These vegan polenta pizza bites are a perfect appetizer for your next party. They make a great snack or finger food for kids and are a simple way to make a gluten-free vegan pizza. The vegan polenta recipe is the most delicious way that we have found to cook polenta!

The first time I had baked polenta bites as at my own wedding. The caterer served then as hors d’oeuvres. The day was a blur and I was too nervous to eat much, but I still remember the taste of that amazing polenta! I recreated these delicious little snacks for my kids and they are a favorite in my house.

My kids have fun helping to add their choice of toppings and they’re a hit with everyone who has to avoid gluten and doesn’t like gluten-free pizza crust.

What do I need to make polenta pizza?

Polenta – the premade tubes of polenta are easiest.

– the premade tubes of polenta are easiest. Olive Oil – to brush on the bottom of the cookie sheet to avoid sticking and to crisp up the polenta when it bakes.

– to brush on the bottom of the cookie sheet to avoid sticking and to crisp up the polenta when it bakes. Pizza Sauce – any vegan pizza sauce will work. Sometimes I also use sliced tomatoes instead of sauce.

– any vegan pizza sauce will work. Sometimes I also use sliced tomatoes instead of sauce. Vegan Cheese – any meltable vegan cheese will work well. I like to use my homemade vegan mozzarella cheese .

– any meltable vegan cheese will work well. I like to use my homemade . Herbs – any fresh or dried herbs that you like will add flavor to the pizzas. I love to add a dollop of my vegan pesto on top too.

– any fresh or dried herbs that you like will add flavor to the pizzas. I love to add a dollop of my on top too. Toppings – olives, pinenuts, and vegan sausage crumbles are delicious additions to these little pizzas!

What type of vegan polenta do you use?

You can make your own polenta from scratch, but let’s be realistic, that won’t happen. I buy the tubes of pre-made polenta. You can find it in almost any grocery store for around $3.00. It is usually in the refrigerated section by the tofu or in the dairy case. Some stores like Trader Joe’s carry a non-refrigerated type that you can find near the pasta.

How to make perfect polenta bites:

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Open the polenta and cut it in slices about 1 cm thick. Make sure to cut them all the same thickness or they will not cook evenly. Put olive oil on a cookie sheet and spread the polenta circles out so none are overlapping. (Use a non-stick cookie sheet if you have one). Bake them for 20 minutes on each side before adding the topping. (This makes them crispy not mushy). Add pizza sauce and toppings of choice like vegan cheese, tomatoes, pine nuts, olives, or pesto. Then bake them again for 10-15 minutes or so to cook the toppings.

Note: If you are adding vegan cheese, you may want to set your oven to broil for the last minute or 2 of baking if the cheese has not yet melted.

How do I make polenta so that it’s not mushy?

Polenta can have a mushy texture, especially if baked in a casserole or if toppings are put on it before it has time to get crispy. The key to making these polenta bites delicious is baking them first before adding any toppings.

Can I make this vegan polenta recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can make these pizza bites ahead of time. Store them in a covered container in the fridge and then simply reheat on a cookie tray in the oven at 350° for about 10 minutes.

They make the perfect appetizer for your next vegan party. Since they are free of all major allergens, everyone can enjoy them! They also work great cold in school lunches!

Looking for some more vegan appetizers! Give these recipes a try!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram or Pinterest for daily vegan inspiration and recipe ideas! Tag me at #thehiddenveggies! I love to see what you made too!

4.5 from 2 votes Print Vegan Polenta Pizza Bites Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 50 mins Total Time 1 hr A quick and easy way to make a gluten-free vegan pizza. Bite-sized vegan appetizers for your next party! Course: Appetizer, Main Course Cuisine: Italian, vegan Keyword: polenta pizza, vegan polenta, vegan polenta pizza Servings : 8 Calories : 101 kcal Author : Monica Davis | The Hidden Veggies Ingredients 1 tube pre-made polenta

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 cup pizza sauce or 3 Roma tomatoes sliced

1 cup vegan shredded cheese

any other pizza toppings of choice US Customary - Metric Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove plastic from the polenta. Cut polenta in 1 cm. thick rounds. Spread olive oil on the bottom of a cookie sheet and spread the polenta circles evenly. Bake for 20 minutes then flip each polenta circle with a spatula and bake for 20 more minutes. Take out of the oven and add toppings of choice. Bake for 10 more minutes. (After 8 minutes, check to see if the cheese has melted. If not, set oven to broil for 2 minutes). Serve hot. Recipe Notes Store them in a covered container in the fridge.

If you want to make them ahead of time for a party, simply reheat on a cookie tray in the oven at 350° (190°C) about 10 minutes.

They also work great cold in school lunches!

If using my homemade vegan mozzarella Nutrition Facts Vegan Polenta Pizza Bites Amount Per Serving (2 pizza bites) Calories 101 Calories from Fat 36 % Daily Value* Fat 4g 6% Saturated Fat 1g 6% Sodium 221mg 10% Potassium 64mg 2% Carbohydrates 12g 4% Protein 1g 2% Vitamin A 85IU 2% Vitamin C 1.1mg 1% Calcium 14mg 1% Iron 0.4mg 2% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*This recipe was originally published on March 2, 2018. It has been updated on April 16, 2020 to include new images and more detailed information.