Yes, you can reheat polenta. Polenta is coarse and flakier than grits. Do not mistake grits for polenta since both are from corn. This article shows different ways to reheat polenta and tips to store the dish to retain its tasty flavor. Choose your method wisely, paying attention to availability, convenience, and time.
Skillet
A skillet reheats your polenta in two ways. Cut the frozen polenta into smaller logs and fry them in the skillet or fry the meal.
Steps
- Heat your skillet over medium-high heat with 2 cups of frying oil.
- Drop in the polenta pieces and fry until the sticks turn golden brown.
- Place the polenta batch on dry paper towels to drain any leftover oil (mnkbusiness.com).
- Sit back and enjoy your warm polenta fries as a snack. They are crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. Add marinara sauce and grated Parmesan cheese if you want.
Saucepan
If you plan to reheat cold polenta into a creamy consistency, try to use a saucepan. Add more water, milk, and broth for consistency. Keep whisking your polenta until done. Add more liquid if you think it is necessary.

Steps
- Heat your pan with butter.
- As the butter melts, add in your polenta and start whisking. Be patient when whisking it since it has been in the fridge for a long time.
- Add a bit of liquid and keep on stirring until the polenta is creamy to your liking.
- Remove the pan from the heat and enjoy your polenta.
Microwave
Reheating polenta in a microwave is quick and easy. You do not need to clean up a mess with the saucepan. Taking the bowl in and out of the microwave is a job, but it is only for a few minutes.
Place your polenta in a bowl safe for the microwave. Heat your polenta for a few minutes in the microwave and take it out. Keep stirring the polenta and add more liquid if necessary till warm. When reheating polenta in a microwave, add more liquid to it to maintain that creamy consistency.
Steps
- Preheat the microwave to 365℉.
- Put the polenta bowl in and heat up for a minute.
- Take it out, add a little bit of water or milk and stir.
- Repeat the last step 2-3 times until the polenta cooks to your desired consistency.
Best method
An oven is another easy way to reheat polenta. There is no need to thaw the polenta beforehand. When heated in the oven, steam released from the frozen polenta revives its original creamy consistency without compromising its texture (garlicdelight.com).
Reheat polenta leftovers in the oven. The temperature required for reheating polenta in the oven is 365 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an oven-safe dish. You have to reheat your polenta in the oven for almost twenty minutes.

Steps
- Preheat your oven to 365℉.
- Cut your chilled polenta into sticks and place them on a baking sheet.
- Lightly oil each stick and allow them to cook in the oven for 20 minutes. If you want them crunchier, add more than 5 minutes.
Storage
If you plan to consume polenta within 2-3 days, keep it in the refrigerator. To prevent it from drying, wrap the polenta in a clean cloth on a plate, cover it with paper towels, and secure it with plastic wrap. Paper towels keep it moist. Do not use aluminum foil, but you can vacuum seal the polenta for it to come out fresh.
Safe Temperatures
The temperature required to reheat polenta is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you can increase or decrease the temperature. Adjust the temperature according to how much you want to reheat your polenta and how crispy you want your polenta to be. Keep adding milk or water to your polenta to remain even after reheating.
FAQs
Can you freeze cooked Polenta?
Freezing polenta is the best way to store the corn dish. Yes, polenta freezes so well that you will not lose its texture. The chances of cooking more polenta than needed are high as polenta expands once cooked. That is why you should freeze it to use later.
The process does not compromise the taste and texture. Frozen polenta will stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How long does Polenta last in the fridge?
It stays up to 2-3 days. The leftover polenta dries out and becomes out of texture if left in the fridge longer than this time. Before storing it in the refrigerator, let it cool down to room temperature.
Wrap the polenta in a clean cloth to avoid moisture loss. You can also let it on a plate, cover some paper towels on top, and seal it with plastic wraps. The moisture will not escape the dish.

Can you reheat Polenta on a grill?
Yes, you can reheat polenta on a grill to make it crispier. However, it is better to reheat the polenta in an oven and then put it inside the grill. Place it inside the grill for five minutes. It becomes more crunchy after putting it inside the grill for only five minutes.
How to reheat Polenta without overcooking?
Follow the instructions to avoid overcooking Polenta. You need to keep the polenta inside the heating device until the heating time is over. Also, use the right temperature for reheating polenta.
How long does it take to reheat Polenta?
Reheating the polenta will take fifteen minutes to half an hour. The time required for reheating polenta will depend on the equipment used. A microwave will help you reheat polenta within the lowest time.
Can you reheat Polenta in a Toaster oven?
Reheating polenta in a toaster oven is the same as in the oven. Keep your polenta chilled to reheat it in a toaster oven. However, it takes almost half an hour. The toaster oven makes a good alternative for an oven since it requires cleaning after reheating the polenta.
Can you reheat Polenta in an Air fryer?
Use a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit to reheat polenta in an air fryer. Add milk or water to make your polenta creamy.