Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips (Oven Baked Option Included)

Air fryer kale chips are a delicious and healthy snack that can be made quickly and easily in your air fryer basket using simple ingredients. Crispy kale chips can also be baked in your oven. They make a great low carb snack option to munch on between meals or to satisfy your cravings for something crunchy and savory.

I have found the ultimate healthy snack!

You can eat a whole bowl and it won't make you gain weight. But if you do eat the whole bowl, it might give you a tummy ache. So I would advise to only eat half the bowl. Not that I would know about eating a whole bowl of anything....ahem....cough.

While my husband is watching the games with some Buffalo wings, I will be sitting next to him with a big bowl of kale chips. I'll even offer to share.

Ingredients

• Kale – Use a large bunch of kale and remove the leaves from the larger stems. I break them into pieces.
• Olive Oil – Or use your favorite light, neutral oil.
• Seasoning – Get creative with the seasoning and use your favorite blends such as chili powder, garlic powder, cajun seasoning, etc.
• Salt – Salt is essential to enhance the flavor of the kale chips. If your seasoning blend does not contain salt, season to taste.

How to Make Crispy Kale Chips

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
2. Wash and dry the kale leaves. Tear out the thick stalk in the middle of the kale and tear the leaves into a little larger than bite size pieces as they will shrink into small pieces when they cook.  Dry the fresh kale with paper towels to remove all moisture. Toss in a large bowl with olive oil and seasoning.
3. Place the kale in a single layer in your air fryer. Do not overcrowd and cook in batches if necessary.
4. Air fry for 5 minutes, shake the basket then cook for another 3 to 5 minutes or until kale is crispy. Season with more salt if desired.
5. Cool then serve and enjoy your savory snack.

Oven Baked Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Wash, cut and season kale as instructed above. 
3. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and bake for about 15 minutes.
4. Turn kale and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until kale is crispy. Make sure not to overcook and burn the oven kale chips. 

See recipe card below for full instructions and printable recipe.  

Kale Chips Seasoning Ideas

The sky is the limit when it comes to seasoning crispy kale chips. Think about all the flavors of potato chips. You can be equally creative when making homemade air fryer kale chips. Use your favorite seasonings or try some of my ideas.

• Classic – Toss the kale with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper for a classic and delicious flavor.
• Spicy – Add some heat by sprinkling the kale with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper then add a bit of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Cheesy – Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese for a nutty flavor. You can also sprinkle them with nutritional yeast to give them a cheesy flavor without any actual cheese.
• Garlic and Herb – Combine garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried thyme (or your favorite dried herbs) together and sprinkle over the kale chips for a flavorful and aromatic snack.
• Ranch – Sprinkle with storebought ranch powder or make your own ranch seasoning by combining dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
• Curry – Sprinkle the kale with curry powder and a little bit of turmeric for a warm and aromatic snack.
• Lemon and Herb – Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the kale chips and sprinkle with dried herbs like parsley, basil, or dill.
• Cajun – Give the air fryer or baked kale chips a spicy, herby flavor with Cajun or bbq seasoning or create your own blend using black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. 

If you like this healthy snack made in the air fryer also try my recipe for Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas.

Serving Suggestions

Kale chips make a perfect crispy, crunchy great snack, especially when paired with other healthy snacks like:

• Steamed Edamame with Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Vegan Plant Based Charcuterie Board
• Oven Fried Zucchini

And, just like potato chips, crispy kale is dippable. Serve the chips with your favorite dips.

• Creamy Homemade Garlic Dipping Sauce
• Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
• 3-Minute Blender Salsa

Best Tips for Making Crispy Kale Chips

1. Dry the kale. Before air frying or baking the kale, make sure it's completely dry. Pat dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove any excess moisture.
2. Remove the stems. The long stems of the kale are tough and fibrous, so removing them will help the leaves to crisp up more evenly. You can wrap your hand tightly around the base of the stem then slide the stem through your fist to easily remove the leaves.
3. Don't add too much oil. You only need enough oil to very lightly coat the kale. Use too much oil and they will become soggy.
4. Don't overcrowd the air fryer or baking sheet. Place kale leaves out in a single layer to allow for even cooking and crisping. Piling the leave will cause them to steam instead of crisp.
5. Use the right temperature. For best results, bake kale chips in the oven at 300 degrees F or air fry them at 350 degrees F. This will allow the kale to dry out and crisp up without burning.
6. Watch closely. Kale chips can go from perfectly crispy to burned very quickly, so keep an eye on them during the cooking process. Check them often and remove any chips that are already crispy to prevent them from burning.
7. Season twice. Toss in a bit of oil and season before adding to the air fryer. Check the taste when they come out of the air fryer and add another sprinkle of seasoning if they need it. Sometimes the powerful fans in the air fryer can blow the seasoning off.

FAQs

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RECIPE

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