Kale Chips, The Snack That Gives Back
Kale is a nutritional powerhouse—just one cup delivers 15% of your daily calcium and vitamin B6, plus over 200% of your vitamin C needs, according to WebMD. Still, this hearty green often gets a bad rap for its bitter flavor and tough texture. Normally, you’d have to cook it down forever just to make it palatable. But with this simple recipe, kale transforms in just 30 minutes into crispy, crave-worthy chips. Light, crunchy, and low in calories, they’re the perfect snack to tide you over until dinner—without derailing your diet. (Even my husband and toddler approve!)
Cook Time
Ingredients
- One Bunch of kale (curly or lacinato)
- Seasonings of Choice salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, smoked paprika, parmesan, or nutritional yeast
- A Few Sprays Cooking spray (olive oil does not work as well, they become soggy)
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Wash kale thoroughly, drain, and dry completely using paper towels or a salad spinner.
- Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Lay Kale as flat as you can on the baking sheet, trying to not overlap the pieces.
- Spray Kale once again with cooking spray to coat the top of the leaves.
- Sprinkle with your choice of spices
- Place in a preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
Tips for Success
Tips for Perfectly Crispy Kale Chips
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Dry well: Any leftover moisture makes chips soggy. A salad spinner works wonders.
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Don’t overcrowd: Give the kale plenty of space to crisp. Use two pans if needed.
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Watch the oven: Every oven is different—check after 15 minutes to avoid burning.
Flavor Variations
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Cheesy: sprinkle parmesan or nutritional yeast.
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Spicy: cayenne, chili powder, or hot smoked paprika.
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Kid-friendly: ranch seasoning or just sea salt.
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Sweet-savory: cinnamon + sea salt + drizzle of maple after baking.
Final Thoughts
Kale chips are quick, easy, and surprisingly kid-approved (even my toddler begs for them). They’re the perfect recipe to keep in your back pocket when you need something crunchy without the calorie crash of traditional chips.
This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.
© 2012 sclapaugh0323
