Air fryer kale chips are super crispy, simple to prepare, and ready in under 20 minutes! Plus, enjoy 7 seasoning options for these moreish air-fried or baked kale chips!
Low Carb, Low Calorie, Delicious Air Fryer Kale Chips
If you're a savory snacker, these air fryer kale chips make for a fantastic healthier alternative to potato chips and a delicious way to eat more veggies. With just a bunch of kale, minimal oil, and the seasonings of your choice, these air-fried kale chips are a healthy, low-calorie, low-carb snack packed with fiber and several vitamins and minerals (including Vitamins A, C, E, K, calcium, and potassium).
While I've made baked kale chips with fine results, these air fryer kale chips save time and electricity and are more evenly crispy with no more effort (or tons of oil)! Overall, homemade kale chips are quick, simple, and inexpensive to make, with practically unlimited seasoning options (keep reading for my favorite options), so get creative.
They're also super diet-friendly; gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, whole30, keto, low-carb, low calorie, etc.! And if you're a big fan of these air-fried kale chips but prefer something a little sweeter, you might also like air fryer apple cinnamon chips!
The Ingredients
This vegan kale chips recipe requires just four base ingredients.
- Kale: I recommend using organic curly kale bunches, though pre-cut kale will work in a pinch. Lacinato kale (dinosaur kale) also works.
- Oil: Use any neutral-flavored cooking oil like vegetable oil, avocado oil, or light olive oil.
- Spices: I used a really simple combination of sea salt and garlic powder. When combined with the nutritional yeast, this is a simple but delicious vegan 'cheesy kale chips' option.
- Nutritional yeast: (optional) Will add a subtle 'cheesiness' and umami depth, like a vegan parmesan cheese alternative.
At their simplest flavor, you can season the homemade kale chips with just a sprinkle of sea salt.
More Seasoned Kale Chips Options
You can really get creative with making different seasoned kale chips. Here are just a few options I love.
- Sea salt and vinegar kale chips: Use 1 tablespoon oil + 1-2 tablespoon vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar or malt vinegar) + around ½ teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste) per bunch of kale.
- Vegan ranch kale chips: Use vegan ranch seasoning mix along with the oil.
- Spicy kale chips: There are several ways to do this. You can add red pepper flakes and/or cayenne pepper or chili powder to the main recipe. OR, omit the nutritional yeast and add smoked paprika and cumin with your spicy ingredient/s.
- Taco seasoning: Combine taco seasoning (choose mild, medium, or spicy) and nutritional yeast + oil. Optionally add nutritional yeast for a subtle 'cheesy' flavor.
- Curried: Use curry powder or garam masala with salt to taste.
- Za'atar: Season to taste.
How to Make Kale Chips in An Air Fryer?
Learning to air fry kale chips until crispy takes minimal effort and time, with just four simple steps.
- 1) First, prepare the kale by washing it well, removing tough stems, chopping or tearing it into roughly 2-inch pieces, and then patting it thoroughly dry with a clean kitchen towel.
You can save the discarded kale bits to make homemade vegetable stock.
- 2) Transfer the kale to a large bowl and add the oil, gently massaging it until thoroughly coated and slightly tenderized (around a minute). Add the seasonings at the same time and toss to season well (or you can sprinkle the seasonings over the chips in the air fryer).
- 3) Spread the kale in your air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 350F/177C for 3-5 minutes, until the kale is crispy and lightly browned at the edges.
- 4) Remove the crispy kale chips from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 5 minutes, as they'll continue to crisp as they cool. Enjoy!
I recommend constantly monitoring the air-fried kale chips to ensure they don't burn. It can also help to shake the air fryer halfway through.
Enjoy the air fryer kale chips as a snack either alone or with a dipping sauce like creamy vegan tzatziki, vegan ranch, or even hummus. I also sometimes serve them as a side to meals like sandwiches, a vegan grilled cheese, wraps, etc.
FAQs
Prepare the kale chips according to the recipe, then spread across a large parchment-lined baking tray (or two) in a single layer, with some space between. Then bake in a preheated oven at 300F/150C for 10 minutes, then rotate the tray and shake/flip them. Continue to bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy and lightly browned.
