Crispy Baked Kale Chips

Crispy baked kale chips are a healthy and tasty snack that you can easily make at home. They offer a guilt-free alternative to traditional chips, while still satisfying your crunch cravings. Packed with nutrients and flavor, these chips can be seasoned in various ways, making them a versatile addition to your snack list.

Why Make This Recipe

Making crispy baked kale chips is not only simple but also a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet. Kale is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with plenty of fiber. They are low in calories and can be customized with different spices or toppings according to your taste. Plus, they are a fun activity to make—perfect for kids or a healthy snack for movie night!

How to Make Crispy Baked Kale Chips

Ingredients

• 6 cups kale leaves (one bunch, loosely packed)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup almond meal
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set it aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the almond meal, sea salt, and black pepper. Set this mixture aside.
4. Remove the leafy green part of the kale from the tough stalk, and tear the leaves into smaller pieces.
5. Place the kale leaves into a large mixing bowl.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the kale and massage it with your hands until each piece is coated. This step is very important; if the kale is not coated, the other ingredients will not stick.
7. If necessary, add more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until all pieces are well coated.
8. Sprinkle the almond meal mixture over the olive oil-coated kale.
9. Use tongs to toss the mixture carefully, ensuring the dry ingredients distribute evenly without overmixing.
10. Bake for 25-40 minutes, or until the kale is crispy and just begins to brown. Remember to stir halfway through for even cooking.
11. Once they are brown and crispy, let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
12. Remove the cooled kale chips from the baking sheet. Enjoy them right away or store them in a container with a loosely-fitting lid.

How to Serve Crispy Baked Kale Chips

Crispy baked kale chips are great on their own, but you can also serve them as a side to a healthy dip, such as hummus or guacamole. They can also be sprinkled on salads for some extra texture or served alongside sandwiches for a delightful crunch.

How to Store Crispy Baked Kale Chips

To store your homemade kale chips, keep them in a container with a loosely-fitting lid. This will help maintain their crispiness. It’s best to eat them within a few days to enjoy the most flavor and texture.

Tips to Make Crispy Baked Kale Chips

• Make sure to dry the kale thoroughly after washing; excess moisture can prevent them from becoming crispy.
• Experiment with different seasonings! Try adding garlic powder or your favorite spices for more flavor.
• Watch the kale closely as it bakes; they can go from perfectly crispy to burnt in minutes.

Variation

You can easily switch up this recipe by using different nuts or seeds instead of almond meal. For example, try using crushed walnuts, sunflower seeds, or even a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.

FAQs

Q: Can I use other leafy greens instead of kale?
A: Yes! Spinach and Swiss chard work well too, but you may need to adjust the baking time as thinner leaves may crisp up faster.

Q: How do I know when the kale chips are done?
A: They should be dry and crispy, with a light golden color. If they feel soft, give them a little more time in the oven.

Q: Can I season kale chips after baking?
A: It’s best to season them before baking to ensure the flavors stick. However, you can sprinkle more seasoning on top after they are done if desired.

Crispy Baked Kale Chips

A healthy and tasty snack, these crispy baked kale chips are easy to make and customizable with various seasonings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Snack

Cuisine: Healthy

Calories: 70

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 6 cups kale leaves (one bunch, loosely packed)
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup almond meal
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and set it aside.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the almond meal, sea salt, and black pepper. Set this mixture aside.
4. Remove the leafy green part of the kale from the tough stalk, and tear the leaves into smaller pieces.
5. Place the kale leaves into a large mixing bowl.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the kale and massage it with your hands until each piece is coated.
7. If necessary, add more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until all pieces are well coated.
8. Sprinkle the almond meal mixture over the olive oil-coated kale.
9. Use tongs to toss the mixture carefully, ensuring the dry ingredients distribute evenly without overmixing.

Baking

1. Bake for 25-40 minutes, or until the kale is crispy and just begins to brown. Remember to stir halfway through for even cooking.
2. Once they are brown and crispy, let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
3. Remove the cooled kale chips from the baking sheet. Enjoy them right away or store them in a container with a loosely-fitting lid.

Notes

To store your homemade kale chips, keep them in a container with a loosely-fitting lid to maintain their crispiness. Best eaten within a few days for optimal flavor and texture. Consider experimenting with different seasonings like garlic powder or nutritional yeast for variety.