Are you tired of feeling guilty about snacking on unhealthy chips? Look no further! Introducing Crispy Kale Chips, the ultimate solution for all health-conscious snack lovers. Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, these homemade kale chips will satisfy your cravings without compromising your well-being. Say goodbye to greasy and calorie-laden snacks, and join us to discover a deliciously wholesome alternative.
I love this baked kale recipe because it’s so easy to make, guilt-free, and nutritious. Baking kale chips are super easy, and they are perfect when you just need something savory without all the carbohydrates and packaging.
These chips are also very versatile. You just need to mix the two ingredients, and you can take them elsewhere. You are just changing the seasonings for your new guilt-free snacks.
We also love kale in many ways, as we do on this sage and kale pesto topping for roasted veggies like cauliflower steaks or a simple vegan kale salad with balsamic dressing.
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💚 Why you will love it
- Nutrient-dense snack
- Guilt-free indulgence
- Easy to customize
- Quick preparation
- Satisfying crunch
🧾 Ingredients
- Kale: Kale is the star of this recipe, providing a sturdy and nutrient-rich base for the chips. It adds a delightful crunch and contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Avocado oil: Avocado oil is the perfect choice for achieving a crispy texture and a subtle buttery flavor. It also contains healthy monounsaturated fats that are beneficial for heart health.
- Sesame seeds: These tiny seeds add a delightful nuttiness to the kale chips, enhancing their flavor and satisfying crunch. They are also a good calcium, iron, and healthy fats source.
- Salt: Salt is a key ingredient for enhancing the chips' overall taste, balancing the flavors, and bringing out the kale's natural savory notes.
- Optional garlic powder; Adding garlic powder brings a delicious savory kick to the kale chips, elevating their flavor profile and adding a hint of aromatic complexity.
🔪 Instructions
Let's get started on making these amazing crispy kale chips! Here's what you need to do:
- Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200°C) and get it nice and toasty.
- Take those beautiful kale leaves and gently rip them from their stems. Place them in a bowl, ready for some delicious transformation.
- Now, here's where the magic happens! Give the kale leaves a gentle massage with your hands for a few seconds. It's like giving them a little spa treatment. Then, add all the other ingredients to the bowl.
- Time to spread the kale mixture evenly on a large baking tray. Make sure it's spread out nicely, giving each piece enough room to crisp up to perfection.
- Pop that tray into the preheated oven and let the kale roast for about 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on them - you want them to turn golden and crispy, but not burnt!
- Once the initial roasting time is up, take the tray out and give the kale a good toss. This ensures that each chip gets evenly cooked. Put the tray back in the oven for another 7 minutes.
- And voilà! Your guilt-free crispy kale chips are ready to be devoured. Let them cool for a moment, and then dig in. Enjoy the crispy goodness!
💡 Expert tips
Ensuring your crispy kale chips turn out perfectly every time involves a few key techniques:
Start by thoroughly washing and drying the kale leaves; moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Torn leaves should be completely dry before oiling. Use your hands to massage the oil into the kale, ensuring each leaf is lightly and evenly coated. This step helps achieve that crave-worthy crunch.
When laying out the kale on the baking tray, spread the leaves in a single layer without overlap. Crowding can lead to steaming rather than crisping.
Keep a close eye on the kale during the final minutes of baking to prevent burning, as kale chips can quickly transition from perfectly crispy to burnt. Oven temperatures may vary, so adjust cooking time accordingly.
After mastering the basic recipe, experiment with seasoning blends to customize the flavor to your liking. Lemon zest, chili flakes, or nutritional yeast can add an extra dimension to your kale chips.
📖 Variations
Here are some delicious vegan variations to try with your crispy kale chips:
- Cheesy Vegan Parmesan: Instead of using traditional Parmesan cheese sprinkle this homemade vegan Parmesan over the kale chips before roasting, and enjoy the cheesy goodness!
- Spicy Chili Lime: Add a sprinkle of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the kale mixture for a spicy kick. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the chips to give them a tangy and refreshing flavor. These vegan-friendly spices will elevate the taste without compromising on your dietary preferences.
- Smoky Paprika: Enhance the smoky flavors by adding a dash of smoked paprika to the kale mixture. Smoked paprika provides a rich and smoky taste that will give your chips a satisfying depth of flavor.
