If you’re craving a quick, nutritious snack, these air fryer kale chips are effortless to make and require just 5 simple ingredients. Using basic pantry seasonings, like nutritional yeast and garlic powder, they are perfect for a light, crispy treat.
You seriously won’t believe how easy these air fryer kale chips are to prepare, but they are so satisfying! I always make them for a healthy twist on potato chips. For another flavor-packed snack, check out my Truffle Oil French Fries.
Why I Love This Recipe
Forget having to start up your oven when you can make kale chips in the air fryer! It requires much less energy than a traditional oven, and your chips are ready in nearly half the time.
The combination of avocado oil, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder gives the kale a rich, cheesy, and savory flavor. Once air-fried, the chips turn out crispy and delicious, with an incredible garlic aroma that fills your entire kitchen.
I always have a batch of these kale chips on hand for easy, convenient snacks on busy days throughout the week. They’re the perfect alternative to traditional potato and corn chips!
Ingredient Notes
There are so few ingredients needed for making these kale chips in the air fryer. Here’s a full ingredient breakdown:
- Kale: You can’t have air fryer kale chips without some kale! It adds a crunchy texture and is packed with nutrients. I recommend using organic or farm-fresh kale since it is not heavily sprayed.
- Avocado Oil: Helps crisp up the kale and adds a subtle richness.
- Nutritional Yeast: Gives the kale chips a cheesy, nutty, and savory flavor without the need for cheese. The best place to find nutritional yeast is at bulk food stores.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a robust, savory, and aromatic flavor. Make sure it’s fresh!
- Salt: I recommend using sea salt for the most balanced flavor profile.
Substitutions
- Avocado Oil: If you don’t have avocado oil, extra-virgin olive oil provides a comparable richness and helps achieve a crispy texture.
- Nutritional Yeast: Grated vegan Parmesan offers a similar cheesy flavor, though it will melt and may make more of a mess in the air fryer basket.
- Garlic Powder: If you don’t have garlic powder on hand, replace it with an equivalent amount of onion powder for a similar savory taste with a little more zest.
How to Make
There aren’t many steps involved in making these kale chips in the air fryer, but ensure you follow my tips and tricks for the best results.
Preparation
Wash and dry the kale leaves thoroughly. Remove the kale leaves from the stem by holding the bottom of the stem and running your fingers upwards, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Make sure the kale is completely dry before moving on for the crispiest results.
Cooking
Step 1
Place the chopped kale in a mixing bowl. Drizzle the leaves with avocado oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt, tossing until each leaf is coated. Massage the oil and seasonings into the kale to tenderize the leaves, improve the flavor, and enhance nutrient absorption.
Step 2
Transfer the kale leaves to the air fryer basket. Air fry them at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the kale chips in batches to ensure the kale crisps up properly.
Expert Tip
Achieving perfectly crispy air fryer kale chips requires the kale leaves to be completely dry before adding the oil and seasonings. Any excess moisture can cause the kale to steam rather than crisp up, resulting in soggy chips.
Use a lower temperature in your air fryer to emulate a dehydrator, allowing the kale to dry out and crisp evenly without burning. Remember to flip the leaves or shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crispiness.
Variations
- Spicy Kale Chips: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix for a spicy kick.
- Herb Kale Chips: Add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist on your air fryer kale chips.
- Cheesy Kale Chips: Increase the nutritional yeast or add vegan Parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy flavor.
Cooking Tips
- Massage the Kale: Massaging helps break down kale’s tough, fibrous structure and infuse the oil and seasonings evenly for better flavor. Be patient with this process, working it with your hands for at least 2-3 minutes.
- Single-Layer Cooking: Keep the kale leaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket to prevent them from overlapping and promote even cooking.
- Shake the Basket: Shake the basket halfway or flip the leaves to ensure your air fryer kale chips will be evenly browned and crispy.
- Cool Before Storing: Let your kale chips cool before storing them so they maintain their crispiness and last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure the kale leaves are completely dry before adding oil and seasonings. Excess moisture on the leaves can cause them to steam instead of crisp up, leading to sogginess.
Keep a close eye on the kale chips while they cook and shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This ensures even crispiness and prevents any pieces from burning.
You can use less oil, but be aware that the chips might not turn out as crispy. Make sure to coat the kale leaves evenly and thoroughly massage them to achieve the best results without oil.
If your air fryer is small, cook the kale chips in batches. This helps avoid overcrowding and ensures that each piece cooks evenly and crisps up properly.
Storing
To preserve the best taste and texture, store your air fryer kale chips in an airtight bag or container. Keep them in a cool, dry cupboard for up to one week to help them stay crispy and maintain their freshness.
More Vegan Snacks & Sides
Kale Chips in Air Fryer
DESCRIPTION
INGREDIENTS
- 1 bunch kale I used the curly kale
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon salt
METHOD
- Wash and dry kale leaves. To remove the kale leaves from the stem, tightly hold the bottom of the stem and run your fingers upwards along the stem removing the leave. Then chop kale leaves.
- Next place the kale to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with avocado oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt. Toss till each leaf leaf is coated with oil and seasoning.Note: I like to use a clean hand to toss and gently massage the oil and seasonings with the kale.
- Transfer the kale to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 325°F for about 5 minutes with a quick shake at midpoint.Note: You may need to cook in batches based on the size of your air fryer and the quantity of kale.
- Serve them with dips, sandwiches, or as is. Enjoy!
NOTES
- Massage the Kale: Massaging helps break down kale’s tough, fibrous structure and infuse the oil and seasonings evenly for better flavor. Be patient with this process, working it with your hands for at least 2-3 minutes.
- Single-Layer Cooking: Keep the kale leaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket to prevent them from overlapping and promote even cooking.
- Shake the Basket: Shake the basket halfway or flip the leaves to ensure your air fryer kale chips will be evenly browned and crispy.
- Cool Before Storing: Let your kale chips cool before storing them so they maintain their crispiness and last longer.
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