Crunchy and Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips Recipe

Potato chips are probably one of the easiest and most delicious snacks to munch on but let’s be real, they are not the healthiest. With that, why not look around your pantry and look for something that can be made into a snack?

What’s that? You found some extra kale leaves lying around? Did you know you can turn those into chips by just using an air fryer? With that said, here is how you can make kale chips into a healthy snack or dessert using an air fryer in the comfort of your home! 

For another variation, you can check out this air fryer apple chips recipe. 

How to make crispy air fryer kale chips 

Unlike potato chips, kale still retains its nutritional value when cooked into chips. Kale is high in several nutrients including fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A to C, as well as calcium and potassium.

But again, this will only work if you use an air fryer because, unlike deep frying where you have to use a lot of oil, air frying requires you very little oil (sometimes no oil at all!) and your kale leaves are perfectly crispy and crunchy already.

Here is how you can make air fryer kale chips easily in just 10 minutes:

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of fresh kale of any kind (about 5 cups)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• Your preferred seasonings

Instructions:

First things first, you have to wash and dry kale leaves. You can dry the kale leaves with a paper towel. After that, cut the leaves from the spine and tear or chop kale leaves into bite-sized pieces. 

The next step is to drizzle with oil your kale leaves with. Also, add in your salt. You can also thoroughly massage the oil into the leaves. Do note that you do not need a lot of oil – the heat in the air fryer will make your kale chips crispy. 

After you add olive oil and salt, spread the leaves into a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may have to cook in batches.

Air fry your seasoned kale at 375 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them after 3 minutes and shake the basket halfway through cooking. 

Once crispy, take out the kale chips in the air fryer and prepare the next batch.

You can also season your kale chips with your favorite seasonings, herbs, or spices. You can try nutritional yeast, garlic powder, paprika, and others.  

Let cool and serve. 

More tips for the best air fryer kale chips 

Cooking your kale chips is incredibly easy – you literally just have to use the air fryer for a couple of minutes and you are done. But to make the best crispy chips, here are more tips and strategies on cooking your kale pieces in an air fryer. 

• To keep your kale from flying around in the air fryer, cover the top with another air fryer rack to keep the kale in place while air circulates around them.
• Make sure you do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or else, the kale chips will not crisp properly. Place kale in a single layer and work in batches if necessary. 
• Be sure you keep a close eye on the air fryer while cooking because kale leaves can crisp up in as little as 3 minutes. Make sure you are shaking the pan halfway through as well. 
• Try to make the leaves into small similar sizes. Ideally, 1 to 2 inches in size would be fine. 
• Make sure your air fryer is completely dry before cooking. Any wet spots in the air fryer could affect the air fryer cooking process and your kale chips may not turn out as crispy.

Seasoning ideas for kale chips

You can add more flavor to your kale chips by adding your favorite seasonings or sauces. Sky is the limit for this one and it will all depend on your taste preference. But if you need some ideas, here are some seasoning ideas I recommend if you want your chips even tastier: 

• Salt
• Shredded Parmesan cheese
• Cumin
• Curry powder
• Ranch
• Hot sauce 
• Sour Cream and Onion 
• Honey Mustard
• Maple syrup

Where to use crispy kale chips?

You can freely eat your crunchy kale chips by themselves since it is already tasty and filling. But if you want to add it to other meals, you can do that as well as it can pair up with almost any other food. But if you need more ideas, here is where and how you can use your kale chips with: 

• Paired with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch or tahini
• Buddha bowls 
• Paired with burgers 
• Quinoa salad 
• Buckwheat salad 
• and more! 

How to store air fry kale chips 

If you are planning to eat your kale chips within 2 days, you can just put the kale chips in a bowl on your counter without covering them. It will remain crispy for a day or two. 

But if you are planning to store your kale chips for the next few days, you can store them in an airtight container or a loosely sealed plastic bag and keep them at room temperature for up to a week. 

You do not need to store your kale chips in the refrigerator or else, your chips will become moist. 

If they lose the crunchiness, you can make them crispy again in the air fryer for a minute or two. 

Are Kale Chips healthy?

Do kale leaves lose their nutrients and health benefits once you cook them in an air fryer? The answer to that is no! 

Unlike other cooking methods, it is less likely to lose any nutrients when air frying your vegetables since the cooking method is healthier – meaning an air fryer uses very little to no oil at all. 

If you or your children find it hard eating (or even looking) at greeny veggies, then you can easily cook them in an air fryer and treat them just like any other chips or snacks (using an air fryer)! 

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Kale Chips Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Kale chips are a great alternative to potato chips - they are healthier and even tastier! You can easily make your own kale chips in an air fryer and takes only a few minutes to make! 

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Ingredients

• 1 bunch of fresh kale of any kind (about 5 cups)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• Your preferred seasonings

Instructions

1. Wash and dry kale leaves. Cut the leaves from the spine and tear or chop kale leaves into bite-sized pieces. 
2. Drizzle with oil your kale leaves. Also, add in your salt. You can also thoroughly massage the oil into the leaves.
3. Spread the leaves into a single layer in your air fryer basket. You may have to cook in batches.
4. Air fry your seasoned kale at 375 degrees F for 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on them after 3 minutes and shake the basket halfway through cooking. 
5. Once crispy, take out the kale chips in the air fryer and prepare the next batch.
6. You can also season your kale chips with your favorite seasonings, herbs, or spices. You can try nutritional yeast, garlic powder, paprika, and others.  
7. Let cool and serve. 

 

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