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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    5-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

    Modified: Feb 22, 2025 · Published: Sep 21, 2024 by Sarah Jenkins. This post may contain affiliate links. See the Privacy Policy at the bottom of this page.

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    Air Fryer Kale Chips are a delicious, quick, and easy snack that takes just minutes to prepare. Simply seasoned, these are a healthy way to get your crunch on! 

    air fryer kale chips on platter, on countertop.

    If there's one thing that I find hard to resist, it's a salty chip. And while there's nothing wrong with indulging in a big bag of Ruffles, I've been trying to be a tiny bit healthier lately and have found kale chips to be the healthy answer to my salty crunchy cravings.

    I've always made them in the oven, which isn't incredibly difficult, but the air fryer truly is a game changer when it comes to making these babies. They come out perfectly crispy each and every time, and you don't even have to turn your oven on!  Give these a try - I'm convinced this air fryer kale chips recipe will have you saying goodbye to your potato chips craving!

    Key Ingredients

    These easy kale chips can be made with just a handful of simple ingredients. 

    ingredients for air fryer kale chips on countertop, labeled.
    • Fresh kale. Fresh curly kale works best for this recipe, but you can also use dinosaur kale for a slightly different texture.
    • Olive oil. Adds a healthy fat that helps the kale crisp up perfectly.
    • Garlic powder and cayenne. These seasonings give your chips a nice kick of flavor. You can adjust the seasonings to your liking or swap them out with your favorite seasonings like onion powder, bagel seasoning, or taco seasoning.
    • Salt. A very light sprinkle of sea salt adds flavor and gives kale chips that satisfying salty taste that I'm always craving with potato chips. 

    How To Make The Best Air Fryer Kale Chips

    Maying this crunchy snack is a breeze, and takes just 5 minutes. Here's how to do it:

    1. Prep the kale. Start by washing the kale thoroughly in cold water and using a salad spinner to dry the kale completely. Remove the tough stems and tear the kale leaves into small pieces or chip-sized bits. This recipe works best when the kale is completely dry, so if it's still a bit damp after using the salad spinner, use a paper towel to remove any extra moisture.
    1. Massage the kale. By massaging a small amount of oil onto each piece, you ensure the kale cooks evenly resulting in a savory snack with lots of crunch. In a large bowl, toss the kale with olive oil and thoroughly massage each piece, ensuring an even coating (without adding much oil). It feels weird, but this step is best done using your hands. Make sure to massage every piece, really working the oil into the kale leaves.
    kale pieces massaged with oil in bowl, with spices on the side.
    1. Season. Sprinkle the garlic powder, cayenne, and salt over the top and toss again to combine. 
    kale pieces massaged with oil and seasoned, in bowl.
    1. Preheat the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 350°F using the preheat function.
    1. Fry the kale. Lay the seasoned kale in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. (If you're cooking a large amount of kale, you'll likey need to do this in 2-3 batches.) Air fry the kale for 3-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on the first batch as the cooking time may vary based on the size of your air fryer and the thickness of your kale.
    raw kale pieces in air fryer basket on countertop.
    cooked air fryer kale chips in air fryer basket.
    1. Finish and serve. Remove the crispy kale chips from the fryer and transfer to a bowl. Repeat the process with the remaining kale until done. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

    Variations And Substitutions

    There are loads of ways to customize this healthy snack!

    • Change up the oil.  I like using plain old olive oil in this recipe, but you could try avocado oil, garlic oil, or even sesame oil for a different flavor. 
    • Add some cheese. Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor.
    • Nutritional yeast. I've recently been experimenting with nutritional yeast to produce a fair-free, cheesy flavor. This would be a great addition to kale chips. 
    • Different seasonings.  Using different seasonings is a great way to add a unique twist to your kale chips. Try different seasoning blends like ranch seasoning, chili powder, or black pepper.
    • Try a different kind of kale. For a more delicate crunch, try using baby kale, though it may need a shorter cooking time. (I'd recommend starting at 2 minutes and checking closely from there. 
    side view of air fryer kale chips.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I store air fryer kale chips?

    Yes! Store your crispy kale chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. Keeping them dry will prevent fogginess.

    What’s the best way to dry kale?

    Using a salad spinner is the most efficient way to ensure your kale is completely dry before air frying. You can also pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. (I often do both to make sure the kale is completely dry.)

    Why is my kale not crispy?

    If your chips aren't crisping up, they might be overcrowded in the air fryer or they may still have moisture on them. Lay the kale in a single layer and ensure it's thoroughly dry before cooking.

    Can I use the oven instead?

    Yes, you can make oven kale chips by spreading the kale on a baking sheet and roasting at 300°F for about 10-15 minutes. But, if it's speed you're after, the air fryer is truly the best way to get perfectly crispy chips in no time.

    What can I serve with kale chips?

    Honestly? Anything! I love them all on their own as a snack or appetizer, and they make a great substitute for regular chips. They're the perfect side for something like a delicious tuna avocado sandwich, a chopped Italian sandwich, or a turkey & apple grilled cheese.

    hand holding one air fried kale chip.

    If you try this Crispy Air Fryer Kale Recipe, let me know what you think in the comments below! And don't forget to tag me @frontrangefed on Instagram so I can see your masterpiece!

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    • Frozen Corn Dogs In The Air Fryer
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    Recipe

    air fryer kale chip on platter on countertop.

    5-Minute Air Fryer Kale Chips

    Author: Sarah Jenkins
    Air Fryer Kale Chips are a delicious, quick and easy snack that takes just minutes to prepare. Simply seasoned, these are a healthy way to get your crunch on!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 32 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large bunch of fresh kale (I like curly cake for this recipe)
    • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 pinch of salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Wash the kale and dry it thoroughly. You may wish to use a salad spinner to dry the kale, in addition to using a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
    • Remove the kale from the stalks and tear it into smaller pieces (about chip size).
    • Add the kale to a large bowl. Pour the olive oil over the top and thoroughly massage each piece of kale so that it’s coated in the oil. (Note - you really only need a little bit of olive oil here so use it sparingly.
    • Sprinkle the salt over the kale and toss to combine.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees. Add the kale chips in a single layer (do not crowd the kale!) in your air fryer basket.
    • Air Fry the kale chips for 3-4 minutes (thicker kale may take longer to become crisp).
    • Once the chips are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a large bowl.
    • Continue frying the chips in batches until complete.

    Notes

    • If you don't want soggy kale chips, don't crowd the kale in your air fryer basket. Be sure to add it in a single layer, with enough space for the air to circulate.
    • To store leftover kale chips, allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container (like a zip lock bag), lined with paper towels to absorb any moisture.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 32kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 0.1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 301IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword 5-minute snack, healthy dessert
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

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    Sarah Jenkins

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I love creating dishes based on what's in season and using local ingredients as often as I can. I hope you'll find some new to you recipes here that will inspire you to make something delicious!

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