Oven Baked Polenta Fries

A fun way to use creamy polenta leftovers.

5 from 2 votes

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Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: fries, polenta

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Resting Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 354kcal

Ingredients

4 Cups Chicken Stock or broth or vegetable stock or broth
1 Cup Dried Polenta
8 Oz Jack Cheese cubed
¾ Cup Flour
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
Sprinkle Sea Salt
Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese optional, for garnish
Sprinkle Fresh Parsley optional, for garnish
1 Cup Prepared Marinara for dipping

Instructions

To Make the Polenta (Skip and jump to how to make the polenta fries, if using leftover polenta)

In a food processor or high speed blender, add the dried polenta and ground to a fine meal. Set aside. Cut the jack cheese into ½ inch cubes.
In an 8 quart saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Slowly whisk in the ground polenta. Continue whisking, the polenta will start to thicken almost immediately. As the polenta thickens (will only take 1-2 minutes), turn the stove down to medium-low.
Using a wooden spoon or heat safe spatula, stir in the jack cheese. Continue stirring until the jack cheese has completely melted. (2-3 minutes)
Turn off the heat, cover with a lid and let rest 5 minutes.
Pour polenta into a glass baking dish (8x10). Allow the polenta to cool and firm up 4 hours - overnight.

To Make the Polenta Fries

Preheat the oven to 400F
Brush the baking sheet with olive oil.
Carefully remove the now solid polenta from the baking dish and place on a cutting board. Use a butter knife and gently release the polenta from the edge of the dish if needed.
Slice the polenta into french fry size strips about ¼ inch thick and 4 inches long.
Lightly coat each polenta fry in flour, be sure to gently tap off any excess flour, and add to the baking sheet.
Spray or drizzle the fries lightly with olive oil (I like how evenly the spray distributes the oil, but it's optional).
Bake the fries for 10 - 12 minutes, remove from oven.
Gently flip the fries over to cook the other side. Use a spatula and a fork to gently flip the fries to prevent them from breaking. Bake another 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Sprinkle with salt and parmesan cheese when fresh from the oven.
Plate and serve with your favorite marinara or pesto sauce.

Nutrition

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