Some of the baked kale chips will brown and become crispy sooner than others. To avoid burning, you can use tongs to remove the leaves as they become ready. That way, none are under or over-baked.
Kale is a nutritionally dense superfood (and has been dubbed one of the most nutritious foods on the planet) packed with fiber and an excellent source of several essential nutrients.
In fact, a single cup of raw kale contains almost 700% of your daily vitamin K, over 200% vitamin A, and around 130 (ish)% daily vitamin C!
Combined with the fact that these leafy greens are also low in calories (at just over 30 calories per cup of raw kale) and carbs, they make for a perfect potato chip alternative and healthy snack for all.
This is usually because the kale wasn't fully dry, OR they were overcrowded in the air fryer/oven, so the air couldn't flow fully around them.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Ensure the kale is dry: A salad spinner can help with this.
- Don't overcrowd the tray: This is vital for ensuring you get wonderfully crispy kale chips. Work in batches if necessary.
- To hold the chips in place: If you notice your kale chips flying around in your air fryer, add an air fryer rack or something similar to help hold them in place.
- Air fryer time will vary: Based on the size of the kale pieces and your air fryer model.
How To Store Homemade Kale Chips?
The issue with storing crispy kale chips is trying to keep them crispy. I recommend storing any leftovers loosely covered in a paper bag lined with a paper towel.
Store the air fryer kale chips in a cool, dry location (away from moisture/ humidity so definitely not in the fridge) and they should last at room temperature for 5-7 days. Avoid the refrigerator, as it will make them soggy quickly.
If they lose a little of their crispiness, reheat them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp up.
More Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
- Dehydrated apple chips
- Air fryer pizza rolls
- Vegan black bean nachos
- Air fryer hash browns
- Butternut squash (cubes & halves)
- Crispy air fryer tofu
- Hasselback potatoes
- Air fryer asparagus
If you try this easy vegan air fryer kale chips recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. I'd also really appreciate a recipe card rating!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Easy Air Fryer Kale Chips
Equipment
- measuring spoons
- large bowl
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of curly kale washed, stems removed, and completely dried (about 4 cups)
- ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil
- A couple pinches of salt
- Pinch of garlic powder optional
- Pinch of nutritional yeast optional
Instructions
- Cut the kale into 2-inch pieces.
- Place the kale in a large bowl. Pour on the oil and gently massage it in for 1 minute.
- Lay the kale in the air fryer basket in a single layer, sprinkle on a pinch or two of salt and garlic powder and nutritional yeast (if using), and cook for 3 to 4 minutes at 350 degrees F constantly monitoring, or until the kale is crispy and lightly browned at the edges of the kale.
Notes
- Ensure the kale is dry: A salad spinner can help with this.
- Don't overcrowd the tray: This is vital for ensuring you get wonderfully crispy kale chips. Work in batches if necessary.
- To hold the chips in place: If you notice your kale chips flying around in your air fryer, add an air fryer rack or something similar to help hold them in place.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although foodsharingvegan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Foodsharingvegan.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Andrea says
So simple! Love that healthy crunch!
Grace Tejero says
This is one of my favorite snacks! Perfect snacks while watching movies!
Andrea says
Yess! The perfect crunchy and healthy snack!
Choclette says
Love kale chips, but not tried any seasonings. Now I've got lots of choices - yay!
Andrea says
Let us know what you end up trying 🙂
Nancy says
The salad spinner trick makes a difference
Andrea says
So true! Definitely helps a ton!
Janaye says
A really quick and easy snack!
Andrea says
Gotta love a nice, crunchy, and healthy snack!
Tina says
Love how quick these are to make!
Andrea says
Gotta love the quick and easy recipes!
Gina H. says
Much easier in the air-fryer, especially during the hot weather when you really don't want to turn on the oven. Thank you for this great snack recipe!
Andrea says
So true! Gotta love a good air fryer snack!
Teodora says
Simple, delicious, and healthy! Perfect!
Andrea says
Yessss. Simple homemade snack recipes are always winners!
Michelle says
Mind blown. I can't believe this works!
Andrea says
Right?! Such a healthy chip!