Hey there, folks! Austin Carter here from Beyond the Bayou Blog. Now, I know what you’re thinking – Kale Chips? Ain’t nobody got time for that rabbit food! But let me tell you, these crispy little morsels are about to change your mind.
Growing up, my mama was always trying to get me to eat my greens. She’d make us eat a whole plate of collard greens or mustard greens before we could have dessert. Well, let’s just say I wasn’t a big fan back then. But these air fryer kale chips? Game-changer!
With just a few simple ingredients and that magical air fryer, those tough kale leaves transform into the most addictive snack you’ve ever tasted. Crispy, salty, with a kick of spice – they’re like nature’s potato chips, but way better for you.
Once you pop one of these babies in your mouth, you won’t be able to stop. They’re that good. So let’s get cooking and show kale who’s boss! Even a die-hard fried food lover like me is about to become a kale chip convert. For more crunchy snacks, you can try Fried Zucchini Chips.
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Large Bowl
- Cutting Board or Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 6 ounces kale leaves
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F.
- Remove kale leaves from stems and chop into small pieces.
- Toss kale with olive oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne.
- Add a layer of kale to the air fryer basket and cook for 3 minutes.
- Shake basket and transfer cooked kale to a cutting board to cool and crisp up.
- Repeat with remaining kale in batches.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Tips that Will Help!
It doesn’t matter if you are an expert chef or new to using an air fryer. This air fryer kale recipe will come out perfectly crispy every time with a few tips. Get ready to add some fiber to your day!
- Dry kale leaves well: Drying your kale leaves is the key to getting crispy air fryer chips. It is recommended to use a salad spinner or lay your washed kale on a paper towel-lined tray for complete dryness. It’s important to note that you should also not let your kale sit out for too long, as the leaves will lose their firmness.
- Gently rub kale with oil: A light, even coating of oil is necessary to give your kale chips enough crunch. For this reason, it’s essential that you gently rub your leaves with the oil for 30-40 seconds before adding them to the air fryer.
- Arrange leaves in a single layer: For proper cooking, it’s crucial to arrange your kale leaves in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Overcrowding will prevent the chips from crisping up evenly. Remember that you’ll likely have to cook your kale in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Shrinkage Expected The kale pieces will shrink in size when they turn into chips. This is normal and to be expected.
- Avoid Overcooking Overcooking them will cause them to taste burnt and crumble easily, so keep a close eye on them after about 3 minutes.
- Cover Loose Pieces If you have an air fryer that causes pieces to blow around, cover them with another air fryer rack.
- Follow Manufacturer Instructions Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to properly and safely use your air fryer. If it requires you to preheat the air fryer, simply cut back on the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.
- Use Oil Sparingly Do not overdo it with oil. Using too much oil will cause the kale chips to become soggy.
- Single Layer Do not overlap the kale pieces – keep them in a single layer and cook in batches if needed.
- Use Remaining Kale Any remaining kale can be used to make more kale chips, added to soups, used in place of lettuce for a wrap or sandwich, or frozen to be used in smoothies at a later date.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Kale Chips?
