If you have ever made kale chips in the oven or dehydrator, then you know patience is part of the process. But once I tried air-frying them, I never went back! These Crispy Kale Chips in the Air Fryer are ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish, and come out perfectly light, crunchy, and full of flavor. With a drizzle of olive oil, a little bit of smoked paprika and sea salt, they quickly become a delicious guilt-free snack that you will want to make on repeat. This is one of my favorite ways to use up my kale from the garden before the end of season.
Best Type of Kale to Use
- Curly kale works the best as the leaves hold the oil and seasoning well, creating that crispy crunch.
- Russian Kale works very well also, similar to it’s curly cousin. It’s a bit firmer and slightly sweeter.
- Lacinato kale (aka Dinosaur or Tuscan) also works but is a bit more delicate, therefore the cook time should be reduced.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Fresh Kale – washed and dried thoroughly
- Olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt
How to make Crispy Kale Chips in the Air Fryer
- Wash and dry kale leaves thoroughly. Tear into about 3 inch pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk together the olive oil, smoked paprika and sea salt in a small bowl.
- Add oil mixture to kale leaves and massage into all the leaves. You may think, this is not enough oil mixture to cover all the leaves. But trust me, massage thoroughly onto all the leaves and you will see that there is plenty and you definitely do not want too much as the leaves will get soggy and not air fry well.
- Working in batches, add the kale to you air fryer basket (I personally use this Air Fryer which you can get on Amazon). Air fry at 300°F for 5 minutes, shaking the basket half-way through. If after 5 minutes your chips are not crispy enough, add one minute at a time to desired texture. Make sure to only add one minute at a time as they get crispy fast!!
If your kale leaves are flying around in the basket see below for tips.
That’s it! You now have crispy delicious Kale Chips!!
Enjoy!
Tips
- Dry Thoroughly – this is a very important step to prevent soggy chips.
- Massage the oil and seasonings into the kale leaves as this will help evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Store in an airtight container with a paper towel at the bottom to absorb moisture. Store for up to 3 days if they last that long!
- And the below is the best tip of all!
How to keep Kale from flying around in the air fryer
When I first tried making my Kale Chips in the Air Fryer, they flew all over and got stuck to the top heating element…..which is NOT good as the chips will burn and cause a smoky mess! So I took the rack that is in the air fryer out, placed the kale chips in the bottom, and lightly placed the rack on top of the kale. This helps keep the kale from flying around in the basket and getting caught in the heating element. The kale is light, so the air can still circulate to make them crispy. If you have an extra rack that your air fryer came with, I would keep the bottom one in place and stack the second rack on top of the kale.
Benefits of Kale
The great thing about kale chips is that they do not seem to lose their nutrient value as other vegetables do when air fried.
Kale is a leafy green that is in the cruciferous family. It’s listed as one of the great “superfoods” because it contains high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it highly nutritious.
Delicious Ways to Use Kale Chips
- Crumbled on top of pizza or flatbread
- On salads or in soups to add some salty crispiness
- In Buddha bowls or Poke bowls
- Alongside a sandwich instead of regular chips for a healthier alternative.
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I hope you enjoy this recipe and if you make it or have questions, please leave a comment below.
Other kale recipes you might like to check out: Lentil and Kale Soup, and this Fresh Kale and Fruit Smoothie.
This post may contain affiliate links by which I may receive a small commission. All product links are items I personally use in my kitchen.
Crispy Kale Chips in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Kale, fresh
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry kale leaves thoroughly. Tear into about 3 inch pieces. (The kale will shrink a bit).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, smoked paprika, and sea salt.
- Place the kale in a large bowl, drizzle the oil mixture over the kale and massage into the leaves. Ensure all leaves are covered. It might not seem like enough dressing, but trust me there is!
- Place kale in air basket in batches, being careful not to overload the basket. **
- Air fry at 300°F for 5 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through. If the kale chips are not crispy, then add an additional minute watching carefully to not burn. *See note below
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To prevent the kale chips from flying around in the basket – take the rack that is in the air fryer out, place the kale chips in the bottom, and lightly placed the rack on top of the kale. This helps keep the kale from flying around in the basket and getting caught in the heating element. The kale is light, so the air can still circulate to make them crispy. If you have an extra rack that your air fryer came with, I would keep the bottom one in place and stack the second rack on top of the kale.
- Storage: after the kale chips have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container with a paper towel at the bottom to absorb any moisture for up to 3 days.
