Polenta Croutons

Name: Polenta Croutons
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Salad Topping
Ingredients: 1 (18oz) tube polenta; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and pepper to taste

Jump To Recipe by Liz Thomson April 14, 2024 This post may contain affiliate links.

These crispy baked polenta croutons are a delicious topping to add to your favorite soup or salad! With just a few simple ingredients, these delicious croutons can be made in minutes!

I love adding croutons to my soups and salads. There’s just something about the salty crunchy that adds such a fun texture to big bowl of greens or a cozy bowl of tomato soup. When I had some leftover polenta sitting in my fridge, I decided to try turning it into croutons and I’m so happy I did. If you’re looking for a healthy crouton recipe, definitely give this one a try!

Types of Polenta

Polenta is made from cornmeal. It can be served warm, as a creamy porridge, or it can be cooked and cooled until firm. This recipe works best with cooked polenta that has been cooled, so it can be sliced. This recipe is easiest with the pre-cooked polenta that comes in a tube. If you’ve been wondering how to cook a polenta log, try turning it into baked polenta croutons!

Where to Buy Polenta

While dried polenta or cornmeal is usually sold in the flour aisle, the pre-cooked polenta that comes in a tube can usually be found in the refrigerated produce section (near the tofu) or near the refrigerated fresh pasta and Italian foods. The tube looks like a short, fat tube of cookie dough. I’ve found it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Publix.

How to Make Polenta Croutons

This recipe is quick and easy! Slice the tube of polenta into quarters, length wise. Then slice the quartered logs into 1/2″ pieces.

Place the chopped polenta into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Spread the polenta onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Be sure the polenta is in a single layer.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning once halfway through baking. Bake until golden brown and crispy.

Add the polenta to a salad or bowl of soup. Serve immediately.

How to Reheat Leftover Croutons

These croutons are best served immediately. But if you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the croutons on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 4-5 minutes until crispy. Alternatively you can reheat them in an air fryer at 390 degrees for 2-3 minutes. Store leftover croutons in the fridge.

How to Use Polenta Croutons

These are great as a salad topping! Try them on this vegan caesar salad or on top of this chopped vegetable salad. They’re also delicious on top of a bowl of soup. Try them on top of this creamy tomato soup!