Description
Delicious mini polenta pizza bites featuring a creamy polenta base topped with rich pizza sauce, vegan cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano. These bite-sized treats are perfect as snacks or appetizers and can be customized with various toppings like peppers, olives, and mushrooms.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 2 vegetable stock pots or cubes
- 500g instant polenta
- 1½ litres water
- ½ tsp salt
- Olive oil, for drizzling and for greasing the tray
Toppings
- 250g pizza sauce
- 200g vegan cheese, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Optional toppings such as chopped pepper, sweetcorn, olives, or mushrooms
Instructions
- Prepare the Polenta: Bring 1½ litres of water to the boil and add the vegetable stock pots and ½ tsp salt. Gradually pour in the instant polenta while whisking continuously. Return to the boil then reduce heat to low. Stir every minute to prevent sticking for about 8 minutes or follow the pack instructions until thickened.
- Set the Polenta Base: Oil a non-stick baking tray (approximately 30 x 40 cm). Spoon the cooked polenta into the tray and level it with a spoon to create a flat slab roughly 1cm thick. Use wet palms to press it firmly after a few minutes. Allow to cool and set for at least 1 hour until firm.
- Cut the Polenta: Once set, turn the polenta out onto a work surface and cut into strips. Halve these strips diagonally to make small wedges, then place them back on the greased baking tray.
- Preheat the Oven: Heat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4.
- Add the Toppings: Top each polenta wedge with 1 tsp of pizza sauce, a sprinkle of finely chopped vegan cheese, and a dash of dried oregano. Add optional toppings like chopped pepper, sweetcorn, olives, or mushrooms as desired. Drizzle a little olive oil over each piece.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the vegan cheese is melted and bubbly, and the toppings are heated through.
- Serve: Serve warm or cold as delightful bite-sized snacks or appetizers.
Notes
- You can customize the toppings based on your preferences, making these bites versatile for any occasion.
- Using instant polenta speeds up preparation, but you can use traditional polenta; just allow additional cooking time.
- If pressed for time, refrigerate the set polenta to firm it quicker.
- These pizza bites are vegan-friendly and perfect for plant-based diets.
- Drizzling olive oil before baking helps keep the bites moist and adds flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: mini polenta pizza bites, vegan appetizers, polenta pizza, vegan pizza bites, party snacks, Italian inspired, bite-sized snacks
