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Home » Recipes » School Lunches

Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites

Modified: Jul 11, 2022 · Published: Aug 27, 2019 by Melissa

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Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites, a simple and kid friendly snack you can customize to suit everyone.

Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites on a white plate. Some are topped with vegan cheese and tomato.

I don't know about your kids, but after school mine are a couple of ravenous little monsters ready to devour any and everything in sight. No matter how much they eat at lunch, when they walk through the door in the afternoon, the first thing they want to do is get a snack. I can't say I blame them though. Lunch time is quite early in the day and they are expected to go another 4-5 hours before eating again. So, in an effort to have something healthy on hand and ready to go when the little monsters get home I make these Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites.

Polenta bites on a white plate with vegan cheese and tomato toppings.

These polenta bites start with a very basic recipe for making polenta which is just corn grits and water. Add a few seasonings and nutritional yeast and then all that's left to do it let the mixture set. Very little effort is needed, but you do need to plan for an hour or so to allow the mixture to set up.

Once the mixture is set simply cut into squares. I cut it into 16 squares about two inches in size, but you could cut even smaller squares for a truly bite sized piece.

Polenta in a square baking dish sitting on a gray towel.
Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites with cheese and tomato

topping ideas and tips

You can dress these up anyway you like really. Sautéed mushrooms, sliced olives, jalapeños, add fresh basil leaves with the tomato. So many different ways to suit everyone's taste. A great idea would be to have the polenta prepared up to the baking step before the kids get home from school. Then let them top how they like and bake. Super simple and healthy snack to tide them over until dinner time!

Polenta bites on a white plate.

If you make a recipe, I would love to know how it turns out! You can leave a comment and rating below or snap a pic and tag it @weelittlevegans on Instagram so I’ll be sure to see it!

Recipe

Vegan Cheesy Polenta Bites

Melissa
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Servings 16 squares

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup polenta or corn grits
  • 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • ¼ -½ cup vegan cheese optional
  • sliced tomatoes, olives, spinach, etc.

Instructions
 

  • Lightly grease an 8 inch square baking dish and set aside.
  • Bring water to boil in a large sauce pan.
  • Slowly add polenta, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook, stirring often until polenta is tender and water has been absorbed, 5-10 minutes.
  • Stir in nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
  • Pour polenta into prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Allow. to cool and firm, about 1 hour.
  • Cut polenta into 16 squares and transfer to a baking sheet. Heat broiler.
  • Sprinke with cheese and add tomatoes, olives, or any other garnishments.
  • Broil until cheese is melted, cool briefly and serve.
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Hi, I'm Melissa!

Longtime vegan and mom of four little vegans. I share simple recipes our family loves and my tips for raising healthy, happy vegan kids.

About me

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