Air Fryer Crispy Kale chips are the perfect easy snack for the whole family. Kids love to both make and eat these kale chips. A snack that is top 8 free, dairy and gluten free as well as vegan but quick to make.
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Why We Like This Recipe
Air Fryer Crispy Kale Chips are one of our kids’ favourite snacks. When we pick up fresh kale when it is in season and on sale we make these kale chips a couple of times a week. They are really quick and simple to make. So much so the kids are now able to do most of the work themselves as there isn't any cutting or dicing, just tearing. They get a hand for an adult for the air fryer but otherwise they can make this recipe easily with supervision.
The kids eat the chips as quickly as we can make them. It is rare we have any left over. They have zero clue they are vegetable crisps.
Ingredients
- Kale, Washed well and dried
- Olive Oil
- Seasoning Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
The Ingredient Low Down
Kale, Washed well and dried - The large inner ribs are really bitter so they are best removed.
Seasoning Salt - we use our own blend of seasonings we make in this gluten free seasoning salt recipe. Make sure the spices you use are verified with the manufacturer for allergen safety.
Instructions/Directions and Tips
Step 1
Remove the middle rib of the kale. Tear the kale into bite size pieces removing large veins.
Step 2
Put the torn kale into a large bowl. Add olive oil and massage into kale. Massaging helps the kale break down a bit. We find it helps to crisp the segments quicker.
Step 3
Sprinkle on the seasoning salt to the oiled kale and toss to distribute salt evenly.
Step 4
Preheat the air fryer.
Step 5
Put 2 cups of kale mix in the preheated air fryer basket. You may need to use less than 2 cups if your air fryer is smaller.
Step 6
Cook kale at 320F for 8-10 minutes, halfway through shake the kale chips to help with even cooking.
Hint: Check the air fryer crispy kale chips at 7 minutes to see how close they are getting to being done and not burning. You can tell they are done as they are crisp and not soggy at all. Check again at 9 minutes, if they needed more time.
Substitutions
Oil is needed so the kale doesn’t burn and to create the “Fry'' from the air fryer. Olive oil can be replaced with any high smoke point oil that is safe for you. Canola would be a good alternative
Other vegetables can be used in place of kale if it isn’t safe for you. Spinach can be used if cooked for less time. Check out our roasted chickpeas recipe as an option. Thinly sliced potatoes would work as well but they would need soaking to remove some of the starch and then dried and tossed with oil and seasonings. The cooking time and temperature would need to be adjusted higher and longer.
Variations/Adaptations
Spicy - add a pinch cayenne and red chilli flakes when you add the seasoning salt. A bit of chilli infused oil on the raw kale before cooking. Instead of some of the olive oil in addition to or instead of the cayenne and chilli flakes.
Caesar Kale Chips- instead of seasoning salt use garlic salt. When cooked and removed from the air fryer sprinkle with dairy free parmesan like shreds. We like the Violife or Follow your Heart brands.
Equipment
What is needed for this Air Fryer Crispy Kale Chips recipe is an air fryer, depending on the size you may need to make more than one batch. A bowl is the only other piece of equipment needed.
Storage
In a container store the air fryer crispy kale chips either uncovered or loosely covered on the counter. If stored in the fridge or in a sealed container they will rehydrate a bit and lose their crispness. If they must be stored in a sealed container place a clean paper towel in with them to absorb any extra moisture in the container.
The kale chips are not suitable for freezing.
Top Tip
One head of kale feeds approximately 2 people as a bowl of chips. Packed with nutrients kale is a great replacement for potato chips.
What To Serve With
These tasty air fryer crispy kale chips are a fantastic snack on their own. Other dishes they work well with are allergen friendly burgers, and hot dogs. Kale chips are perfect for replacing potato chips in any meal or snack.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Leave a comment below if you have made this air fryer crispy kale chips recipe. We love to hear from you. Tag us on Instagram or Tiktok with your pictures and videos!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Crispy Kale Chips - GF/DF, Vegan, Top 8 Free
Equipment
- a bowl
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 heads Kale Washed
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
- ¼-½ teaspoon Seasoning salt
Instructions
- Remove the middle rib of the kale. Tear the kale into bite size pieces removing large veins.
- Put the torn kale into a large bowl. Add olive oil and massage into kale.
- Sprinkle on the seasoning salt to the oiled kale and toss to distribute salt evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer.
- Put 2 cups of kale mix in the preheated air fryer basket.
- Cook kale at 320F for 8-10 minutes, halfway through shake the kale chips to help with even cooking.
Notes
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on allergen free food, that previously touched allergens
- Always check spice packages for cross contact and allergens, as well as with manufacturers
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment and us know how much you liked it.