Baked Kale Chips Your Kids Will Eat

Baked kale chips served in a white bowl.

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5 from 1 vote

Baked Kale Chips Your Kids Will Eat

Make these delicious and easy kale chips with just four ingredients. They may just replace your potato chip cravings!

Prep Time5

Cook Time7

Total Time12

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade kale chips, Kale Chips

Servings: servings

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Melissa Norris

Cost: Varies

Equipment

Baking Sheet
Mixing Bowl
paper towels
Tongs

Ingredients

2 cups kale leaves rinsed and torn
2 Tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Salt to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Tear rinsed kale leaves into bite sized pieces. I tried to keep my uniform for even cooking.
Put kale in a medium glass bowl and add olive oil, onion powder, and sea salt. Toss with your hands until the leaves are all coated.
Put leaves on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in a 350°F oven for 4 minutes.
Using oven tongs, turn leaves over or just stir them around with a spatula. Bake for another 3 to 4 minutes. If the edges start to turn brown, yank those babies out. Cook until crispy (they should still be green).
Cool and try to keep your kids from inhaling them.

Notes

Recipe Tips:

Dry kale is the key to crispy baked kale chips. Any moisture causes steaming instead of baking.
Avoid overcrowding the pan, or the chips will soften instead of crisp.
Watch closely during the last minute. Kale goes from perfect to burnt quickly.

Recipe Variations:

My family is quite satisfied with the simplicity of the basic recipe, but baked kale chips have endless flavor options.

Flavor Name	Suggested Ingredient Combinations	Description
Garlic and Parmesan	Olive oil, garlic powder, finely grated Parmesan, sea salt	Savory and cheesy with a rich garlic flavor that makes kale taste indulgent without being heavy.
Pizza	Olive oil, tomato powder or very fine tomato paste dust, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan, sea salt	Tastes like classic pizza seasoning with herby, slightly tangy notes that kids instantly recognize.
Nacho	Olive oil, nutritional yeast, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, sea salt	A cheesy, smoky flavor inspired by nacho seasoning without artificial ingredients.
Chili and Lime	Olive oil, chili powder, lime zest, sea salt	Bright and zesty with a mild heat that balances the natural bitterness of kale.
BBQ	Olive oil, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, sea salt	Sweet, smoky, and savory with that familiar barbecue flavor everyone loves.
Salt and Vinegar	Olive oil, sea salt, apple cider vinegar powder or light vinegar mist after baking	Sharp and tangy with a satisfying salty bite, just like classic chips.
Ranch	Olive oil, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt	Cool and herby with that creamy ranch flavor kids enjoy, even without dairy.

Tip: Add any cheese-based ingredients after baking or during the final minute to prevent burning, and always toss seasonings evenly so every chip is packed with flavor.

Nutrition