How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (2024)

How to make cheesy kale chips. These vegan baked kale chips that are tossed with a delicious nutritional yeast queso. High protein and full of healthy fats!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (1)

this recipe

I have a major weakness for chips. If I'm near a bowl or bag of chips, I consistently will eat at least 3 servings. I love the crunch and I love the salt. But inevitably, I always end up with a stomach ache.

For starters, chips are deep fried which means they're cooked in oil. And because companies try to keep costs down as much as possible, more often than not the oil is a really low-quality one. Low-quality oils = gastro issues for me!

A solution that I've found, that both satisfies my love for chips, but doesn't leave me farting for the rest of the day, are kale chips. They're healthy, they're easy on the system and they're super tasty.

Only problem? They're hella expensive!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (2)

Why Are Kale Chips So Expensive?

After trying multiple brands and looking at the ingredient labels, I realized that most of these cheesy kalechips I'm eating are actually make with ingredients that I already have on hand. Cashews, veggies, spices. Pretty standard pantry items.

So why are they so darn expensive?

Food costs obviously depend on a lot of factors. There's the cost of the actual ingredients, the labor costs to produce it, the packaging etc. And for kale chips, I think the two main factors are the food costs and labor costs.

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.

So we've got expensive ingredients + a long production process = $7 for a mini bag of kale chips!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (3)

The Secret to Homemade Kale Chips

My favorite thing about kale chips is how crunchy and cheesy they taste. The secret to getting that? Vegan queso sauce and time.

We start by whipping up our nacho cheese sauce. The base is raw cashews that get soaked for a few hours so they can get easily blended. Then we blend that up with a little nutritional yeast (that classic cheesy flavor), some red bell pepper for a little sweetness and spices for an extra punch.

Seriously I could eat this stuff all day long! This recipe usually yields a little extra sauce, so store that stuff for dipping with your cheesy kale chips or to drizzle on top of tacos. SO GOOD!

And then we just simply toss that all together with our raw kale, make sure everything is nice and coated and then bake it low and slow.

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (4)

How to Make Crispy Baked Kale Chips

Since I know most people probably don't own a dehydrator, I wanted to share a method that makes super crispy baked kale chips that aren't burned. The only thing is you want your oven low and you need to let them bake slowly.

This helps to pull out all the moisture without overcooking them. Kale is a very delicate green when it's cooked, so as it gets heated, it can burn really quickly. That's why you want to keep your oven around 200-225ºF.

If you do have a dehydrator, I also included instructions for that as well!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (5)

Super Cheesy Kale Chips…That Are Vegan!

That's right, we've smother our kale chips in vegan queso, baked them up until crispy perfection and let me just say…these make a pretty darn amazing snack!

They'll satisfy your desire for crunch and they're actually satisfying to your hunger levels as well. Since we're using cashews and nutritional yeast, we're getting both healthy fats and protein, plus all the minerals from kale.

We've got 9g of protein and 12g of healthy fats PER serving!

So if you're a savory snacker, you gotta try our version of cheesy kale chips. Now you'll never have to buy a $7 bag of kale again!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (6)

More Healthy Vegan Snack Recipes:

  • Turtle Cookie Energy Bites
  • No-Bake Peanut Butter Power Bars

Nacho Cheesy Kale Chips

5 from 1 vote

These cheesy kale chips are tossed in a vegan nacho sauce then baked to perfection. They're easy, healthy and SO delicious!

author: Alyssa

yield: 10 servings

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (7)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 bunches curly kale
  • 2 cups cashews soaked for 2 hours
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne more or less to taste depending on your preferences (optional)
  • Juice of 1 lemon 2 - 3 tablespoons
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Add the kale to a very large mixing bowl (or separate into two if you don't have one large enough - you need to be able to toss it around).

  • Add the remaining ingredients to a blender (or food processor) and blend until smooth.Pour the 'cheese' sauce over the kale and mix with your hands until the leaves are covered.

  • If you have a dehydrator, arrange the kale chips in your dehydrator and dehydrate at 120ºF for 12 - 14 hours, until crispy.

  • If not, heat your oven to 225ºF. Spread the kale on two baking sheets trying to not overlap as much as possible. Bake for 90 minutes, flipping halfway through (and swapping your pans on the racks).

