Who knew I could cook? Okay, maybe it doesn’t actually count as skills when a recipe is as easy as this: spray, salt, bake, remove, eat. No lies! Kale chips are healthy and so, so easy to make.
Preheat your oven to about 325 fahrenheit (about 160 celsius), then start by washing your kale and drying it THOROUGHLY. It is key to make sure the kale is totally dry before you bake it, or you’ll end up with a soggy, wet mess. I rinsed off my kale and then just used paper towel to dry it all out. Then remove the leaves from the stem (the big, thick part down the center) and toss the stem. Then you’re going to tear up your kale leaves into chip-sized pieces.
The next step is to lay your kale all out on the pan. Through a little trial and error, I found the best way for me to do this was with the curly side (the brighter green side of the kale that all the leaf edges curls in towards) face-down on the pan. This meant that the leaves weren’t laying totally flat and air could circulate while they were in the oven to dry them out evenly. At this point, you can either very LIGHTLY drizzle olive oil over the top (I say lightly in caps because I mean business- if you even the tiniest bit too much oil you will make your kale chips soggy and they’ll burn before they have a chance to dry out) or you can give it a mist over with something like Pam.
Then salt or add seasonings of your choice (go lightly on the seasoning too, the kale really takes the flavor in and too much salt ruins them! Even if you are like me and think that you LOVE salty things, too much salt is just horrible on these. Don’t do it, haha). Google around for some seasoning ideas, there are tons. Or just throw on whatever you like (garlic salt is yummy with a little bit of lemon!).
Now bake it! Put your pan in the oven (middle rack) and bake your kale chips for about five minutes. At the five minute mark, give them a shake to make sure none are sticking/burning to the bottom (use tongs to give them a little fluff up if you need to, but be gentle) and then turn your pan 180 degrees. Put them back in the oven and at the three minute mark, get down low and watch those suckers. In the last few minutes of baking, it is CRUCIAL that you keep a close eye to make sure they’re not burning. You want them crisp, but as soon as they start going dark that means they are burning (duh, haha) and there is no going back. They’ll take on a yucky, bitter taste at that point and you definitely won’t want to eat them, so keep a close eye! I ended up keeping mine in about four minutes after the five-minute-mark when I turned the pan.
And of course once they’re out and beautifully baked to a crispy texture… eat them! They’re best straight out of the oven so grab a bowl and snack away (guilt-free). Enjoy!
What seasonings do you like to put on your kale chips? Have you ever tried them before?
Karissa Shaw says
This look really great! I have been wanting to try them but I’m just too chicken! Maybe I’ll give it a go when I get the urge to cook something :)
Karissa
http://www.karissaandcompany.com
Chelsea says
They are so simple to make :) And guilt-free!
Tabitha says
Thanks for the recipe, Chelsea. I will be sure to try to out soon. They look delicious.
Chelsea says
They really are :)
Amber.M says
I’ve always wondered if these were hard to make or not.
Chelsea says
Noooope- super easy! Just have to watch them close, so luckily they don’t take long at all.
brett says
these look so EASY to make!! and delicious :)
Chelsea says
They are SUPER easy!
Carly says
These look delish!
Chelsea says
They really are! :)
Katie says
Okay, for as much as I’ve heard about them, I have yet to make kale chips! Terrible, I know. Thanks for the recipe, I think I’ll be making these soon! If anything, to satisfy my curiosity!
xo
Chelsea says
Hahaha- I did it purely to satisfy my curiosity too. Enjoy!
Cate @ Wild Ruffle says
I love kale chips. I might just have to make some tonight because of this post. :)
Chelsea says
Hahah I hope you did ;)
jackie says
yum! love kale chips but haven’t made them myself before. sounds so yummy and easy though :)
— jackie @ jade and oak
Chelsea says
Do you buy pre-made? Do those exist? Cause I think I’d love them, haha.
Jordan says
Sounds delicious! I need to try this soon :)
Jordan | Boho Vanity
Chelsea says
You sure should- they are so easy and yummy!
Kelly says
I really have to try these!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Chelsea says
You so should!!
Kathe says
These are yummy! After I tried your recipe I made my next batch with sesame oil and sesame seeds…gave it a nutty asian aroma and flavor to it….thanks Chelsea!
Chelsea says
Oh yummm! Good idea! I want to try them with dill and lemon… sounds a little weird but I love dill and I love lemon ahahah.
Caitlyn S. says
I’ve never had these. I’ve been looking for a healthy and salty snack… What do they taste like? I’ll have tit ry some and find out…
Chelsea says
Honestly they will probably taste like something you’ve never tried before. That’s what I thought, anyways. But not in a bad way at all. I love salty, crispy foods so they were great to me! It does depend on what you put on them as well :) Be careful not to oversalt, I did that with my first batch and it was noooo good.
Amy@ a cup full of sass says
I really want to try these, Thanks for sharing on the Monday Funday Party. Pinning to our group board.
Kyla @HouseOfHipsters says
This is great! I’ve tried making these myself and although they are great, I always put too much oil on them or too much salt. Going to try misting with Pam! Thank you for sharing this post on Found & Foraged!
Jesica says
These look great! I tried making kale chips once and burned them… I think you’ve inspired me to give it another chance :)
Corinne says
This is exactly how I make my kale chips and you are right–drizzle lightly with the oil and go easy on the salt! Thanks for sharing the tip about laying them curly side down. I didn’t realize it made a difference. So glad you linked up at the This Is How We Roll Thursday party.
Christine from So Domestically Challenged says
I’ve never tried Kale, but these look pretty good! I might have to give it a shot :)
Thanks so much for linking up with Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday. I hope we see you again this week!