American · Appetizers

Kale Chips

Kale leaves torn, dried, tossed in olive oil and baked low until crisp and papery. Four servings in 25 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 25 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Where This Goes Wrong

Massage the oil into the kale with your hands; it coats the leaves more evenly than tossing.

If some pieces are crisp before others, take those out and return the rest to the oven.

Let the chips cool on the tray for a couple of minutes, since they crisp further as they cool.

Cooking Kale Chips

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  1. Heat the oven to 150°C / 300°F (130°C / 265°F fan) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.

  2. Wash the kale and dry it completely, first in a salad spinner or with a clean tea towel, then with paper towels. Tear it into pieces about the size of a large chip.

  3. Toss the kale with the oil, paprika, garlic powder and salt, massaging the oil in with your hands until every piece is lightly coated. Spread the pieces in a single layer on the trays without overlapping.

  4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, swapping the trays halfway, until the leaves are crisp and the edges are just turning brown. Cool on the trays for 2 minutes.

Why the Method Works

Why do homemade kale chips come out limp and chewy instead of crisp? Three reasons: wet leaves, too much oil and a crowded tray. Dry the kale completely. Use just 1 tbsp of oil for the whole batch, and spread the pieces in a single layer with gaps between them.

A low oven does the work. Bake at 150°C for 12 to 15 minutes: hot enough to crisp the leaves, gentle enough that the thin edges do not scorch. Remove the thick stems, which stay tough, and tear the leaves into pieces about the size of a chip. Check at 10 minutes, because kale goes from green to brown to bitter within a minute or two.

Salt lightly, since the chips shrink as they crisp and the seasoning concentrates. Eat them the day they are made. A bowl of them goes quickly, so bake two trays if you are feeding more than a few.

Storage and Reheating

Best eaten the day they are made. Keep in an airtight container for up to 1 day; they soften as they stand.

Serving Kale Chips

  • A bowl of tomato soup
  • Hummus
  • A handful of nuts

Common Questions About Kale Chips

How long does Kale Chips take to make?

About 25 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Kale Chips?

Massage the oil into the kale with your hands; it coats the leaves more evenly than tossing. If some pieces are crisp before others, take those out and return the rest to the oven. Let the chips cool on the tray for a couple of minutes, since they crisp further as they cool.

What should I serve with Kale Chips?

A bowl of tomato soup; Hummus; A handful of nuts.

Is Kale Chips suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Kale Chips?

About 64 kcal per serving, with 2 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate and 4 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

What's in a Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

64Calories
2gProtein
5gCarbs
4gFat
2gFibre
1gSugar
170mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.