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Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

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Crispy Kale Chips are a game changer when it comes to healthy snacking, and if you haven’t tried making them in the air fryer yet, you’re in for a treat. Just like Carrot Fries in Air Fryer, they are packed with flavor and super easy to make with only a few basic ingredients.

air fryer kale chips served in a bowl

Crispy kale chips are a guilt-free healthy snack option when you need something crunchy while being good for you. The air fryer makes them quick to whip up, without the greasiness of traditional fried snacks. They are great for parties too!

Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.

holding a piece of air fryer kale chips

Why Kale Chips in the Air Fryer?

Kale chips have been a popular snack for a while now, and for good reason. They’re light, crispy, and full of vitamins like A, C, and K, plus they’re a great source of fiber and antioxidants. While baking kale chips in the oven works well, using an air fryer takes them to a new level of crispiness in just 5 minutes. No need to wait for the oven to preheat or worry about uneven cooking—using the air fryer makes it quicker and easier.

Ingredients You’ll Need

picture of ingredients for air fryer kale chips
  • Kale – Curly kale works best for chips because its ridges hold onto seasonings and crisp up nicely.
  • Olive oil – Just a light drizzle is enough to get the leaves crispy.
  • Salt & pepper– Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for that perfect savory touch.

Optional Seasonings:

  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Nutritional yeast (for a cheesy flavor)
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne or Chili flakes (for a spicy kick)
  • Parmesan cheese (for an extra savory touch)

How to Make Crispy Kale Chips in an Air Fryer?

Important Note

Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.

Making these crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips is very easy. However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:

Start by washing your kale thoroughly. It’s important to dry the leaves completely—any moisture will keep them from getting crispy. You can pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner.

Once dry, remove the thick stems from the kale leaves. You’ll want to tear the kale into bite-sized pieces, roughly the size of a chip. The leaves will shrink as they cook, so don’t make them too small.

washed, picked, and seasoned fresh kale leaves are placed  in a bowl

In a large bowl, drizzle the kale with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the oil into the kale to ensure the leaves are evenly coated. After the oil, sprinkle on your seasonings of choice. Salt and pepper are a must, but you can add garlic powder, paprika, or any other flavors you like. Give the kale a good toss to make sure each leaf is covered.

Place the kale leaves in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a lot of kale, you may need to cook it in batches.

Quick Tip!

It’s important not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the air from circulating properly and keep the chips from crisping up.

seasoned kale leaves are placed in air fryer basket

Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the kale for 4 to 6 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a good shake to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the kale during the last minute—because it’s thin, it can go from perfectly crispy to burnt pretty quickly.

Once the kale is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two. The chips will crisp up even more as they cool.

air fryer kale chips served in a bowl

Expert Tips From the Chef

While the process is simple, there are a few tips and tricks to ensure you get the best results every time.

Don’t Overload the Air Fryer

Crowding the basket will lead to uneven cooking and soggy chips. It’s better to cook in smaller batches and get perfectly crispy results.

Watch Them Closely

Kale can burn quickly in an air fryer, especially during the last minute or two of cooking. Keep an eye on them, and don’t be afraid to check a little early to prevent burning.

Experiment with Flavors

The beauty of kale chips is how easily you can switch up the flavors. Try out different combinations of seasonings each time you make them. Garlic and Parmesan? Perfect. A dash of cayenne for a spicy kick? Go for it!

Use Fresh Kale

For the crispiest chips, always use fresh kale. Avoid using kale that’s wilted or starting to turn yellow, as it won’t cook up as well.

Store Properly

If you have any leftovers, store your kale chips in an airtight container to keep them crisp. However, they’re best enjoyed fresh.

Air Fryer Kale Chips vs. Oven-Baked Kale Chips

If you’ve made kale chips in the oven before, you might be wondering how air fryer kale chips stack up. Here are some of the key differences:

Cooking Time

Air fryer kale chips cook much faster—usually in under 5 minutes. Oven-baked kale chips can take around 20 minutes, making the air fryer a great option when you’re short on time.

Crispiness

The air fryer tends to give you a crispier result compared to the oven. Since the air fryer circulates hot air around the kale, it crisps up more evenly than in a traditional oven.

Ease of Use

Using an air fryer is generally easier, with less babysitting required. You don’t need to rotate pans or worry about hot spots in the oven.

Can I use any type of kale to make kale chips?

Yes, but curly kale works best for making kale chips. Its texture holds onto seasonings better and crisps up nicely in the air fryer. You can also use other varieties like lacinato (dinosaur) kale, but the texture may be a bit different.

How do I keep my kale chips from getting soggy?

Make sure to dry the kale leaves thoroughly before adding oil and seasoning. Any leftover moisture will cause the chips to steam instead of crisp up. Also, avoid using too much oil—a light coating is all you need.

Can I reheat kale chips in the air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat kale chips in the air fryer for a quick crisp-up. Set the air fryer to 300°F (150°C) and heat them for about 1-2 minutes. Just keep in mind they’ll never be as crispy as when freshly made.

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.

I hope you enjoy the process of preparing these deliciously crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips just as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂 

Bon appétit! 

Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

Ayla Clulee
Crispy Kale Chips are a game changer when it comes to healthy snacking, and if you haven’t tried making them in the air fryer yet, you’re in for a treat.
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 2 people
Calories 75 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g kale
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Start by washing your kale thoroughly. It’s important to dry the leaves completely—any moisture will keep them from getting crispy. You can pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner.
  • Once dry, remove the thick stems from the kale leaves. You’ll want to tear the kale into bite-sized pieces, roughly the size of a chip. The leaves will shrink as they cook, so don’t make them too small.
  • In a large bowl, drizzle the kale with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Massage the oil into the kale to ensure the leaves are evenly coated.
  • After the oil, sprinkle on your seasonings of choice. Salt and pepper are a must, but you can add garlic powder, paprika, or any other flavors you like. Give the kale a good toss to make sure each leaf is covered.
  • Place the kale leaves in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you have a lot of kale, you may need to cook it in batches.
  • Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the kale for 4 to 6 minutes. Halfway through, give the basket a good shake to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the kale during the last minute—because it’s thin, it can go from perfectly crispy to burnt pretty quickly.
  • Once the kale is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a minute or two. The chips will crisp up even more as they cool.

Notes

  • Crowding the basket will lead to uneven cooking and soggy chips. It’s better to cook in smaller batches and get perfectly crispy results.
  • Kale can burn quickly in an air fryer, especially during the last minute or two of cooking. Keep an eye on them, and don’t be afraid to check a little early to prevent burning.
  • The beauty of kale chips is how easily you can switch up the flavors. Try out different combinations of seasonings each time you make them. Garlic and Parmesan? Perfect. A dash of cayenne for a spicy kick? Go for it!
  • For the crispiest chips, always use fresh kale. Avoid using kale that’s wilted or starting to turn yellow, as it won’t cook up as well.
  • If you have any leftovers, store your kale chips in an airtight container to keep them crisp. However, they’re best enjoyed fresh.
Keyword air fryer, chips, healthy snack, kale, side dish, snack

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