Polenta is a cornmeal-based dough that’s basically a blank canvas for all sorts of creations! These air fryer parmesan polenta cakes are one of my favorite ways to prepare them, since they make for a great appetizer or snack!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Using slices of precooked polenta gives you an easy head start on this recipe. Simply slice, season, and air fry! You’ll get a golden crust on the outside thanks to your air fryer, while a soft and warm interior melts in your mouth.
While I love the salty parmesan with these polenta slices, they lend themselves well to a variety of different flavors including garlic, herbs, and more. You can always change things up and create a new favorite!
You can top your polenta cakes with pizza sauce and cheese to make mini air fryer polenta pizzas! Alternatively, pair your polenta slices with a protein to make a full meal. The possibilities are endless!
These yellow corn polenta cakes are also naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so they work for different dietary restrictions too if you’re accommodating different needs. However, they’re delicious even if you don’t have restrictions!
Katie’s tip
If you love cheesy appetizers, make sure to check out my air fryer cranberry brie bites, or keep it Italian with some air fryer mozzarella arancini rice balls!
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Ingredients List
- 18 oz tube precooked polenta (such as San Gennaro)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
- Nonstick spray
- 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
- Favorite dipping sauce (like marinara sauce)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- An 18-ounce roll of polenta should give you about 12 slices. You can usually find pre-cooked polenta rolls in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, near tofu
- The amounts of cheese and seasonings may be adjusted to taste (but this is a good starting point)! For some other good seasoning options try garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, rosemary, thyme, or basil
- You may substitute dairy free or vegan cheese for the parmesan if needed to meet dietary restrictions
- Other good dipping sauce options include ketchup, garlic aioli, or a chipotle or sriracha mayo!
How to Make Air Fryer Parmesan Polenta Cakes
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F
- Remove the wrapping from around your tube of polenta and remove excess moisture by dabbing with a paper towel
- Using a sharp knife, cut the polenta into roughly ½” thick slices
- Brush each side of the polenta cake with olive oil (or use olive oil spray or cooking spray)
- Season both sides with garlic salt and pepper to taste (approximately ½ tsp of garlic salt and ¼ tsp of pepper in total is a good starting point)
- Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the basket or tray with nonstick spray
- Add seasoned polenta slices to the preheated air fryer basket or rack in a single layer, allowing air space between each round
- Cook polenta cakes on the air fry setting for 25-30 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through until edges are browned
- Sprinkle about 2 Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese over the polenta cakes
- Return to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is browned
- Top with additional cheese or fresh parsley if desired, and serve with a side of marinara sauce for dipping!
Alternate Oven Directions
- Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet, and add the polenta in a single layer. If you don’t have a wire rack, you can also preheat the baking sheet as the oven preheats – just use caution when adding the polenta to the sheet
- Bake in an oven preheated to 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until crisped
- Add the parmesan cheese and broil 2-3 minutes, until browned and melted
What Goes Best With Polenta
- Cheese
- Tomato-based sauces
- Chorizo
- Root vegetables
- Legumes
- Stew
- Sausage
- Chicken
- Squash
- Ribs
- Shrimp
As you can see, there are a variety of different foods that go well with polenta!
Try my savory air fryer kielbasa for a melt-in-your-mouth sausage, or keep it veggie forward with air fryer roasted butternut squash slices or air fryer ratatouille. Alternatively, serve alongside some air fryer roasted tomato soup in place of a grilled cheese!
Recipe FAQs
Does Polenta Get Crispy in the Air Fryer?
Yes, polenta does get crispy in the air fryer, at least on the exterior.
Add a little oil or butter to help the process, but you’ll get a crisp, golden browned crust on the outside. The inside stays soft and granular, so it’s rather like eating soft cooked cornmeal.
In fact, if you cook them long enough you can actually crisp up the interior and turn it into a polenta chip.
What Does Tubed Polenta Taste Like?
Tubed polenta tastes like cooked, ground corn. It’s very mild in flavor which makes it a great base for building other flavors onto.
If you like cornbread or masa in tamales, then you’ll likely enjoy the flavor and texture of tubed polenta.
Is Polenta Good in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Polenta is great in the air fryer because it develops a crispy, golden-brown exterior while staying soft on the inside.
You can air fry pre-cooked polenta slices (store-bought or homemade) or even cut into french fries or bites for a crunchy snack.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Skip the parmesan and marinara and instead top the polenta cakes with pizza sauce and mozzarella for mini air fryer polenta pizzas
- Cook this recipe for 40-45 minutes instead to create polenta chips that are crispy all the way through
- Alternatively, make air fryer polenta fries by cutting the slices into ½” thick sticks instead. Dippable and delicious!
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer term storage, place in a container with plastic wrap or wax paper between layers, and freeze up to 3 months
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes, or in the oven at 375°F for 7-10 minutes until warmed through and recrisped around the edges
More Recipes for Corn Lovers
Final Thoughts
These air fryer parmesan polenta cakes are so easy to make! They’re a perfect appetizer on their own, or tasty as a side or base for another dish as well. I love to serve them for game day, Thanksgiving, or any time I’m entertaining and need a simple finger food option.
The golden brown exterior gives way to a soft interior that simply melts in your mouth. Plus, you can season them a variety of different ways and serve with different dippers to customize them just the way you like.
Katie’s tip
Check out some of my best air fryer butternut squash recipes for additional pairing ideas!
Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Polenta Cakes
Equipment
- Utility knife
- Oil mister or basting brush
Ingredients
- 18 ounce tube precooked polenta (such as San Gennaro)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic salt (or more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
- Nonstick spray
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)
- Marinara for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F according to manufacturer guidelines
- Remove the wrapping from around your tube of polenta by carefully slicing off one end and squeezing it out from the other, then pat it dry18 ounce tube precooked polenta
- Using a sharp knife, cut the polenta on a cutting board into roughly ½” thick slices
- Spray or brush each side of the polenta cakes with the 1 Tbsp olive oil1 tbsp olive oil
- Season both sides of the polenta slices with garlic salt and pepper to taste (approximately ½ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp of pepper in total is a good starting point, but add more if you like)½ tsp garlic salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Once the air fryer is preheated, spray the basket or tray with nonstick sprayNonstick spray
- Add seasoned polenta slices to the preheated air fryer, allowing air space between each round
- Cook polenta cakes on the air fry setting for 25-30 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until edges are browned
- Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of grated parmesan cheese over the polenta slices, then return basket to the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned2 tbsp parmesan cheese
- Top with additional parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired, and serve with a side of marinara for dipping!Marinara for dipping
Notes
- An 18-ounce roll of precooked polenta should give you about 12 slices
- If preferred, you can make this recipe into air fryer parmesan polenta fries instead. Simply cut the slices of polenta again, into fry-shaped sticks about ½” in thickness.
- Top your polenta cakes with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese cheese to make mini air fryer polenta pizzas
- You may add more of any seasoning or cheese to suit your tastes
- Dairy-free or plant based cheeses may be substituted in place of regular parmesan if desired
- The outside will be crispy but the inside of these polenta cakes should still be soft. If you wanted to make polenta chips (entirely crispy throughout) cooking for around 40-45 minutes should get you there
- Exact nutritional values will vary depending on specific brand used, quantities of seasonings, and total amount consumed, so please consider this as only a guideline or estimate
Nutrition
