Baked Polenta Sticks Recipe

Cornmeal or polenta is a very versatile carbohydrate that does not contain gluten. With it we can prepare both sweet and savory dishes, so that the possibilities it offers us are practically endless and also suitable for coeliacs. However, in this case, together, we will teach you how to make a healthy and easy recipe: baked polenta sticks.

You can use them as a main dish, side dish or starter. Either way they are delicious and they are much lighter than if we cook them fried. Read on and discover with us how to make polenta sticks, you’ll love them!

Ingredients to make baked polenta sticks:

• 1 cup quick cook polenta
• 3 cups of water (720 milliliters)
• 3 tablespoons grated cheese (optional)
• 1 bay leaf

How to make Baked Polenta Sticks:

1. To start preparing these crispy and original polenta sticks, boil the 3 cups of water with the bay leaf in a large saucepan.
2. You can also cook the polenta with vegetable broth or milk if you prefer.
3. Lower the heat to a minimum and pour the polenta in the form of rain. Stir constantly until cooked through and thickened, breaking up any lumps if they form.
4. Tip: the cooking time will depend on your polenta and it will say so on the package, but in general it is between 1 and 3 minutes.
5. If you wish, season the polenta with the grated cheese. If you want to make vegan polenta sticks, don’t miss our vegan mozzarella cheese recipe.
6. Tip: Skip this step if you must follow a strictly low-sodium diet.
7. Pour the polenta into a rectangular or square container, cover it and put it in the fridge.
8. Chill for at least 1 hour so you can later cut the polenta sticks and cook them in the oven
9. Tip: keep in mind that the polenta will take the shape of the container you choose, so one with flat edges will be easier to assemble the sticks.
10. After the time, cut the canes of the desired size.
11. Take them to a baking sheet with a little oil or on a silicone plate.
12. Sprinkle them with the smoked paprika and brown them in the oven at 200ºC for approximately 30 minutes.
13. Halfway through cooking, you can flip them for even browning. Do it carefully, because before they are crispy they disarm easily.
14. Accompany your crispy baked polenta sticks with a salad as a main dish or serve them as a starter accompanied by assorted sauces.