Air Fryer Kale Chips: Healthy, Homemade, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make kale chips. They are a healthy, low-calorie snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. The process is simple: wash and dry the kale, remove the stems, tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces, and then toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and any desired seasonings. Spread the kale in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350-375°F for 3-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Air fryer kale chips are a tasty and crispy snack, perfect for those looking to add more vegetables to their diet!

How to prepare the kale

Preparing kale for air frying is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare the kale for making delicious kale chips in an air fryer:

Wash and Dry the Kale:

Start by rinsing the kale leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or residue. To dry the kale, you can use a salad spinner, which is an effective way to remove excess water. Alternatively, you can line a baking sheet with paper towels, place the wet kale leaves on top, and gently pat them dry with additional paper towels. It is important to ensure that the kale is thoroughly dried to achieve maximum crispness when air frying.

Remove the Stems:

Using a sharp paring knife, carefully remove the stems from the kale leaves. You can do this by folding each kale leaf in half, so the stem lies at one end, and then slicing along the stem to separate the leaves. Alternatively, you can pull the stem through your closed fist to detach the leaves without using a knife.

Tear the Kale into Bite-Sized Pieces:

Once the stems have been removed, tear the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces relatively uniform in size to ensure even cooking. Keep in mind that the kale will shrink slightly during cooking, so don't tear the pieces too small.

Massage the Kale with Oil:

Place the torn kale leaves in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil or avocado oil. You can also use a spray oil to lightly coat the leaves. Using your hands, gently massage the oil into the kale, ensuring that each piece is lightly and evenly coated. This step helps to tenderize the leaves and make them more digestible.

Season the Kale (Optional):

Before air frying, you can season the kale with salt and any other desired seasonings. A generous amount of salt will enhance the flavour of the kale chips. You can also experiment with different seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper, or even parmesan cheese. Simply sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the oiled kale and toss to combine.

Arrange the Kale in the Air Fryer Basket:

Spread the seasoned kale leaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring that they don't overlap too much. It's important to avoid overcrowding the basket to allow for even cooking. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and crispy kale chips in your air fryer!

How to season the kale

Seasoning your kale chips is a great way to add flavour and make them even more delicious. Here are some tips and ideas for seasoning your kale chips:

Preparation

Before seasoning, it's important to wash and dry your kale leaves. You can use a salad spinner to ensure they are completely dry. Remove the thick stems from the leaves, as these will stay tough after baking. Cut or tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.

Oil

Coat the kale leaves with a thin layer of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or a spray oil. Massage the oil into the leaves to ensure an even coating.

Salt

Add a generous amount of salt to your kale chips. This will enhance the flavour and make them taste more like classic potato chips.

Basic Seasonings

A simple combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder makes a great basic seasoning for kale chips. You can also add some chilli powder for an extra kick.

Flavour Variations

There are endless ways to season your kale chips. Here are some ideas for flavour variations:

• Spicy Nacho: cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, and chipotle powder.
• Ranch: dried dill weed, dried parsley, and granulated onion.
• Sweet and Smoky: brown sugar and smoked paprika.
• Herby: Italian seasoning or Provence.
• Cheesy: nutritional yeast or parmesan cheese.
• Spicy: fresh lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
• Curry Powder: try a globally-inspired variation with curry powder.
• Mexican-inspired: chilli powder, cumin, or taco seasoning.
• Old Bay: fresh lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning.
• Everything Bagel: use this popular seasoning blend to add flavour.
• Thai Ginger: fresh lemon juice, honey, tamari, ground ginger, and cayenne pepper.
• Sour Cream and Onion: a classic seasoning blend that goes well with kale chips.

How long to cook the kale chips

How long to cook kale chips

The cooking time for kale chips in an air fryer depends on the type of kale used and the desired crispiness. Curly kale is hardier and may need a little longer, whereas lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur kale) is more delicate and cooks faster.

The temperature you cook at will also affect the cooking time. Most recipes suggest cooking at around 350°F-375°F, but one source recommends 360°F.

Kale chips are usually done when they are crispy and a little browned at the edges. This can take as little as 3 minutes, but most sources recommend keeping an eye on them from the 3-minute mark and cooking for up to 6 minutes.

• Wash and dry the kale leaves.
• Remove the stems and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
• Place the kale in a bowl and toss with a small amount of oil (such as olive oil or avocado oil) and a pinch of salt. Massage the oil into the leaves to ensure each piece is coated. You can also add other seasonings at this point, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, or nutritional yeast.
• Transfer the kale to the air fryer basket, ensuring the leaves are in a single layer and not overlapping. You may need to cook in batches.
• Air fry the kale chips for 3-6 minutes at 350°F-375°F, shaking the pan halfway through. Keep a close eye on them to avoid burning.
• The kale chips are done when they are crispy and the edges are slightly browned.
• Remove the kale chips from the air fryer and allow them to cool. They will continue to crisp as they cool.

How to store kale chips

Kale chips are best stored in a paper bag, a loosely sealed plastic bag, or a container with a loosely fitted lid. You can also use a ziplock bag, but add a couple of tablespoons of uncooked rice to absorb any excess moisture. If you want to be extra careful, line your chosen container with a paper towel.

Before storing, make sure the kale chips have cooled completely. This is because the moisture produced as something cools from the oven can make the chips soggy.

Store your kale chips at room temperature for up to a week. If they lose their crunch, put them back in the air fryer for a minute or two.

If you want to store your kale chips for longer, you can try dehydrating them and then storing them in a mason jar sealed with a vacuum sealer.

What to serve with kale chips

Kale chips are a delicious, healthy, low-calorie snack that can be served with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas on what to serve with kale chips:

• Dips: Kale chips can be served with a variety of dips such as ranch, tahini sauce, garlic herb yogurt sauce, or a garlicky yoghurt dip.
• Eggs: Kale chips make a great side dish for breakfast when served with eggs.
• Grain bowl: You can add some crunch to your lunch by packing kale chips into a grain bowl.
• Protein: Kale chips can also be served as a side dish with a protein for dinner.
• Pizza: Use kale chips as a topping for pizza, instead of croutons in a salad, or as a crispy garnish for soups.
• Popcorn: Crumble kale chips and toss them with popcorn for a unique snack mix.
• Sandwich: Kale chips can be a crunchy side to your favourite sandwich.
• Mexican food: Kale chips can be used as a base for nachos, topped with salsa, avocado, red onion, guacamole, or hot sauce.

Kale chips are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a variety of dishes.

Frequently asked questions