  • Allow chips to completely cool before storing in a sealed container or bag. They must be TOTALLY cooled or they won't stay crispy!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 593mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 7450IU | Vitamin C: 90mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 3.2mg

cuisine: American

course: Snack

★★★★★

Did You Make This Recipe?

Be sure to share a comment and rating to let us know!

How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (8)

Filed Under:

  • Blender
  • Dairy Free
  • Gluten-Free
  • Grain-Free
  • Recipes
  • Snacks
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
How to Make Cheesy Kale Chips | Vegan + Gluten-Free - Simply Quinoa (2024)

FAQs

Are kale chips healthy for weight loss? ›

In the long run, replacing high-calorie snacks (looking at you potato chips) with kale chips can be a helpful component to losing weight. That's because kale chips are more nutrient-dense and less calorie-dense. That's a fancy way of saying they help you feel full with less calories.

How do you keep kale chips from getting soggy? ›

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!

Why are my homemade kale chips bitter? ›

When it comes to baked kale chips, brown equals bitter. That's why it can be a little tricky to know when your kale chips are fully baked because you can't really judge by the color. You want to remove baked kale chips from the oven before they brown but while they're still a bit soft in the center.

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 kale help you lose belly fat? ›

Consuming leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, dark lettuce, and kale is a fantastic way to burn belly fat. They improve your metabolism and carry many minerals. Iron, for example, is excellent for your blood and results in more effective workouts.

Does making kale chips destroy nutrients? ›

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.

Can you eat too much kale chips? ›

Theoretically, eating massive quantities of cruciferous vegetables like kale (i.e. more than you would ever possibly want to eat) could potentially impact your thyroid. Maybe. If you actually have a thyroid problem you're worried about, your doctor might recommend against overdoing the kale.

Should you refrigerate kale chips? ›

Your chips will keep about 2-3 days at room temperature, or up to a week if stored in the fridge. If you find storing your homemade chips in an airtight container makes them soggy, consider adding something to the container that will absorb moisture like some dry rice.

Are kale chips worth it? ›

Kale chips can be healthy when baked with light seasoning in olive oil and consumed in moderation. This method retains the nutritional value of raw kale, a low-calorie, and heart-healthy superfood. If fried, prepared in other fats like butter, or heavily seasoned, kale chips can be unhealthy.

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.

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 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.

Why did my kale chips get soggy? ›

If the leaves aren't properly dried, the water can “steam” the kale chips while baking and lead to the dreaded soggy kale chip! Be sure they are nice and dry before you massage in the oil. A salad spinner works great; just be sure not to overload it so the leaves can properly dry.

Can you eat raw kale? ›

Kale can also be eaten raw, and the leaves 'massaged' between your fingers with oil or lemon juice to break down some of the fibres, and make it a bit more palatable.

Are kale chips good for liver? ›

Glucosinolates also help with the body's detoxification system. They stimulate the liver, helping it produce an enzyme that prevents free radicals from attacking our DNA. Kale has been shown to improve cardiovascular health as well.

What are the healthiest chips to eat for weight loss? ›

And when TODAY.com asked for healthy snack ideas, experts previously suggested these chip options:
  • Safe and Fair Popcorn Quinoa Chips.
  • Siete Sea Salt Tortilla Chips.
  • Splitz Original Crunchy Split Pea Crisp Snacks.
  • Pulp Pantry Jalapeño Lime Chips.
  • Hippeas Organic Sea Salt and Lime Chickpea Tortilla Chips.
Jun 14, 2024

Can I eat a bag of chips while trying to lose weight? ›

Portion control is the key to eating foods you love. Potato chips are a food that is considered rich in calories but not nutrient dense. You will want to consider potato chips a sometime food instead of an everyday food because of the caloric content.

Are veggie chips healthy for weight loss? ›

Bottom line. Veggie straws and veggie chips aren't a bad snack choice, but they're not necessarily as healthy as their name implies. If you're looking for a healthier alternative to potato chips, you may be better off just choosing potato chips (and satisfying your snack cravings).

How many calories are in 1 cup of kale chips? ›

Other sizes: 1 cup - 121kcal, 1 10 chip serving - 95kcal, more... Other sizes: 1 serving - 35kcal, 100 g - 51kcal, more... Other sizes: 1 package - 80kcal, 1 lb - 127kcal, more...

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