Polenta Croutons
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!
PrintPolenta Croutons
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Salad Topping
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
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!
Ingredients
- 1 (18oz) tube polenta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- 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 the baking sheet. 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.
Looking for other tasty salad toppings? These whole wheat croutons are another tasty way to add crunchy to your salad!
What’s your favorite salad topping?
Polenta croutons are my favorite. They are always easy to make and are just perfect to my taste!
What a great way to use polenta. I am definitely trying this.
Homemade croutons are the best. Hadn’t thought about making them from polenta. Excited to try these!
I love new spins on tasty croutons so this is going to be a fast favorite! Great idea of serving these on a delicious soup! Yum!