Crispy, crunchy, and super addictive, Air Fryer Kale Chips are the best low-carb, low-calorie snack to enjoy in less than 10 minutes. These healthy and delicious crisps are a guilt-free snack that is keto and paleo-friendly, and a great way to add greens to your diet.
Serve them with a 5-minute lemon caper sauce or good old tartar sauce, and munch away!
My family has a complex relationship with kale! I add it to salads and soups, but it's one of those vegetables that everyone eats, but not happy about it.
These crispy kale chips in the air fryer have been a game-changer! We love snacking on these, dipping them creamy lemon caper sauce or sriracha-mayo, and even add them to our salads. They add such a vibrant crispy contrast to whatever you add them to.
Kale chips are a real satisfying low-carb snack for hubby and me. The air fryer works out perfect for a one-time quantity, and when I want to make a bigger batch, I bake kale chips in the oven. I've included both methods, so pick whichever works best for you.
So, if you thought kale was only meant for soups and salads, give these air fryer kale chips a try- you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Air Fryer Facts: You can find a detailed guide on an Air Fryer - how it works, which one to buy, and what all you can cook in it, in this article: How Does an Air Fryer Work?
Before we get started, let's briefly discuss the health benefits of this super-green:
Are Kale Chips Healthy?
These air-fried kale chips are a healthy substitute for potato chips with fewer calories, fewer carbs, and much less fat. Each serving contains just 59 calories and 4 grams of net carbs.
And since they're baked not fried, they as just as healthy as raw kale, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and K.
For more easy and healthy air-fried vegetable recipes, check out this recipe collection: Best Air Fryer Vegetables
Ingredients- Notes & Variations
These delicious munchies come together with 3-4 basic ingredients. You will need:
- Kale- I prefer to use regular kale since baby kale leaves may burn fast. Buy a kale bunch with vibrant green, firm leaves (not limp). Feel free to take a store-ready shortcut by picking up a bag of triple-washed kale leaves from the salad section.
- Oil- Any nuetral oil will work here. I use avocado or olive oil.
- Seasoning- I've used a classic salt and pepper mix here, but feel free to add any seasoning of choice, or take inspiration from some of my favorites below:
Seasoning Variations for Kale Chips
In addition to 1 tablespoon olive oil, add the following spices to customize the flavors:
- Parmesan Kale Chips: Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of grated paremsan cheese along with the seasoning and enjoy a salty-nutty flavor. Skip the salt if adding pamesan.
- Spicy Kale Chips: Add ⅛ teaspoon cayenne to the seasoning.
- Indian twist: Skip the salt and add ¼-½ teaspoon chaat masala instead.
How to Make Kale Chips in Air Fryer
Cut and prepare kale leaves: To remove the stem, lay a kale stem flat on a cutting board and cut on either side of the stem, separating the leaves from the stem. Alternatively, Fold the leaf and cut along the stem. Tear the leaves in small pieces.
Rinse Kale: Rinse kale leaves and shake off excess water using a salad spinner, or by spreading and air drying them on a kitchen towel.
Season kale: In a large mixing bowl, add kale leaves and toss with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, or seasoning of choice.
Air Fry Kale Chips: Spread the kale in the fryer basket without overlapping too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in 2-3 batches.
Air Frying Tip: If your air fryer has a fan under the basket, place a wire rack or a trivet on top to prevent the kale chips from flying around.
Check on chips: Air fry at 350°F for about 3 minutes, checking on the chips after 2 minutes. If the chips on the sides are done, pull them out and continue air frying the remaining chips.
Alternate Method: Oven Baked Kale Chips
Preheat the oven to 300°F. Spread the kale on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the kale is crispy and slightly brown at the edges. Flip the chips halfway through.
Since these chips can burn easily and oven temperatures vary, check them after 18 minutes, then continue cooking as needed.
Serving Suggestions
These kale chips are best served right away. Enjoy them as-is, or dip them in lemon caper sauce, tartar sauce, or this spicy sriracha mayo.
How to Store Kale Chips
Air-fried kale chips are best served right away. You can store them for 3-4 days at room temperature in a brown paper bag, or on a paper towel-lined bowl, covered partially.
If they lose their crispness, air fry them for a minute before serving.
Recipe Tips & Notes:
- Fresh kale: Make sure you start with fresh, vibrant green kale leaves. For best results, cook it within 1-2 days or purchasing it.
- Crispy kale chips: Ensure that kale is absolutely dry before seasoning it. To allow enough time for drying, rinse the night before or a few hours ahead of assembling them.
- Save time: To save time, look for the pre-washed and prepped kale bags in the salad section of your grocery store.
- Place a trivet: If your air fryer has a fan under the fryer basket, place a trivet on top of the kale leaves. This prevents them from flying around.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can keep kale chips crispy by ensuring that they are dry before you air fry them. Store leftovers at room temperature in a brown paper bag, or on a paper towel-lined bowl, covered partially.
If the kale isn't dried well, the excess moisture causes them to steam, rather than crisp. This results in a chewy or soggy texture.
Yes, kale chips are very healthy. Since kale chips are baked not fried, they as just as healthy as raw kale, which is rich in antioxidants, vitamin A, C, and K.
More Air Fryer Snacks & Appetizers
Check out the full range of Air Fryer Appetizers and Snacks recipes.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Kale Chips (Crispy & Healthy)
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut and prepare kale leaves: To remove the stem, lay a kale stem flat on a cutting board and cut on either side of the stem, separating the leaves from the stem. Alternatively, Fold the leaf and cut along the stem. Tear the leaves in small pieces.
- Rinse Kale: Rinse kale leaves and shake off excess water using a salad spinner, or by spreading and air drying them on a kitchen towel.
- Season: In a large mixing bowl, add kale leaves and toss with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, or seasoning of choice.
- Air Fry Kale Chips: Spread the kale in the fryer basket without overlapping too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in 2-3 batches.Note: If your air fryer has a fan under the basket, place a wire rack or a trivet on top of kale to prevent the kale chips from flying around.
- Check on chips: Air fry at 350°F for about 3 minutes, checking on the chips after 2 minutes. If the chips on the sides are done, pull them out and continue air frying the remaining chips.
Video
Notes
- Fresh kale: Make sure you start with fresh, vibrant green kale leaves. For best results, cook it within 1-2 days or purchasing it.
- Crispy kale chips: Ensure that kale is absolutely dry before seasoning it. To allow enough time for drying, rinse the night before or a few hours ahead of assembling them.
- Save time: To save time, look for the pre-washed and prepped kale bags in the salad section of your grocery store.
- Place a trivet: If your air fryer has a fan under the fryer basket, place a trivet on top of the kale leaves. This prevents them from flying around.
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