🥨 Snacks

Vegan Fried Polenta (Polenta Frita)

Polenta Frita is a beloved staple across Brazil and Italy — creamy, soft polenta that sets firm, then cut into sticks and fried until golden and crisp on the outside, while staying tender inside. This fully vegan version uses simple plant‑based ingredients to get that perfect texture and rich corn flavour, with no dairy, butter, or eggs. It makes a fantastic snack, side dish, or appetizer — great with ketchup, hot sauce, or vegan cheese sprinkles.

Shared by tom

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Time

40 min

Serves

Difficulty

easy

🛒 Ingredients

#Creamy Polenta Base;
1 cup fine yellow cornmeal / polenta flour
4 cups vegetable stock or unsweetened plant milk
1 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter,, ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper,, ½ tsp garlic powder or dried herbs (optional)
#For Frying;
2–3 tbsp cornstarch or plain flour (for light coating)
Neutral oil for deep or shallow frying
Optional topping: nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1
Cook the polenta: Bring stock or plant milk to a gentle simmer. Whisk in the cornmeal slowly to avoid lumps. Keep stirring over low heat for 15–20 minutes until very thick, smooth, and pulling away from the sides of the pan. Stir in oil/butter and seasonings.
2
Set it: Pour the hot polenta into a lightly greased square or rectangular container. Smooth the top, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours until completely firm and solid.
3
Cut: Turn out the set polenta onto a board and slice into thick batons or squares. Dust lightly with cornstarch or flour all over — this helps them crisp up and not stick.
4
Fry: Heat oil to medium‑high heat. Fry in small batches for 2–3 minutes per side until deep golden and crisp all over. Drain well on paper towels.
5
Serve: Sprinkle with extra salt, herbs, or nutritional yeast if you like. Enjoy hot with your favourite sauce.