Crispy Air Fryer Kale Chips

Air Fryer Kale Chips Recipe

How to Make Kale Chips in the Air Fryer

Holy moly, these easy air fryer kale chips have the most satisfying crispy crunch! Truthfully, I’m not nuts about raw kale—but in chip form? That I can do! A simple, nutritious, homemade snack that nourishes my body and nourishes my soul’s desire for crunchy goodness. I’ll show you how to make kale chips in the air fryer in just minutes, using only kale leaves, oil, and salt.

Of course, you’re welcome to jazz up the flavors with any seasonings that you like! But, I’ve gotta say, just the basic combination of oil and salt is irresistible when making kale chips in the air fryer like this. I’m not even a huge fan of the air fryer, but I never knew kale could be so delectably crisp and crunchy! If you haven’t tried ’em yet, I highly recommend giving these chips a whirl.

Or, if air fryer kale chips just aren’t you’re thing, try some of my other homemade baked veggie chip recipes, or my air fryer tortilla chips recipe!

Are kale chips a healthy snack?

Absolutely, kale chips can be a healthy snack! But, it all depends on what the word “healthy” means to us. Yes, kale chips offer the many nutrients contained in kale leaves, and they’re low in calories and carbs (because they’re leaves). However, we can’t survive eating only kale chips. And, feeling really attached to low-calorie and low-carb foods can be unhealthy in a different manner, causing chronic stress in our lives and bodies.

Personally, I’d encourage us to also consider potato chips and tortilla chips as healthy snacks, too! All of these foods provide our bodies with fuel and nutrients. Our bodies need calories and carbs to survive. And, we need to enjoy the foods we’re eating in order to continue eating them. So, enjoy your air fryer kale chips if you love kale chips—just be mindful of labeling certain foods “good” or “bad!”

If you’re interested in exploring your relationship with food, your eating habits, and what “healthy” means to you, check out my Food Freedom course.

How to Make Kale Chips in the Air Fryer

To make kale chips in the air fryer, start by cutting your kale leaves as needed. I bought full kale leaves, so I needed to separate the leaves from the stems, then chop them into smaller sizes. If you buy a bag of pre-chopped kale, you might not need to cut the leaves at all!

Then, add your kale leaves to a bowl, drizzle with oil and seasonings, and massage the leaves well. This step is essential! By massaging that oil into the kale leaves, you’ll help to soften the fibers and actually make the kale taste less bitter by allowing that oil to seep in.

Finally, you’re ready to air fry! I recommend adding the kale to the air fryer in a single layer, cooking in 2-3 batches total to avoid overcrowding. Also, if you have one, it can help to cover your air fryer kale chips with a metal trivet to help keep them in place while cooking. Cook for 4-6 minutes, tossing halfway, until they’re nice and crispy! Be sure to keep an eye on them while they cook as they can burn quickly.

Why are my kale chips chewy & not crispy?

This is the most common complaint with the majority of kale chips recipes. Generally, air fryer kale chips are less likely to turn out soggy because of how the air fryer is designed to circulate heat. But, if you do find your chips are chewier than you’d like, it’s possible that you used a bit too much oil initially, or that your chips need to cook for a bit longer to fully crisp up.

How do you make crispy kale in an air fryer?

The key to crispy kale chips is the right amount of oil, and a quick cook time with a toss halfway through!. You really just need a drizzle of oil—enough to massage into each leaf without them being overly wet or slippery. Then, once they’re in the air fryer, be sure to cook them long enough so the leaves have time to crisp. It helps to toss/flip them halfway, and then monitor closely at the end to make sure they don’t burn.

To see how these air fryer kale chips are made, check out my Uncrustables Bento Box Lunches video!