Crispy baked kale chips recipe (2024)

By Sachi | | | 9 Comments

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Kale chips are the perfect low-carb snack for when you're craving something crunchy and salty. Skip the potato chips and try this recipe instead. They are incredibly delicious and easy to make! You only need 3 ingredients - kale, oil and salt.

Total carbohydrates1g per cup

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (1)

🎥 Watch this video on how to make kale chips

These kale chips are baked instead of fried. Learn how to make this baked kale chips recipe in the oven (and air-fryer!)

👩🏻‍🍳 Table of contents

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Jump to:
  • 🎥 Watch this video on how to make kale chips
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Table of contents
  • What are kale chips?
  • What do kale chips taste like?
  • Are kale chips good for diabetics?
  • Why you should try this kale chip recipe at home
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪Instructions
  • Air-fryer kale chips
  • Substitutions
  • 🧂 Seasoning ideas
  • How to serve kale chips
  • 🍽 Equipment you'll need
  • 🥡 How to store kale chips
  • 💭 Top tips
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Roasted honeynut squash recipe card
  • More kale recipes
  • More snack recipes

What are kale chips?

Kale chips are a tasty snack made from kale, which is a nutritious superfood. Crunchy and satisfying, kale chips are the perfect healthy snack. Kale chips are low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (2)

What do kale chips taste like?

No surprise here, kale chips taste like kale! However, crisping them in the oven with a bit of oil and salt does enhance its flavor. Unlike raw kale, kale chips taste toasted and slightly sweet. Crisping kale mellows out the bitter character of this leafy green vegetable. Personally, kale chips remind me of toasted laver seaweed, used as sushi roll wrappers, which is called "nori" in Japanese.

Are kale chips good for diabetics?

Unlike other chips, kale chips are extremely low in sugar and carbohydrates. Made with three simple ingredients green leafy kale, oil, and a touch of salt, kale chips are the perfect low-carb, low-glycemic snack for diabetics. Compared to other keto chips, kale is also high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins K1, A, B6 & C.

Research has shown that the flavonoid antioxidants found in kale, including quercetin and kaempferol, havepotent blood-sugar-loweringand insulin-sensitizing effects.

Jillian Kubala, MS, RD for Healthline

According to Healthline, kale is one of the 17 Best Foods to Lower (or Regulate) Your Blood Sugar.

Why you should try this kale chip recipe at home

It is a great way to eat more kale. Making kale chips is easy. When you make kale chips at home you can use really fresh, organic kale to ensure maximum nutritional value. Make as many as you like so you can eat kale chips with family and friends.

🥘 Ingredients

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (3)
  • Fresh kale leaves
  • Oil
  • Sea salt or kosher salt

Fresh kale

Use fresh, dry kale leaves for crispy kale chips. Use only the dark, green, leafy part and not the stems or ribs. Organic kale is preferable. Do not use frozen chopped kale.

All kale varieties can be used with good results.

  • Curly kale, known as Siberian kale
  • Flat-leaf kale, known as Lacinato kale, Tuscan kale or Dinosaur kale
  • Oak leaf shaped kale, known as Russian Red Kale

Oil

Use a neutral-flavored oil. Avocado oil or sunflower seed oil are good choices. Olive oil is fine to use, just be aware that it can impart a bitter flavor to crispy kale chips.

Salt

Kosher salt or sea salt tastes best.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (4)

🔪Instructions

Try this great recipe for perfectly crunchy chips. Use only the green leafy part for the kale to cook evenly into crispy perfection.

Note: You can skip steps 1-3 if you bought pre-washed kale in a bag.

Step 1: Separate the leaves from the ribs.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (5)

Step 2: Wash to remove any dirt.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (6)

Step 3: Drain and dry the kale. Use a salad spinner for best results. Try to remove as much water as possible. That being said, it is okay if there are a few drops of water on the leaves.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (7)

Step 4: Spread kale leaves on a baking sheet and toss with oil and salt. You can add seasonings at this step.

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Step 5: Arrange kale in a single layer on a baking sheet so they are evenly distributed.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (9)

Step 6: Bake in a 300°F oven for ⏲️ 10 minutes. Turn each piece over and bake 10 minutes more. Cool completely.

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (10)

Air-fryer kale chips

If you have an air-fryer, there are specific instructions for that in the recipe card below.

You may prefer this method if you don't have an oven or if it is too hot to run an oven. The ingredients are the same.

Substitutions

  • You can substitute kale with other hearty greens. Try nettles, dandelion greens, beet tops, Swiss or Rainbow chard, radish greens and collard greens. I've made these crispy chips with foraged garlic mustard greens. You may need to adjust the cook times.
  • Oil - try butter if you are a butter lover. Try avocado oil, coconut oil and olive oil.
  • Vegan - keep it vegan with plant-based oil.

