Baked Polenta Croutons
I love the taste of polenta croutons and decided to make some with a tube of pre-made polenta I had in the refrigerator. I cut the polenta into cubes then tossed it with some olive oil, parmesan, and seasonings before baking them. The croutons turned out crisp on the outside and soft and delicious on the inside. My kids couldn’t stop nibbling on them before dinner. These croutons are delicious on their own, on salads, or topped on chili.
How to Make Baked Polenta Croutons
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove the wrapper from the polenta then cut into four equal pieces lengthwise. Cut each piece into thirds then dice into bite-sized pieces. Don’t bother making them perfectly square.
Toss the diced polenta in a bowl with some olive oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Toss to coat them evenly. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet.
Place into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until golden brown and crisp on the outside but still tender on the inside, about 10-15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 18 oz tube of pre-cooked polenta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese grated
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove the wrapper from the polenta then cut into four equal pieces lengthwise.
- Cut each piece into thirds then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Don't bother making them perfectly square.
- Toss the diced polenta in a bowl with some olive oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Toss to coat them evenly.
- Pour onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Place into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Flip and continue to cook until golden brown and crisp on the outside but still tender on the inside, about 10-15 minutes.
So crisp and wonderful! Bet they make a perfect salad topper!
I bet polenta makes delicious croutons. Kudos to you for thinking of that variation.
What a great idea and as a big fan of fried cornmeal mush (polenta), I’m sure I would love these and fight your kids for them. I must try this method – baked with your coating.
I have never seen it in tubes that must be an American thing. I love polenta. Have a good week and take care Diane
I will say the same of Diane I never seen thses polenta tubes! Here I find only the usual polenta . Love this idea, Hugs !
GENIUS! I’ve made cornbread croutons before and they are absolutely delicious…but these sound even better.
i didn’t even know they made polenta in a log like that–cool! i’ve never had a polenta crouton either…you’d think i was living in a cabin in the woods! 🙂
I went to a restaurant and the croutons on the salad were so good and different! I asked the waitress what kind of croutons were these, she said polenta. Thanks now I know how to make them, they are so delish!
Sherry,
I’m so glad you liked them. Thanks for letting me know!
-Pam