Wet kale steams into slime, so spin it dry and press it in a towel until no water clings to the ruffles. Use barely enough oil to make the leaves glisten, and roast low, because a hot oven browns the tips to bitter before the centers dry out.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep10 min
Cook18 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineAmerican
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains dairy
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for4servings
Curly kale
One large bunch, stems stripped; curly leaves crisp better than flat lacinato.
Added at the very end so it sits on the surface where you taste it.
to taste
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer●●●●●Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
Dry completelyTear the leaves off the stems, wash, and spin dry, then press in a towel until bone-dry. Any water left on the leaves turns to steam and you lose the crunch.
Massage the oilAdd the oil to the leaves and massage it in with your hands so every ruffle gets a thin, even film.
Roast low and spreadSpread in a single layer across two sheets and roast at 300F for 15 to 18 minutes, rotating once, until crisp but still green. Browned means bitter.
Finish hotDust the just-out-of-the-oven chips with cheddar, paprika, and flaky salt. Serve within an hour; they soften as they sit.
Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.
Can you freeze Kale Chips? — Not ideal
You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.
Can you make Kale Chips ahead of time? — Best fresh
Best made fresh and served soon — it loses its edge standing around. You can prep the parts ahead, but finish and serve it close to the table.
Is Kale Chips gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is Kale Chips vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan
It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
Community Notes
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