Polenta Cakes (Mexican Breakfast Recipe) (2024)

Polenta Cakes are pan-fried goodness sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. This Mexican breakfast recipe is sweet, buttery, and delicious.

Once you try polenta for breakfast, you will have a new favorite dish. Pair it with some crispy bacon and a drizzle of maple syrup, and you will have a meal made for a king! It’s that good and will please those picky eaters too.

Polenta is so versatile and can be made by grilling, baking, or frying it. If you’ve never tried it before, it’s ground cornmeal that has been boiled with water or stock. You can eat it right out of the package or cook it. I don’t know if I have ever found something so easy to adapt. Oh, and the best part is you can eat it hot or cold.

Breakfast is seriously one of my favorite meals because there are so many tasty recipes out there. Try out my Grits Ham and Cheese Cups, Quiche Lorraine, or my Italian Sausage Gouda Spinach Strata next time you are trying to add some pizzazz to your breakfast.

If you are craving something sweet, be sure to reach for my Red Velvet Pancakes Recipe. It’s basically food heaven, and you aren’t going to want to miss it.

Ingredients For Polenta Cakes:

To view the entire list of ingredients and amounts needed, please see the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

• Polenta – I prefer the packaged Traditional because when time is short, this is easy! You can also make your own and cut into squares. If making your own polenta, cook per package instructions and pour into a greased 8×8″ square dish and allow to cool, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to harden. Cut into squares and follow instructions below.
  
• Cinnamon – Not only does adding some cinnamon to the dish give you flavor, but it’s also good for you too. It’s known to be anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant too. So, it’s the ideal addition to these polenta cakes.
  
• Sugar – You will need a couple of tablespoons of sugar, and it’s the right amount to give a beautiful sweetness to the dish. You can certainly adjust the amount if you want it sweeter.

• Butter – The butter is a must because it’s what gives the exterior of the polenta cakes the crispy. You could also swap it for your favorite oil or ghee if you would rather.

How To Make This Mexican Breakfast Recipe:

1. Prepare the polenta.

Use a sharp knife to slice it into 8-12 pieces. Make 2-3 pieces per serving.

Add the cinnamon and sugar to a small bowl and mix well.

Take a paper towel and dab it on each piece of polenta. Then dust them with cinnamon and sugar evenly.

2. Pan-Fry.

Using a non-stick skillet, melt the butter. Use medium-low heat, so it doesn’t cook too fast. Then cook both sides until they become a light golden brown color and have a slight crunch.

3. Add toppings and enjoy.

Drizzle the pan drippings on top or add some warmed maple syrup. It pairs well with some slices of crisp bacon or some fresh fruit too.

TROUBLESHOOTING AND TIPS

• Don’t use too high of heat. It’s vital that you use medium-low heat, or it is likely to burn rather quickly.
  
• Don’t overcook. Because it’s completely cooked straight out of the package, there is no need to try to cook it for too long. The goal is to brown the outside of it and leave the creamy interior. Overcooking will cause it to be dry and not as tasty.
  
• Makes good leftovers. If you end up with some leftovers, you can keep them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop it in the microwave for a minute or so. OR reheat it in a skillet with a little bit of melted butter. You can also eat it cold, right out of the fridge if you want!

• Swap the sugar. For a deeper sweetness, swap the white sugar for brown sugar when making the polenta cakes. So delicious!
  
• Use flavored syrups. Instead of traditional maple syrup, you can always use strawberry, blueberry, or even honey to add a new twist.