Air-Fryer Crispy Kale: Healthy, Crunchy, And Delicious!

Kale chips are a delicious, healthy, low-calorie snack that can be made in an air fryer in less than 20 minutes. They are also vegan, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. To make them, you will need kale, oil, and salt. Start by tearing the kale leaves into bite-sized pieces and removing the tough stems. Next, wash and dry the kale thoroughly to ensure it crisps up in the air fryer. Then, add the kale to a bowl with oil and salt, and massage the leaves to ensure they are well-coated. Finally, spread the kale in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 350-375°F for 3-6 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally to ensure even cooking. You can also add various seasonings to your kale chips, such as nutritional yeast, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or parmesan cheese.

Making Crispy Kale in an Air Fryer

How to prepare kale for air frying

Air-frying kale is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy snack. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare kale for air frying:

Step 1: Wash and Dry the Kale

Start by washing your kale leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or pesticide residues. It is important to ensure that the kale is thoroughly cleaned before cooking. After washing, dry the kale leaves using a salad spinner or kitchen paper. It is crucial that the kale leaves are as dry as possible. If they are too wet, they will steam in the air fryer instead of becoming crispy.

Step 2: Remove the Stems

Using a sharp knife or your hands, remove the kale leaves from their stems. You can either cut the leaves away from the stems or simply tear them off with your hands. The stems can be discarded or saved for later use, such as adding them to smoothies.

Step 3: Tear the Kale into Bite-Sized Pieces

Once the stems have been removed, tear the kale leaves into bite-sized or chip-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces relatively equal in size to ensure even cooking. This will help prevent some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.

Step 4: Massage the Kale (Optional)

Place the dry kale pieces into a large mixing bowl. Add a small amount of olive oil or avocado oil and massage it into the leaves with your hands. This step helps to ensure that each piece of kale is coated with a thin layer of oil, promoting even crisping during cooking. You can also add other seasonings at this stage, such as salt, garlic powder, or nutritional yeast.

Step 5: Arrange the Kale in the Air Fryer Basket

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350-375°F. Transfer the prepared kale pieces to the air fryer basket, spreading them into a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this can cause the kale to steam instead of crisp. You may need to cook the kale in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Now that your kale is prepared and arranged in the air fryer, you are ready to start cooking! Follow the instructions for your specific air fryer model to determine the ideal cooking time and temperature. Enjoy your crispy, healthy snack!

The best oils for air fryer kale

Air fryer kale chips are a delicious, healthy, low-calorie snack that can be made in less than 20 minutes. The key to getting crispy kale chips is to ensure that the kale leaves are completely dry before placing them in the air fryer.

When it comes to the best oils for air fryer kale, you have a few options:

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a popular choice for air fryer kale chips. It has a relatively high smoke point, which means it can withstand the high temperatures of an air fryer without burning. Olive oil also adds a nice, subtle flavour to the kale. You only need enough to coat the leaves lightly, so about 1 tablespoon of olive oil for a bunch of kale should be sufficient.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is another great option for air fryer kale. Like olive oil, it has a high smoke point, so it's suitable for the high heat of an air fryer. Avocado oil has a neutral flavour, so it won't overpower the taste of the kale. You can also use an avocado oil spray to coat the leaves with less oil.

Cooking Spray

If you want to use even less oil, you can use a cooking spray instead. This will help you get an even coating of oil on the kale leaves without using too much.

Other Options

You can also experiment with other oils, such as extra-virgin olive oil or any other oil with a high smoke point. Just make sure to choose an oil that complements the flavour of the kale and has a suitable smoke point.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer kale is to ensure the leaves are dry and evenly coated with oil before placing them in the air fryer. Enjoy experimenting with different oils and seasonings to find your favourite combination!

Seasoning ideas for air fryer kale

Air fryer kale chips are a delicious, healthy, low-calorie snack that can be made in less than 20 minutes. You can season them in so many ways to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Simple Seasoning

For a simple seasoning, you can use just salt. A generous pinch of salt will do the trick, giving your kale chips a classic potato chip taste. You can also add ground black pepper to make a salty and peppery combination.

Spicy

If you like your snacks spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your kale chips. You can also add some paprika and cumin to give them a spicy kick.

Cheesy

For a cheesy flavour, add some grated parmesan or nutritional yeast to the kale before air frying. This will give the chips a delicious, savoury taste.

Savoury

For a savoury twist, try adding some garlic powder and onion powder. You could also add some dried dill and chives for extra flavour.

Homemade Seasoning Combinations

• Ranch: ½ tsp dried dill, ½ tsp dried chives, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
• Dorito: 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp salt

Dips

You can also enjoy your kale chips with a dip. Try ranch, tahini sauce, garlic herb yoghurt sauce, or a garlicky yoghurt dip.

Air frying times and temperatures

The air frying temperature and time for making crispy kale vary depending on the source and the type of kale used. However, the general temperature range is between 350°F and 375°F, and the frying time is between 3 and 6 minutes.

One source recommends preheating the air fryer to 360°F. They suggest cooking the kale for 3 minutes, shaking the basket, and then pouring the kale out onto a cutting board or baking sheet to cool and crisp up. They also recommend working in batches to prevent the kale from steaming and getting soggy.

Another source recommends air frying at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on the kale after 3 minutes and shaking the pan halfway through. They note that the kale is done when it is crispy and lightly browned at the edges.

A third source suggests air frying at 350°F for about 6 minutes, shaking the basket at 4 minutes and keeping a close eye after that. They mention that the kale is ready when it is crisp.

A fourth source provides instructions for both an air fryer and a conventional oven. For the air fryer, they recommend air frying at 190°C (375°F) for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket a few times during the process. They caution that the kale can go from limp to burnt very quickly, so it is important to check regularly near the end of the cooking time. For the oven, they suggest spreading the seasoned kale on two baking trays and roasting at 200°C (400°F) for a total of 12 minutes, tossing the kale after the first 7 minutes and then roasting for another 5 minutes or until crispy.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of kale used. For example, one source mentions that lacinato kale, also known as dinosaur kale, is more delicate and will cook more quickly than curly kale. Therefore, it is crucial to keep a close eye on the kale during the cooking process to ensure it does not burn.

How to store air fryer kale

To store air fryer kale, it's important to let the chips cool down completely before storing them. This is because if you don't, they'll steam up and go limp as soon as you seal the container.

Once cooled, the best way to store the kale chips is to place them in a paper bag and fold down the top. Paper is a breathable material that will allow air to circulate around the chips, helping them to retain their crunch. They should stay good for 2-3 days using this method.

If you want to store the chips for longer, you can place them in an airtight container. However, if you do this, any small drops of moisture will be unable to escape and will cause the chips to become soggy. To avoid this, you can add a cup of uncooked rice or some food-grade silica gel packs to the container. The rice or silica will absorb any moisture from the air around the kale chips and keep them crispy. Stored this way, the kale chips will last for 4-5 days.

It's important to note that kale chips should not be refrigerated, as the cold temperatures and extra moisture in the air will cause them to go soggy. The only time you should refrigerate kale chips is if you've seasoned them with a perishable ingredient, such as cheese, and plan on keeping them for longer than a few hours.

Frequently asked questions