Easy Air Fryer Kale Chips

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

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