🧂 Seasoning ideas

Here are some seasoning ideas:

  • Herb salt - I love to keep herb salt on hand to sprinkle over foods for variety
  • Black pepper - These are excellent with freshly cracked black pepper
  • Lemon - Drizzle with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking
  • Salt and Vinegar - Sprinkle a pinch of salt and spritz with vinegar at the end of cooking
  • Japanese - a dash of shichimi togarashi, Japanese 7 spice blend, adds great flavor
  • Fancy - Add truffle oil
  • Cheesy - Give it a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese hot out of the oven
  • Vegan Cheesy - For a vegan version with a similar flavor profile as Parmesan cheese, you can make this with a dusting of nutritional yeast
  • 🌶 Spicy - sprinkle with a bit of garlic powder (or garlic salt) and chili powder
  • Garlic butter - drizzle with melted butter and a dusting of garlic powder
  • TexMex - sprinkle with a bit of taco seasoning
  • Curry - sprinkle a bit of curry powder, turmeric or garam masala. The aroma is amazing!

How to serve kale chips

  • Serve kale chips in a bowl and eat them just as they are.
  • Try drizzling them with your favorite hot sauce or ranch dressing.
  • Kale chips are also great as a crunchy topping for soups and salads!

🍽 Equipment you'll need

  • Salad spinner
  • Baking sheets (you may need 2 baking sheets for this)
  • Parchment paper

If you don't have a salad spinner, no worries, you can shake excess water off the leaves. And then lay the leaves flat in a single layer on a clean dry towel. Pat each leaf dry with a dry towel.

🥡 How to store kale chips

Store in a sealed food container or ziploc bag with a dry paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture. Store in a cool, dark place with low humidity for up to a week.

If they get soggy, you can re-crisp them by placing them on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes.

Stored properly, kale chips can last for up to a week.

💭 Top tips

For perfectly crispy (not soggy) kale chips with no bitter flavor, follow these tips for this baked kale chips recipe:

  • Make sure to remove the stems. Use only the leafy part of the kale, not the ribs or stems. The ribs release water as they cook and create steam in the oven, which can prevent the kale chips from crisping.
  • Only use fresh, dry kale. Do not use old kale. Do not use frozen kale.
  • If your kale chips haven't reached that perfectly crispy status, just flip each piece over and put them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
  • Don't turn up the heat. High heat can burn the kale and make it taste bitter.
  • Don't use olive oil if you don't like bitter flavors. Olive oil can add a sharp, bitter flavor to a recipe.
  • Use fresh oil. Rancid oil can add an off, or bitter, flavor to a recipe.

Frequently asked questions

Are kale chips good for you?

Kale chips are a healthy snack choice because they are made with kale, a nutrient-rich vegetable. According to the Nutrifox nutrition facts label, Kale chips are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium.

How do you keep kale chips crispy?

Keep the kale crispy by storing in a sealed food container or ziploc bag with a dry paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture.

Why are kale chips so bitter?

If you follow this baked kale chips recipe your kale chips won't be bitter.

If, however your kale chips come out bitter, then one possible explanation for the bitterness is that you raised the cooking temperature. When kale is exposed to high heat, it produces a chemical called glucosinolate. This chemical is responsible for the bitter taste of kale chips. 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.

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Crispy baked kale chips recipe (11)

Roasted honeynut squash recipe card

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.7 from 7 reviews

  • Author: Sachi
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 10 halves 1x
  • Diet: Diabetic

Description

An easy recipe for roasted honeynut squash: cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast at 375° F for 30 minutes. 22g carbs in half a squash.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 5 honeynut squash, cut in half and seeded
  • 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil
  • a pinch of salt or seasoning of choice

Instructions

To roast honeynut squash seeds:

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. Cut honeynut squash into halves.
  3. Scoop out seeds.
  4. Separate seeds from pulp.
  5. Spread seeds on a baking sheet and lightly coat with oil.
  6. Season with salt and desired spices (salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, etc.).
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring a few times during baking, until they are light brown and crispy.

To roast honeynut squash:

  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
  2. Cut the honeynut squash in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds.
  3. Drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil (or your vegetable oil of choice). This step is optional. You can skip the oil and dry roast honeynut squash, if you prefer. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
  4. Place the honeynut squash halves on a baking sheet, cut-side down.
  5. Roast for 30 minutes or until the flesh is fork tender.
  6. Use a spoon or fork to scrape the flesh away from the skin.

To air-fry honeynut squash:

  1. Cut the honeynut squash in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds.
  2. Rub the cut-side with with olive oil.
  3. Place cut-side up in airfryer basket.
  4. Use the roast setting at 375° F in the air-fryer for 15-20 minutes, until fork tender.

To microwave honeynut squash:

  1. Cut the honeynut squash in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds.
  2. Place the honeynut squash halves on a microwave safe plate, cut-side down.
  3. Microwave on high for 15 minutes.
  4. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  5. Check for doneness. It is ready when you can easily pierce the flesh with a fork.

Notes

  • Honeynut squash goes well with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, garlic and chili powder.
  • I like to mash it into a paste with a fork and serve it in the skin.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Side
  • Method: bake
  • Cuisine: American

More kale recipes

  • Kale soup with Kabocha squash and spicy chorizo sausage
  • Italian wedding soup

More snack recipes

  • Salsa fresca
  • Edamame
  • Keto jalapeño poppers

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Roasted honeynut squash »

About Sachi

What's cooking, carb counters?! I’m Sachi, I'm the carb counting recipe developer at We Count Carbs! Need help figuring out what to make for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner? Do you wish recipes came with carb counts and nutrition facts labels? You've come to the right place. We count carbs because carbs count!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sachi says

    Delicious!

