Kale chips are the perfect side dish or snack. They make use of few ingredients, are easy to make, and most importantly, they’re packed with nutrients! The best part is, kale chips are healthy snacks because you can’t really tell the difference from real junk food! Kale chips make a satisfying appetizer at an outdoor BBQ or can serve as a side dish for dinner with friends.
Kale chips come in handy for any occasion.
Kale is high in vitamin B2, 6% of your recommended vitamin B1, and 11% of your daily intake for vitamin B6. B vitamins are important for energy production, so they’re essential in maintaining a healthy weight. Salty, crispy, and nutritional? Sounds good to me!
How to Make Kale Chips
The best way to make homemade kale chips is in the oven. The key to a successful dish is removing the central vein in the middle of the leaf because this part of the plant becomes hard to digest. To chop the leaves, either use a french or chiffonade cut. Don’t make them too small because they may end up curling and shrinking as they cook on the pan.
Place your oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a large cookie sheet with cooking oil spray, or some other fat like vegetable or coconut oil. Lay the kale chips out flat, away from each other so they are not touching. Season with salt and pepper or any other seasoning you want. Use around half a cup of olive oil to brush onto each piece of kale. Bake for ten minutes on the top oven rack, then flip over and bake until they are as crunchy as you like them.
Take out, let them cool and enjoy! (Add salt to taste if needed)
The following three recipes make the best kale chips:
Crispy Kale Chips
Crispy, oven-baked kale chips are the ultimate crunchy snack because their texture almost resembles that of a potato chip. As an added bonus, these snacks pack much more nutritional value than potato chips.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale, thoroughly washed and dried
- 2 tsp of olive oil
- Salt for sprinkling
Method
- Preheat oven to 275°F.
- Kale ribs should be removed and the leaves cut into 1.5-inch pieces, then tossed with olive oil and salt before baking in an oven. Cook the leaves on a baking sheet until crispy. Turn them halfway through to make sure they are cooked evenly, about 20 minutes in total. Serve as finger food.
Seasoned Kale Chips
If you like extra flavor, then these crispy kale chips are for you. Topped with paprika and garlic powder, they’re an addictive treat that’s delicious in its own right.
Ingredients
- One (6-ounce) bunch of curly green kale
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Salt to taste
Method
- The oven needs to be preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After chopping the kale leaves in 1- to 2-inch pieces, spin them dry in a salad spinner or pat with paper towels. Transfer them to a large bowl.
- Toss shredded brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Gently massage the mixture into the shredded leaves of your vegetables.
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet or two, not overlapping.
- Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until kale leaves have turned an autumnal brown and dried. Let sit on a hot stovetop for 5 minutes to cool before serving.
- Store extra chips to munch on later in an airtight container.
BBQ Kale Chips
This recipe is a great way to spruce up your diet with some kale chips. Easy to make, and taste absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- Washed and dried one bunch of kale (about 1 pound)
- Olive oil cooking spray, for greasing
BBQ Seasoning
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 2 tsp ancho chile powder
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
Method
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
- Remove kale stems, tear leaves into small pieces, and lay pieces on a prepared baking sheet. Cover evenly with cooking spray.
- Bake the kale on a baking sheet until crispy and browned on the edges, tossing them halfway through, 18 to 20 minutes.
- Toss shredded kale with BBQ Seasoning and serve.
BBQ Seasoning
Mix the sugar, paprika, salt, dry mustard, garlic powder, and ancho chile in a small bowl.
Takeaway
Kale is packed with healthy nutrients, but sometimes raw kale isn’t an appetizing choice. Kale chips are a delicious alternative to greasy processed chips that can be made at home and provide the same benefits as fresh kale.