Kale Chips Recipe (2024)

102 Comments / By Lisa Leake / March 13, 2023 / Recipes

8 Reviews / 4.9 Average

I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of kale before I started buying and eating local, but it's a surprisingly easy and delicious veggie! With only three ingredients, this Kale Chips recipe is super quick to make for a healthy snack.

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I made this kale chip recipe as a way to get my kids to try eating more leafy greens like kale. Turns out they’re actually a super easy and delicious way to get more vegetables into your diet and satisfy that desire for crunchy snacks.

Kale chips are great to make when kale is in season, especially if you grow it in your own garden!

Kale Chips Recipe (1)

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Prior to this year I don’t ever recall eating kale before. I even discussed it with a few of my friends, and they also weren’t sure if they had eaten it before either (have you?). I don’t know what it is about the name “kale”, but the sound of it just isn’t appealing for some reason. However, things have changed and since I am trying my best to buy and eat local foods, I decided to go out on a limb and try it!

Why We Loved Oven Baked Kale Chips

I first discovered that kale can be substituted for (and even added to) spinach in some recipes like creamed spinach. I of course couldn’t get my daughters to even think about wanting to eat that. But (drum roll, please) when I received this super easy recipe below, courtesy of my husband’s step-mom, not only did my children like it, but they loved it and kept asking for more!

I will add that when my daughter first saw this greenish looking dish, just like any 2-yr-old would, she said “I don’t like that” without even trying it. She did follow the rule of trying at least one bite though, and with surprise in her voice she said “I like the kale” and then kept eating it.

And I have to agree that I was also surprised how good (and good for you) something with the name “kale” could turn out to be!

Alternative: Air Fryer Kale Chips

Since air fryers are so popular I thought I’d share this recipe alternative! You can make this recipe in the air fryer instead of the oven.

Set your air fryer to the same temperature (375 degrees fahrenheit) and toss in oil normally. The only difference between the oven and air fryer for this recipe is the cooking time: cook kale chips for 3-5 minutes in the air fryer.

Tips Baking Perfect Kale Chips

Kale chips are really easy to make but you do have to be careful to toss the oil evenly and not overcook them. Here’s some tips and tricks to help your kale chips turn out perfectly every time:

  • Choose kale for your chips that’s as fresh as possible so the leaves are firm
  • Make sure kale leaves are fully dried after washing
  • Be gentle when you toss leaves in oil
  • Make sure kale leaves are coated evenly with oil (this is both so they’ll crisp up and to make sure they don’t stick)
  • Give kale chips plenty of space on the cookie sheet, don’t overlap or crowd
  • Watch chips carefully as they cook

How to Store Chips

Although I prefer to eat my kale chips immediately, made ahead or leftover kale chips should be stored in an airtight container once cooled. 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. Another idea is to store in a brown paper bag; the bag will help absorb moisture and keep chips crispy.

More FAQs

Can I make kale chips with frozen kale?

No, only fresh, crisp kale will work for kale chips! Save the frozen kale for smoothies instead.

What can I season kale chips with?

Besides salt, you can use any blend of spices you prefer. Get creative!

My chips turned out soggy, what did I do wrong?

Usually soggy kale chips happen because of too much moisture. If you washed your kale right before making this recipe but didn’t fully dry the leaves it can cause the chips to come out soggy when you bake them. Next time, make sure you pat the leaves dry with a paper towel or run them through a salad spinner.

Too much or too little oil can also lead to soggy kale chips; make sure you’re using a light, even coat and not drenching or missing areas.

Kale Chips Recipe (2)

Kale Chips

I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of kale before I started buying and eating local, but it's a surprisingly easy and delicious veggie! With only three ingredients, this Kale Chips recipe is super quick to make for a healthy snack.

8 Reviews / 4.9 Average

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

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Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups kale (firmly packed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

  • Wash and trim the kale by ripping out the stems and ribs from the center of the leaves.

  • Lay them out onto a cookie sheet and sprinkle the leaves with a tablespoon of olive oil. Using your hands toss the leaves around to evenly distribute the oil then lay them out into a single layer on the sheet.

  • Bake for 5 minutes, then turn kale pieces over and bake for 5 – 7 minutes more until kale turns brown, paper-thin, and brittle. (They can quickly go from perfect to overdone so keep a close watch at the end!)

  • Remove from oven and toss with sea salt.
    Serve immediately.

Notes

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Kale Chips

Amount Per Serving

Calories 64Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 98mg4%

Potassium 329mg9%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 6695IU134%

Vitamin C 80.4mg97%

Calcium 101mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Kale Chips Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

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.

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!

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.

Are kale chips anti-inflammatory? ›

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.

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.

Can you eat stems of kale? ›

Cutting the stems crossways shortens the fibres, much as with a tough steak, making them perfectly edible and preventing waste. Cut this way, the stems can be cooked in the same way as the rest of the leaf: sauteed, boiled or steamed.

Why are kale chips 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.

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.

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.

Can dogs have kale? ›

Raw, uncooked kale is fine for dogs to eat, but steaming or blanching it may make it easier for them to digest. Remove the stems, chop into small pieces, and add a small amount of plain cooked or raw kale to their regular food dish for a boost of fiber and nutrients.

Is 2 cups of kale a day too much? ›

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.

What does eating kale everyday do to your body? ›

Possible health benefits of kale include lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes, protecting against heart disease, and helping prevent constipation. Kale may also improve bone, skin, and hair health. Kale is a healthful addition to a varied diet, and people can use it in numerous ways.

Which kale is healthiest? ›

Turns out purple kale is even better than the green variety because it contains anthocyanins which are responsible for the purple colour (the same nutrient that blueberries and cranberries contain), which have even more powerful antioxidant properties.

Are veggie chips actually healthier? ›

Once the veggies are processed into chips, many of the vitamins and plant chemicals are destroyed. This leaves you with a food that's much higher in calories and fat with fewer nutrients. Clever marketing has made consumers believe “veggie” chips are healthy. Let's not forget that potatoes are a veggie too.

Is kale really that healthy? ›

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.

What is the healthiest alternative to chips? ›

Raw Veggie Slices

Raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers are a much healthier alternative to chips, specifically if you want to replace tortilla chips! Sliced raw vegetables still have that nice crunch that regular chips do, but contain virtually zero grams of fat.

Are Simply 7 kale chips healthy? ›

With just a pinch of sea salt, this first-of-its-kind kale chip is perfect for pairing with your favorite dips. With nearly 80% of your daily Vitamin K and a simply delicious crunch, our kale chips will make snack time your favorite time of day.

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