Kale chips are a delicious guilt-free crispy snack, as they are loaded with nutrition. Air frying them makes them super crispy super fast! In less than 10 minutes, you will have crispy fresh kale chips!
I used to swear by making my kale chips in my dehydrator. They always came out perfect, BUT they took a few hours. So it took planning. I would also make them in the oven, which again takes time. In the air fryer, it’s a game changer! 5 minutes, and you’re done!
Kale Chips in Air Fryer Ingredients
- Fresh Kale – washed and dried thoroughly
- Olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt
How to make Kale Chips in the Air Fryer
Wash and dry kale leaves throughly. Tear into about 3 inch pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
Then 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 to you air fryer basket (I personally use this Air Fryer which you can get on Amazon). Air fry at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, shaking 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
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.
Don’t have an Air Fryer
No problem! These are easily made in the oven. Simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the kale leaves evenly on the baking sheet. You will probably need two baking sheets or work in batches if you only have one sheet. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 20 minutes. Same as with the air fryer – shake after 10 minutes. Add additional minutes until desired crispiness.
Kale Chip Benefits
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.
Other uses for Kale Chips
- Crumbled on top of pizza or flatbread
- On salads to add some crispiness
- In Buddha bowls or Poke bowls
Other recipes you might like
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch Kale, fresh
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and dry kale leaves throughly. 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 on 300° for 5 minutes. Shaking the basket halfway through. If Kale chips are not crispy, then add an additional minute watching carefully to not burn. *See note below
- Enjoy!
Notes
- 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.
