Last updated on May 12th, 2023

Crispy Kale Chips (Air Fryer or Baked)

Air fryer or oven-baked kale chips are nutritious, addictive and a great opt-in for regular salted potato chips. Once you start eating kale chips, you can’t stop eating them. Seasoned lightly with simple spices, these crispy chips are an easy snack on a low-carb diet.

Nothing can go wrong with making kale chips in the air fryer or oven; however you cook them, I’ll have you covered for what you need to know. All you need is a bit of pre-planning and bunches of kale to turn them into healthy keto chips for your game-day snacking table.

Tips on making Crispy Kale Chips (Air Fryer or Baked)

• Use two or more kale bunches to make enough chips for snacking on because they shrink a little while cooking.
• Wash and thoroughly dry the kale, and it’s worth going through the extra step by laying kale pieces out on a paper towel to dry for 15-20 minutes. 
• Pull kale pieces off the spine and discard the spine to make the chips less bitter.
• Preheat the air fryer or oven to maintain a steady temperature for the kale pieces to crispen.
• Combine the oil and seasoning to create a rub for the kale pieces.
• Lightly rub oil and spices on the kale pieces, one by one, before air-frying.
• Let the kale chips rest for a few minutes after cooking to let them crispen.

Are Kale Chips Low Carb?

2.1g  carbs / per serving

Kale is one of the best low-carb foods you can eat on a keto/low-carb diet. It is a cruciferous vegetable belonging to the same mustard family as broccoli, cabbage, and collard greens that share the same nutritional values and are rich in vitamins and minerals.

One serving (about a cup) of these Crispy Kale Chips is 2.1g of carbs with 0.9g of fibre.

When do you season kale for chips, Before or After Crisping?

Seasoning kale chips after or before cooking them is a personal choice. If you’ve ever had kale chips in the past, you’d know that they’re delicate and break easily when you grab a few at a time – unlike potato chips, which you can eat individually.

after air frying or baking…

For the longest time, I would only season my kale pieces after air frying or baking them, which seemed logical since we season our fries after frying or baking. But there was always something niggling in the back of my mind afterwards. Why did the seasoning gather at the bottom of the bowl? The chips tasted good on the top layers, but the seasoning wouldn’t stay on them too long.

before air frying or baking...

I now prefer to season the kale before air frying or baking them because that way, the seasoning stays on the kale right up until they’re crispy and beyond, and by rubbing the seasoning on each kale piece one by one (yes, it’s a bit tedious, and worth it), you’re ensuring an equal amount of savoury bite in each chip.

Ingredients you’ll need to make Crispy Kale Chips

Kale – A few varieties exist, but I use curly-leafed kale and buy 2-3 bunches.

Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.

Onion Powder – Flavours the kale with a simple onion powder that doesn’t overpower it.

Paprika – Adds a smoky taste; just enough is used to avoid burning the kale.

Salt – A little bit goes a long way; use it sparingly.

Steps to make Crispy Kale Chips (Air Fryer or Oven)

Prepare the kale:

The spine and stem from the kale leaves are rigid and taste bitter, so begin by pinching pieces off the spine and putting them in a colander.

Wash the kale and dry them thoroughly. You can put them in the spinner to completely drain out the water. It’s worth going through the extra step of laying them flat on a paper towel-lined sheet pan and letting them dry for about 15 minutes.

Make the Rub:

Add olive oil, onion powder, paprika, and salt in a small bowl. Stir to combine into a thick grainy paste.

Season the kale:

With clean hands, lightly dip the curly part of each kale piece into the spice rub and rub the mixture over the kale piece.  Doing this step one kale piece at a time ensures the rub evenly coats the kale.

To Air fry: 

Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 160° C.

Air fry the kale in batches. If you have another basket with a removable grid, use that to cover the kale, so they don’t fly around while cooking in the air fryer.

Air fry the kale for 3 minutes. The second batch may take less time because the air fryer has reached a suitable temperature. Remove the chips from the air fryer basket and let them sit for a few minutes before digging in.

To Bake:

Preheat the oven to 300° F.

Lay the rubbed kale pieces on a parchment-lined baking pan and bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them in case they start to turn brown. After 10 minutes, they may still be wet but will crisp up when left out on the counter. So let them rest for a few minutes before eating them.

If you have an Airfryer setting for your oven, bake the kale in an air fryer tray for 12 minutes at 300°F.

Storage Tips

Store kale chips covered in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. 

Prepared unseasoned kale pieces can be kept in the refrigerator and wrapped in a paper towel for about a week. Make the rub ahead and keep it on the counter for about two days.

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