    Reply

  2. Lisa says

    I didn't realize how easy it is to make these chips at home. I won't be buying them anymore!

    Reply

    • Sachiko Goodyear says

      I love that!

  3. Jennifer says

    Love these! They're my favorite low carb snack!

    Reply

  4. Farwin says

    They were easy to make and so delicious! I was skeptical at first but they are good. Even my husband loved them! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

  5. Glenda says

    One of my favorite simple snacks! I used the air fryer and they turned out perfectly! Thanks so much.

    Reply

  6. Sherry says

    I have always wanted to make kale chips. Your tips helped and my baked kale chips tasted amazing. Thank you for the recipe!!

    Reply

  7. Brenda B says

    the recipe attached is for squash not kale

    Reply

    • Sachi says

      ooh thank you for pointing this out! it was one of my first recipes that I posted and I had some technical difficulties... it's on my to do list to fix it.

Leave a Reply

Crispy baked kale chips recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to keep kale chips crispy? ›

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!

Is crispy baked kale good for you? ›

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!

Why did my kale chips get soggy? ›

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.

Why are my homemade kale chips bitter? ›

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.

Are kale chips actually 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.

How to make kale chips Martha Stewart? ›

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.

Does baking kale chips destroy nutrients? ›

However, the vitamins in kale decrease when cooked. This doesn't mean there are no vitamins left in kale chips when they are baked. When baked, the kale chips still contains many vitamins, minerals and nutrients. The amounts are just less than when consumed raw.

Can I eat kale chips everyday? ›

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.

Can you eat too much kale? ›

Consumption of kale in excess can lead to constipation and stomach irritation. Due to the presence of oxalates, kale can increase the risk of kidney stones. Kale contains goitrogens, substances that inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. So, its intake can increase the risk of iodine deficiency.

Are kale chips anti-inflammatory? ›

There aren't a lot of easy-to-make snacks that pack as much of a nutritional punch as kale chips. Unlike some trendy foods, kale truly deserves its healthy halo. Why does kale get so much credit? Kale is packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Why are my homemade chips not crispy? ›

If the oven isn't hot enough to brown the chips on the 'air-side', or if there's not space for the heat to circulate around each chip, they'll be unevenly crisp. Deep-frying also means the oil can penetrate the craggy, broken edges on all sides to make an extra crisp surface.

How do you make crispy chips not soggy? ›

Cooking at a farily constant and high oil temperature, around 350°F/[177°C], heats the slices so rapidly that the starch granules and cell walls have little chance to absorb any mositure before they're dessicated and done, in 3–4 minutes. The texture is therefore delicately crisp and fine-grained.

What kind of kale is best for chips? ›

Curly kales are distinctively mild-flavored and easy to cook with. These types are most commonly used for chips, green smoothies, and pestos. Curly kale leaves grow whorled around a woody upright stem. These curly varieties can be green, bluish, or purplish-red in color.

How do you keep kale crisp? ›

Line a zip-top storage bag with paper towels. Place about two cups of dry kale inside the bag, squeeze out any excess air, and secure the bag. Store in the crisper drawer of your fridge for five to seven days. The stems should face toward the back of the fridge, where the air is colder.

Why are kale chips so expensive? ›

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.

Is kale still healthy when baked? ›

“Though most cooking methods result in loss of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, kale is still worth eating in whichever form you prefer. The benefits outweigh the nutrient loss,” Garcia said.

Can dogs eat kale? ›

It's good news for people wanting to feed their dogs kale because kale is good for dogs in moderation. When it makes up a small percentage of a recipe, such as with a kibble diet, you can give your dog the nutritional benefits of this vegetable without doing them harm.

How do you keep kale from getting soggy? ›

Spread two paper towels (still connected) on your counter and pile the dry lettuce/kale leaves on one end. Wrap the paper towel around the lettuce and then add some more leaves and continue the process until all the lettuce is wrapped up. Make sure to wrap the leaves up tightly.

How do you keep kale crisp in the refrigerator? ›

Store Whole Bunches In the Fridge

To avoid excess moisture, wrap the whole bunch of kale in a layer of paper towels, and store in a supermarket plastic bag or a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. The kale should keep for 1 week.

How do you make kale less crispy? ›

Massage the kale: Use your clean hands to massage the kale with olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Turn the small pieces frequently to make sure they soften evenly. Add to your favorite dishes: Once tenderized, your kale is ready to eat! Add your massaged raw kale to a salad or one of your other favorite recipes.

How do you store chips to keep them crispy? ›

Fold the packaging properly

Then, roll it up tightly and make sure no air can get through the sidelines. Finally, clip or tie it with rubber and store it in a cupboard or drawer in the kitchen. Beside storing them in packaged snacks, you can also put them in jars. To be sure, avoid air getting into the jar.

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