Baked Kale Chips Recipe
How To Make Kale Chips: Bold and zesty Baked Kale Chips Recipe with a rich nutty essence. This Baked Kale Chips Recipe will make you want to kick the potato chips to the curb!
Why We Love This Kale Chips Recipe
In a season of bountiful desserts and rich heavy dishes, it’s nice to have a few to-go snacks that will keep your diet in check.
Remember when kale chips were all over the internet a couple of years ago?
It seemed like everyone was making them. Even people that generally don’t cook.
Well, I wasn’t making them… Because at that time, I didn’t like them.
Best Baked Kale Chips
I preferred a nice shaved kale salad or a green smoothie. But to me, kale chips recipes seemed bland and boring.
Then one day I saw them at a farmer’s market. The chips sitting out for samples were really crisp, and coated in something spicy.
At first taste… bells, whistles, fireworks.
This was a recipe I could see myself making on a regular basis. These were baked kale chips I would choose over potato chips!
So I went home and baked kale chips four thousand six hundred and seventy-two times, approximately, until I figured out the perfect coating.
The secret is mixing nut butter with the spices to create a rich coating that sits on top of the kale chips as they dry.
Then the second secret is to massage the kale chips, tenderly.
A glass of wine, a little Barry White… just kidding.
The massaging ensures the kale leaves are evenly coated.
Then lay them out flat and bake.
Zippy kale perfection that rivals any chip, in my opinion!
Ingredients You Need
- Bunch of Kale – Fresh fluffy bunches. You can use any variety of kale.
- Almond butter – Or your favorite natural nut butter.
- Olive oil – To make the chips crisp. (Some people like to use coconut oil)
- Ground cumin – For smooth smoky flavor.
- Chili powder – Or substitute curry powder, we make them both ways!
- Garlic powder – For zesty kick!
- Cayenne pepper – For a little extra heat. (Or paprika for low spice!)
- Salt – Because you always need a little salt. (Table salt or sea salt)
How To Make Kale Chips
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Trim the kale. Wash the kale and dry it thoroughly with paper towels or a salad spinner. Pull the leaves off the center ribs/stems in large pieces, and pile them on a baking sheet.
- Mix the spice coating. In a small bowl mix the nut butter, oil, spices, and salt. Pour/sprinkle over the kale. Use your hands to massage the kale leaves until each one is evenly coated with the spice mixture.
- Bake. Lay the kale leaves out flat on large baking sheets in a single layer. Bake for 10-11 minutes until crisp, but still green. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving.
Get The Full (Printable) Kale Chips Recipe Below! Enjoy!
Kale Chips In The Oven
I was thinking these baked curly veggie chips would make a great addition to your Halloween table this year.
It’s nice to serve something healthy along with the bushel of candy you’re kids (meaning YOU) will be eating. *wink*
Plus, they are green and crinkly, so they’ll fit right into your spooky menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Different Spices In This Kale Chips Recipe?
Absolutely. This is our favorite combination. Yet feel free to make the most of your spice rack and mix things up!
Can I Skip The Nut Butter?
Yes. However, the nut butter provides a ton of flavor and texture. I wouldn’t skip it, unless there is a nut allergy involved.
Are Kale Chips Healthy?
Yes! This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto, and vegan!
What If My Kale Chips Don’t Bake Evenly?
If you have cool spots in your oven, you can take the crispy chips off the baking sheet and continue baking the remaining chips a little longer.
How Long Do Kale Chips Last?
In my house… 2 days. However, if they are very crispy, you can store them in an airtight container in the pantry at room temperature for up to two weeks.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
- Roasted Indian Chickpeas
- Baked Sweet Potato Chips
- Grilled Artichokes
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Sweet Potato Hash Browns
- Paleo Nut Bars
- Best Homemade Pickles
- Healthy Baked Carrot Chips
- How to Make Kale
- Cheesy Roasted Chickpeas with Nutritional Yeast by Grateful Grazer
Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, cholesterol, carbohydrates, protein, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.
Baked Kale Chips Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bunches kale
- 2 tablespoons almond butter heaping (or any savory nut butter)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or substitute curry powder, we make them both ways
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wash the kale and dry thoroughly with paper towels. Pull the leaves off the center ribs in large pieces, and pile on a baking sheet. Discard the ribs.
- In a small bowl mix the nut butter, oil, spices, and salt. Pour over the kale. Use your hands to massage the kale leaves until each one is evenly coated with the spice mixture. You don’t want any of the leaves to be drenched in the mixture, so take your time doing this. The more evenly the kale leaves are coated, the better they will bake.
- Lay the kale leaves out flat on 3-4 full sized baking sheets (work in batches if necessary.) Do not overlap. Bake for 10-11 minutes until crisp, but still green. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before moving. If some kale chips are still a little flimsy or damp, remove the crisp chips and place the damp chips back in the oven for a few more minutes. Store in an air-tight container.
One of my favorite ways to eat kale! It seems like you’re getting away with something because it’s so crispy and flavorful, but they’re not bad for you! Yum!
These were so good! My kids even loved them!
Absolutely brilliant! I never thought to add almond butter and it was so delicious!
Delicious & Easy!!!! This is a great alternative to potatoe chips. Don’t turn up your nose yet, try it!!
These were fantastic! Thank you for the great recipe!
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What can we substitute for the cumin and curry, I don’t have either
Hi Courtney,
Honestly, you can add any spice combination you like. Garlic and thyme is a good combination.
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Amazing!!!! Thank you!!! I have always found kale chips disappointing, too. However, these have so much flavor & are very satisfying…a great go to nutritious snack!!!!
Tasty! I baked them for 8min, though. In my oven the first batch was a little burnt with 10min. I might add a little more sauce next time so each chip gets a little more coating. Some got a little more than others and the ones with more were much tastier.
These are unbelievably good. Crispy & flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth wonderful.
Delicious!! I followed the recipe as written using peanut butter instead of almond butter. I can’t stop eating them.
I subbed peanut butter and used red pepper, crushed garlic, parmesan, and lemon juice- was still delicious! The nut butter really helps coat the chips. Thank you for the recipe!
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Hi from Colorado, Sommer. We’re getting early snow and cold here. Ski areas are opening early. Last night, before the big chill, I harvested a sink full of three varieties of kale. I do like spicy and sharing a warm glow, so I am looking forward to trying your recipes today, with both chili power and also with curry power. I have some lovely turmeric from India and that might also be nice with cumin. My only hesitation, which might just be a matter of personal taste (wink) is that I think Marvin Gaye sounds more to my liking than Barry White. Looking forward to filling the kitchen with spiciness and great music. I can hardly wait to heat things up! “Let’s get it on!”
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Hi Sommer,
This is a fantastic Kale Chips recipe. I would love to feature this in our website, Green Thickies in the post 10 Most Healthy Kale Chips Recipes.
I won’t be sharing the entire recipe, but only one image from here and a small quote. And all credits will be given to you and links back to this page.
Hope that’s okay with you.
Thanks a lot
Hi Katherine,
Yes, you have my permission to share a recipe photo and link. Thanks for asking!
Best spicy kale chips ever. I substituted crushed red pepper for the cayenne pepper, I was out, and it was still amazing!.
These were fantastic! Thank you for the great recipe!