- Tangy Balsamic Glaze: After roasting the kale chips, drizzle them with a small amount of balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar's tangy and slightly sweet flavor will provide a delightful contrast to the crispy kale chips, adding a delicious tanginess.
- Sweet and Savory Maple Glaze: Create a sweet and savory combination by drizzling the roasted kale chips with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. Toss gently to coat and return to the oven for a few more minutes to caramelize the glaze. The result is a mouthwatering blend of flavors that will satisfy your cravings.
Feel free to explore these vegan variations or get creative with your own combinations of herbs, spices, and seasonings. The world of vegan kale chips is full of endless possibilities!
🧐 Why is it guilt-free?
Why should you consider these kale chips guilt-free? Well, kale is truly a superstar in nutrition, and its popularity is skyrocketing for a reason!
Let's break it down: Kale is packed with an abundance of essential nutrients, making it one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can find on our beautiful planet.
But what exactly does "nutrient-dense" mean? Simply put, it means that kale offers a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats while keeping the calorie count relatively low. So, you can indulge in these crispy kale chips, knowing that you're treating your taste buds to a wholesome and nourishing snack.
So, grab a handful of guilt-free goodness and enjoy the fantastic flavors of these crispy kale chips while providing your body with abundant nutrients.
❓ FAQ
Cooked kale can last up to around 3-4 days if stored correctly. To make cooked kale last longer, storing it with as much air out of the container as possible is important. If you are storing your cooked kale in a plastic or glass container, release excess air by sealing only part of the lid and leaving some space between the lid and the food.
You should also keep your cooked kale refrigerated and eat within 3-4 days to stay fresh and not spoil quickly. It's also helpful to store portions rather than a large dish of cooked kale so that you can easily grab individual portions instead of having one big bowl in the fridge for too long. By following these tips, you can ensure that your cooked kale lasts up to 3-4 days after being prepared!
📚 More Nutritious Savory Snacks
Dive into the world of savory spreads with Lebanese hummus recipe.
Experience the smoky and rich flavors of Lebanese Babaganoush, a velvety Middle Eastern dip that perfectly balances earthy eggplant, tangy lemon, and fragrant spices.
Indulge in the irresistible combination of Crispy Tofu with 5-minute Vegan Pesto - enjoy the crispy exterior and tender interior of the tofu paired with a vibrant and zesty pesto sauce that will leave your taste buds craving more.
If you want an easy-to-make and sweet snack, try out our candied walnuts, they are perfect when you are on the go or even as a small present.
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe
Crispy Kale Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 ounces kale fresh
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil or sesame or peanut oil
Optional:
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder onion powder or your favorite spice
- sea salt to taste
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200°C).
- Rip the kale leaves from their stems and put them in a bowl.
- Massage it with your hands for a couple of seconds and add all the ingredients.
- Spread the mix on a large baking tray.
- Roast it for 5-7 mins.
- Toss it and roast for another 7 mins.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Jyoti Behrani
Love this recipe! I made this last night and they were delicious. Never buying store bought chips again. Thanks for such an easy and tasty recipe!
Danielle Wolter
What a great recipe! I love finding healthy snacks and these acme out so yummy!
Mandy Applegate
I love crispy kale and you made it so easy!
Natalie
One of my fav snacks. Looks amazing. I will give your recipe a try next time I'm filling my snack jar.
sonia
This baked cabbage recipe is very simple and delicious!
sue
Great post, and I didn't know that about buying organic kale, thanks. These look crispy and delicious enough to tempt me away from my favorite bowl of chips 🙂
Gus
you are welcome Sue!
Gina
Kale chips are the best for their crunchy texture. Love that I can literally eat an entire head worth of kale without any guilt!
Gus
that's so true! As a bonus kale has a lot of fiber and nutrients that make it a no-brainer!
maryanne
This is such an easy and tasty recipe for kale chips! I often add a few spoonfuls of nutritional yeast to mine as well - so good!
Mindee Taylor
Loved being able to make these at home instead of buying them! Also had never had sesame seeds on my kale chips. They were a delicious addition!
Heather Perine
I love crispy kale snack and always buy some at the store, I'm so excited to now be able to make it myself at home!