Baked Kale Chips (2024)

FAQs

Are baked kale chips healthy? ›

And unlike potato chips, kale retains its nutritional value when made into chips. Kale is high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A and calcium, as well as B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium. It's fat- and sodium-free, and the minuscule amounts of olive oil and salt used in my recipe barely bump up those amounts.

Kale is a nutrient-dense food that's high in several vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While cooking kale makes it less bitter, it also significantly reduces its antioxidant, vitamin C, and mineral content.

To keep them crispy, it is important to let them cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You could also try adding a few grains of raw rice or silica packs (like those found in store-bought kale chips) to the airtight container. & Perfect for snacking!

The key to crispy kale chips is to make sure you thoroughly dry your kale leaves. Use paper towels or a dry dish towel to remove any drops of water that might remain after washing and spinning your kale. Damp leaves make soggy kale chips. Use a light hand when you coat the dry kale leaves with olive oil.

Kale contains a large amount of fiber, which is great for digestion but can be dangerous if you eat too much. If you overeat on kale chips (or any food) then you may experience bloating, gas, and constipation due to the excessive intake of fiber.

It also has lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help lower your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Also, lutein may help prevent atherosclerosis , a buildup of hard plaque in your blood vessels. Add kale to a salad or eat kale chips as a snack for an anti-inflammatory benefit.

Manganiello says you can eat kale every day, just don't overdo it. She recommends one to two servings maximum of kale per day, leaving room for other healthy foods that provide an assortment of nutrients.

Steaming is a better option than boiling because you don't lose as many nutrients with this cooking method, according to Gray. “You're not giving it heat treatment for very long, so it's closest to raw that you can get and you still are cooking it to some degree,” she said.

The fiber content in kale promotes feelings of fullness, helping to curb overeating and supporting your weight loss journey. Additionally, kale chips are a smart alternative to high-calorie, processed snacks, aligning with the goal of consuming nutrient-rich foods for overall health and well-being.

To avoid bitterness, bake the kale at lower temperatures for a longer cook time. Another possibility is that the bitterness is caused by the oil used in the recipe. Olive oil is a popular choice for making kale chips, but can add a bitter flavor to kale chips.

What kind of kale is best for chips? ›

Curly kales include:

Blue curled scotch kale (also called vates kale) - This is my favorite kale variety! The bright blue-green leaves are so pretty they're often used as a garnish. They're sweet and a bit nutty and crunchy, perfect for kale chips or kale soup.

The ingredients for most kale chips are a base of raw cashews and nutritional yeast, both of which are pretty pricey. To top it off, kale chips are usually labeled as raw, which means in order to get them crispy they are dehydrated and that takes a looooong time.

Arrange kale on two rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle evenly with olive oil and toss. Season with salt. Bake, rotating trays once, until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes.

Healthy alternative: Baked kale chips are much lighter compared to traditional potato chips or other fried snacks. They're low in calories, but kale is packed with vitamins and minerals, making homemade kale chips an ideal snack for any time of the day. They're even great as a side dish for burgers and sandwiches!

Rinse and dry the kale leaves before removing most of the centre stalk, leaving long, thin pieces of kale. Toss the kale in the oil, then sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon and ½ tablespoon of sea salt. Arrange the leaves in a single layer on a couple of baking trays and bake for 5 minutes, until crisp.

The Verdict? Choosing baked varieties may save you calories and fat, but you'll still be chomping on more sodium and acrylamides. As an occasional treat, baked chips can be part of a healthy diet but if it's making more than a guest appearance, you may want to reconsider.

Are veggie chips good for you? Homemade vegetable chips are a healthy and low-calorie snack, packed with fiber and slow-releasing carbs. However, Store-bought veggie chips are loaded with calories and fat and often also include added sugar.

Kale is a nutrition superstar due to the amounts of vitamins A, B6, C, K, folate, fiber, carotenoids and manganese it contains. One cup of raw kale has just 20 calories.

As long as they're not soaked in oil, kale chips are about the healthiest “chip” you're going to find! Not only are most kale chips (like ours!) extremely low in calories, kale itself also boasts a whole bunch of amazing nutrients like: Vitamin A (great for eye and skin health)