Strawberries and Cream Breakfast Polenta
This dreamy strawberries and cream breakfast polenta is a fun way to shake up your normal breakfast routine! With a creamy vanilla polenta base and topped with plenty of fresh strawberries, it’s seriously good. Gluten free and vegetarian with dairy free / vegan option.
Meet my newest obsession. Strawberries and cream breakfast polenta.
As if I wasn’t already massively in love with polenta, now I have a way to get my fix in the mornings as well. And I couldn’t be happier.
You see, for the last few months I have been on a polenta kick like no other.
Most notably creamy polenta for dinner with whatever topping comes to mind for a simple weeknight meal.
I even got my husband on board the polenta train – as he told me it’s one of his favorite dinner options as of late.
So while rummaging through my kitchen looking for breakfast one weekend, I had the genius idea to make a creamy polenta for breakfast.
You know, a little on the sweeter side with some brown sugar and vanilla, topped with a splash of half and half, diced strawberries and some nuts for a little crunch.
I thought I was so smart until I googled to see if anyone else had the same idea to make a sweet version of polenta. Of course they did. Ah well, it was fun being a smarty pants while it lasted.
Don’t you want to just dive right into that bowl of goodness? Anything strawberries and cream is bound to make your belly happy.
Additional Breakfast Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Strawberries and Cream Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal
- Blackberry Coconut Breakfast Bowl
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Baked Oatmeal
- Baked Blueberry and Apple Oatmeal
- Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.
Strawberries and Cream Breakfast Polenta
This dreamy strawberries and cream breakfast polenta is a fun way to shake up your normal breakfast routine! With a creamy vanilla polenta base and topped with plenty of fresh strawberries, it’s seriously good.
Ingredients
For the polenta:
- 2 ½ cups milk of choice
- 2 cups water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coarse polenta (not instant or quick cooking)
- 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
For topping:
- diced fresh strawberries
- few splashes half and half*
- chopped nuts of your choice (I like walnuts or almonds here)
Instructions
- Add the milk, water and salt to a medium saucepan. Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a low simmer.
- Slowly pour in the polenta, whisking constantly the entire time. Turn the heat down to low and partially cover with a lid.
- Cook for about 25 to 30 minutes, whisking every few minutes to get out any lumps (be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the pan). You want the polenta to thicken and have a creamy consistency. If it starts getting too thick, you can add in a little more milk (a tablespoon or so at a time).
- Remove from the heat and add in the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine.
- Ladle the polenta into bowls. Top as desired then serve immediately.
Notes
*To keep this dairy free / vegan - be sure to use non dairy milk in the polenta base and drizzle with canned light coconut milk (shaken well) for topping.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 163Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 403mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice. Nutritional information is ONLY for the polenta base - it does not include anything for topping.
Ha! I always have those good ideas and then I Google them and feel so bummed that I’m not as original as I thought I was. This looks amazing, though–I love the fresh strawberries on top!
haha glad it’s not just me. I really thought I was so original … ah well : )
I love the sound of the strawberry and polenta combination, I’m going to have to try that! Your photos are so gorgeous too!
Aw, thanks Rosie!
Polenta … I love it so much. Except in my case, I usually eat polenta with lamb or veal. 🙂 I have to try it for breakfast!
I’m glad someone else feels like I do about polenta haha. I seriously can’t get enough!
Ashley, I have a confession. I’ve never made polenta…let alone one as sweet and creamy as this. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I’m feeling so very inspired now. Breakfast could take on a whole new texture 🙂
You’ll have to give it a try Monet! Although maybe after baby Lucy arrives – hoping that you get to meet her soon : )
I just recently tried polenta for the first time and LOVED it. I love the idea of eating it for breakfast. Thanks for sharing :).
I have never even thought about making polenta for breakfast! This looks fabulous!
Thanks Stephanie! You need to give it a try for breakfast – it’s worth it!
Do you think this would possibly work with a rice cooker or a slow cooker? I’d love to find a way to make this while I’m showering/getting ready for work in the morning without having to baby sit it :0
I have definitely seen recipes to cook polenta in a slow cooker – but I can’t say I’ve tried it myself! I’ve come across a few that have instructions to coat the inside well with cooking spray and then cook on low (or high) for anywhere ranging from 1 to several hours. If you give it a try, please let me know! I’d love to hear how it comes out : )
Very interesting idea! I don’t eat a lot of polenta, mainly because I don’t know what to do with it. But this looks delicious–and it’s for breakfast, my favorite meal of the day!
Thanks Tiffany!
I don’t often think to create polenta recipes that are sweet but this looks fantastic Ashley! Creamy and comforting and full of sweet berries. 😀
Thanks Jess! I can’t get enough of berries lately!
This is so cool! I’ve always had savory polenta but never sweet or for breakfast. This is a great idea –love it!
Thanks Anne!
Besides this looking delicious, the best part about it is it’s gluten free 🙂
Thanks JR : ) I didn’t even think about that – next time we’re both home I’ll make it for you!
Wow, this looks great:) I’ve never had polenta for breakfast but your strawberries and cream version sounds amazing! It’s sounds like a refreshing change to my regular oatmeal or granola – pinning to try this soon!
Thanks Kelly! Exactly – sometimes I need a change from my normal oatmeal or toast!
I’ve had polenta about 3 times in my life, and the last one was in Boston…it was sweet potato polenta and it was SO good. I don’t make it much cuz I’m probably the only one that will eat it. This sounds like a fabulous idea, and one that I’d love to try. I always think my ideas are so original until I Google. Seems like there’s nothing that hasn’t been done before!
Ooo sweet potato polenta?? That sounds amazing!
I’ve been wondering about breakfast polenta recently, but so far had not seen a good recipe for it. I love this one. I’ve only tried polenta for dinner at a restaurant, but I bet this just tastes wonderful for summer with those strawberries and cream. Pinned!
It’s a nice change from all my normal breakfast rotations! And the strawberries definitely make it summer appropriate! lol
Now I’ve never made my breakfast grits sweet, only savory so this is a must try!!
It’s really good … totally different but good : )
Oh, I’m so excited to see this recipe! As a child, my mom and my grandma used to make polenta all the time for my brother and I, but it has been years since I’ve had it. This recipes brings back so many childhood memories. I must give this a try!
Do you think I could substitute almond or coconut milk for the regular milk?
It’s funny, my family is very Italian, but I don’t remember polenta at all when I was a kid!
Yes, I definitely think almond or coconut milk would work here! I’ve actually been meaning to try it with coconut milk myself but I always forget to buy some when I’m at the store … you’ll have to let me know how it goes!
I’ve never even tried polenta! So silly, I need to get on that. Love this!
Yes, you must try polenta! Although then you might become slightly obsessed like me : )