polenta sticks, taking care to place the sticks well spaced on a tray to prevent them from sticking. Once frozen, they can be transferred to a freezer bag. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to preserve crispy texture. Polenta can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I Make Polenta Chips With This Recipe Instead of Fries?

Yes. Just slice the polenta into thin slices, bake at 350 degrees until crispy and golden on both sides. Try using a mandolin to get very thin slices of polenta if you like your chips extra crispy.

What Should I Dip Polenta Fries In?

Here are some options for dips and sauces to go with your baked cornmeal:

guacamole
yellow mustard
ketchup
light mayo
hummus
barbecue sauce
spicy ketchup
hummus
Greek yogurt ranch dip
tzatziki sauce

How to Make Polenta Fries – 5 Easy Steps with Photos

Here’s how to make this low calorie and low point polenta chips recipe.

Step 1 – Gather Ingredients

polenta fries ingredients — Gather ingredients – you may have everything you need already in your pantry.

Step 2 – Cook & Whisk Polenta

Put water or broth in small saucepan, then put on high heat to boil on your stovetop burner.

You will have the option to add flavorings and spices a little later.

add cornmeal and stir for polenta — Be sure to constantly mix so the polenta does not stick to the bottom of the pot.

When boiling, gradually pour in cornmeal while whisking constantly.

It’s important to continue whisking so that cornmeal is smooth and without lumps.

Add fresh herbs and salt, then your chosen seasonings.

thickened cornmeal — It will take a few minutes for the cornmeal to come together – be patient.

Step 3 – Simmer Polenta to Thicken

Once cornmeal begins to thicken, reduce heat to low.

Continue to cook and stir for 8-10 minutes. Mixture should be the consistency of a thick puree.

Step 4 – Pour into Pan & Allow to Cool

While the polenta is cooking, prepare a loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper.

polenta line wth parchment — Parchment paper makes it easy to release the polenta from the pan.

Pour cornmeal mixture into the loaf pan.

Cover the loaf with another sheet of parchment and press the polenta mixture until flat and smooth. (A soup can works well for this.) Allow loaf to cool and harden for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.

Remove polenta loaf from pan by turning over onto a cutting board. Remove parchment paper.

Step 5 – Cut into Fries & Bake

Preheat oven or air fryer to 375 degrees.

polenta loaf — Refrigerate polenta “loaf” for at least 2 hours.

Now you are ready to slice your polenta into sticks, fries, or chips. Feel free to make them thick or thin according to your preference.

crispy baked polenta fries — The cold polenta will slice beautifully. The more thinly you slice them, the more crispy they will become.

Place fries onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or into the air fryer basket. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning once during cooking time.

polenta fries plant-based — You’ll love how these “fries” taste, and the crispy texture is divine.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.

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