Step aside potato chips, there's a new crispy snack in town! Air Fryer Kale Chips are easy and fast to make, a low calorie healthy crunchy snack with all the benefits of kale!
If you love a crispy crunchy snack this easy kale chips recipe is for you! Transform this leafy green into a perfect healthy snack in about 3 minutes! You just need an air fryer and a few simple ingredients including fresh kale.
Using your seasoning of choice you can always have a different flavor when making your own kale chips! It's a very easy air fryer recipe and faster than making oven kale chips.
Jump to:
What are Kale Chips?
If you haven't enjoyed kale chips before the hot air in the air fryer quickly dehydrates fresh kale pieces into irresistibly good crispy kale 'chips'. They have a delicate crunchy bite that is so satisfying especially to crispy snack lovers.
What makes this skinny?
The recipe is kale and some spritzing of olive oil spray only keeping it skinny unlike deep fried potato chips or kale chips tossed with lots of olive oil.
Recipe Ingredients Notes
Kale. Start with a large bunch of kale (not chopped bagged kale). Carefully rinse the leaves by opening them and using a water spray attachment from your sink. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel or use a salad spinner. Any type of kale can be used (curly kale, Lachinato kale, etc).
Seasoning. Kosher salt is a simple seasoning. We also like Everything Bagel seasoning. If using that use 1 tablespoon and be sure to toss the kale in between cooking batches so the seasoning doesn't settle on the lower layer making the crispy kale chips too salty.
Olive oil spray. Instead of using olive oil spritzing with olive oil spray achieves the same end result with fewer calories.
Seasoning Ideas
Once you've made these easy air fryer kale chips you'll have fun experimenting with different seasonings! They can be flavored in a variety of ways Here are some favorite seasonings ideas to get you started:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sea salt or Kosher Salt (use around ¼ teaspoon)
- Everything Bagel seasoning. Check the ingredients for the seasoning blend being used. Some have a lot of salt which will make the kale chips too salty if too much is used. Also toss fresh kale between batches so the seasoning doesn't filter down to make the last kale chips cooked overly seasoned.
- Black pepper
- Sesame seeds
How to make Air Fryer Kale Chips - Step-by-Step
Detailed printable recipe card may be found at the end of this post.
STEP 1. Prepare
Using a sharp knife remove the stem and center rib of the rinsed, dried kale leaves. Cut or tear into 2-inch pieces (photo 1).
Place the kale leaves in a large mixing bowl. Spritz with olive oil, toss and massage to lightly coat the leaves. Repeat as needed to have some oil spray on all the leaves (about 3 short sprays total with tossing in between).
Toss in desired seasoning to evenly distribute (photo 2).
STEP 2. Cook
Line the air fryer basket in a single layer of prepared kale pieces (photo 3). Cook on 370 degrees f for 3 minutes (photo 4). If the kale chips are not crispy at 3 minutes add another minute. Do not allow the chips to burn.
Remove from the air fryer and place on a cooling rack (photo 5).
NOTE: the size of your air fryer will determine how many batches you'll need to do.
Pro Tips
Cook in batches. The air fry kale chips cook best in a single layer with little overlap of the raw kale pieces. They batches cook quickly!
Keep a close eye on the kale chips when cooking. The kale chips cook fast and can go from 'done' to burned quickly. We suggest cooking for 3 minutes; starting with less time and adding more time if necessary. Check as the kale chips are cooking.
All air fryers cook differently. Because every size and brand of air fryer cooks slightly differently it's important to monitor the kale chips as they cook for the best results. We tested this recipe in multiple air fryers and we personally use a 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer.
How to Store to keep Kale Chips Crisp
Store the air fryer kale chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips, grab air-tight containers of these healthy kale chips instead.
More recipes you'll love!
Recipe
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale
- olive oil spray
- seasonings (see notes) optional
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse the kale and dry with paper towels. With a sharp knife remove the stem and rib running up the center of each kale leaf. But the remaining kale into 2-inch pieces.
- Place the kale in a large mixing bowl. Spritz with olive oil spray and toss the kale pieces to coat, massaging the spray into the leaves. Repeat twice more to ensure each piece has some olive oil spray on it.
- Add any desired seasonings (see Notes for suggestions). Toss to coat the kale leaves.
- Add some of the coated kale leaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you'll cook in batches). Cook on 370 degrees F for 3 minutes. Check the kale leaves; if they are crisp they are done. If not add 1 additional minute and check them again. NOTE: all air fryers cook slightly differently due to size or brand.
- When the kale chips are crisp remove them and place on a wire cooling rack to cool. Repeat for the remaining kale pieces.
Notes
- Garlic powder - start with ½ teaspoon and adjust as preferred
- Onion powder - tart with ½ teaspoon and adjust as preferred
- Sea salt or Kosher Salt (use around ¼ teaspoon)
- Everything Bagel seasoning. Check the ingredients for the seasoning blend being used. Some have a lot of salt which will make the kale chips too salty if too much is used. Also toss fresh kale between batches so the seasoning doesn't filter down to make the last kale chips cooked overly seasoned.
- Black pepper - use around ¼ teaspoon
- Sesame seeds - use 1-2 tablespoons for a nutty flavor.
Melissa says
Great way to get that crunch without eating chips!
Betsy says
These are so tasty! Love this fun, healthy option! And, if I choose to leave out garlic and onion they're delightfully low fodmap! I'll be doing these over and over, that's for sure!
Andrea Thueson says
I have wanted to try kale chips for a while, and I finally gave them a try. The air fryer made them so delicious! I can't believe I waited so long to make them. Thank you for your recipe.
Liana says
These are delicious!! So much faster than making them in the oven. Love the flavor and crispness (and the zero WW points).
Julie says
These kale chips are so easy to make and I like that I can change up the seasonings. A great snack.
Erica says
I love these kale chips. They are healthy and totally guilt-free. Your recipe is so fast and easy!!
Jenn says
Fried kale chips have been my go-to but I was so excited to try them in my air fryer. Turned out perfectly, and so much less greasy, too!
Kushigalu says
Love this air fryer version of kale chips. Thanks for sharing