Easy Polenta Chips (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

Polenta chips are a preferred replacement to the traditional potato chips thanks to their low calories. You will basically get around 70 calories per 100 grams of cooked serving. Polenta is also

Once you learn how to cook with polenta, a whole new world of options will open up to you. During my transition to a plant-based diet, I had to improvise and learn how to cook with a lot of new ingredients. But I also learnt that vegans are thrifty and can make a whole new awesome dish, like potato chips from something as simple and cheap as polenta.

What are polenta chips?

Polenta chips are essentially chip-shaped bits of polenta (or mamaliga as we call it in Romania). Polenta chips are versatile and can be eaten as a side or dunk into ketchup just as normal potato chips. They are not mushy at all and can be made crisp and delicious, baked or fried.

In Italy, polenta chips are called scagliozzi and usually made with polenta leftovers, once the polenta hardens overnight.

Scagliozzi are slices of polenta, generally left to dry a few days after preparation to lose some of its water content and to be fried without dissolving in boiling oil.

Polenta chips are popular in Naples, where they are sold as street food all around the city. You will find them alongside other fried delicacies like arancini, croquettes, sciurilli.

In the city of Scagliozzi, they are typically sold in the fryer and constitute one of the staple foods of the traditional diet. I

Polenta chips can be eaten alone or accompanied by pieces of melted (vegan) cheese, olives or various sauces. We love adding ingredients during the preparation of polenta chips, so the tastes develop better during the cooking process.

How to make polenta chips?

To make polenta chips you will need two basic ingredients: polenta (cornmeal) and water. Then we love adding nutritional yeast so the polenta chips develop a cheesy taste and a little vegan butter for a creamier texture. We add fresh herbs like oregano and rosemary and a little paprika and cumin. Polenta chips is a super versatile dish so feel free to improvise and add your own herbs and spices of choice. Don't forget to let us know your version of the recipe in the comments section below.

To make polenta chips you must first make polenta. This part is super easy and takes just a few minutes. Add the water and salt to a non-stick pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the polenta, oregano, rosemary, cumin, paprika and nutritional yeast. Whisk continuously to prevent any lumps. Turn the heat down and simmer until is thickened for around 3 minutes.

Add the butter and whisk again until you get a nice, smooth paste. Spread the mixture in a shallow but large square tray. You want it quite shallow as otherwise, your polenta chips might become too chunky.
Let it cool uncovered on the counter or in the refrigerator until it becomes solid.

Eat polenta chips with

• Vegan Steak
• Vegan Sausages
• Italian Panzanella
• Romanian Cabbage Rolls (Sarmale)

Preheat the oven to 175C / 350F. Slice the solid polenta into polenta chips. You can do them chunkier or thinner, it's entirely up to you. You can even do them in triangle shapes if you want. Drizzle them with olive oil and bake for 5-10 minutes until they become a little crispier on the outside. You can also fry them in shallow oil in a frying pan if you prefer them crispier (although this version is not as healthy).

This recipe has been developed entirely by Yuzu Bakes. Any resemblance with other recipes is purely coincidental.

Polenta Chips

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• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total: 15 mins
• Serves 6 people

Categories: Appetizer, Baked, Sides, Snacks Cusine: East European, Italian

Description

This is about making quick and easy polenta chips. Learn how to make the best vegan polenta chips which are incredibly delicious and made with nutritional yeast and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

(USA / Metric)

Click for Mamaliga Recipe (Romanian Polenta) Recipe

• 1 cup polenta
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp vegan butter
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin (optional)
• 3 tbsp olive oil (optional)
• 1 tsp Sesame seed (optional)

Instructions

• 1. Add the water and salt to a non-stick pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the polenta, oregano, rosemary, cumin, paprika and nutritional yeast. Whisk continuously to prevent any lumps. Turn the heat down and simmer until is thickened for around 3 minutes.
     Add the butter and whisk again until you get a nice, smooth paste. Spread the mixture in a large, square tray.
  2. Let it cool uncovered on the counter or in the refrigerator until it becomes solid.
     Once the polenta is fully set and cold, take it out of the tray and place it on a large chopping board.
  3. Preheat the oven to 175C / 350F.
     Using a knife, cut it in the shape of chips. You can do chunky chips or thinner wise to resemble fresh fries.
     We prefer them slightly thicker for a nicer bite.
  4. Arrange your polenta chips on top of a baking paper, on a large baking tray. Bake them for about 5-10 minutes. If you want the polenta chips to be a little crisp, drizzle them with olive oil before baking them. The oil will create a slight crust on the polenta chips.
     Season with salt and pepper and serve hot with dipping sauce or as a side.
  5. You can also fry the polenta chips in shallow oil in a frying pan. This will make the polenta chips a lot crispier but it is not the healthiest version of polenta chips. Either way, they will taste amazing.
  6. Optional: Sprinkle some sesame seed over the hot polenta chips for added texture.

Nutritional Information

Total Nutrition Facts

Serves 6 people

Amount Per Serving
Calories 137
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11 g			15%
	Saturated Fat 3 g		17%
	Trans Fat 0 g		7%
	Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
	Monounsaturated Fat 6 g
Cholesterol 10 mg			3%
Sodium 536 mg			23%
Total Carbs 7 g			3%
	Dietary Fiber 3 g		9%
	Sugar 0 g		0%
Protein 4 g			8%
Vitamin A 7% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 4% Iron 6% Vitamin D 0% Magnesium 5% Potassium 2% Zinc 7% Phosphorus 10% Thiamin (B1) 48% Riboflavin (B2) 20% Niacin (B3) 15% Vitamin B6 10% Folic Acid (B9) 0% Vitamin B12 2% Vitamin E 10% Vitamin K 8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice

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