When you crave the crunch of potato chips, give air fryer kale chips a try! Making kale chips in the air fryer preserves the vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy snack option. With so many ways to season them, this recipe comes together even faster than baked kale chips… with no oven needed!
Ingredient Notes
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for making kale chips in the air fryer, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Curly Kale – The curly variety gets crispier, but lacinato kale also works.Olive Oil – You could also use avocado oil, or any neutral cooking oil you prefer.Sea Salt – Adds an instant flavor boost, but you can add other seasonings and spices as well. See more ideas below!
How To Make Kale Chips In The Air Fryer
This section shows how to make air fryer kale chips, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
10 Seasoning Variations
You can add almost any kind of spices you prefer to this air fryer kale chips recipe. Keep in mind that you’ll want to add your preferred spices in addition to the 1 tbsp oil and ½ tsp salt in the basic recipe. Here are 10 different kale chip variations to try: For easier kale drying, use a salad spinner to make the process faster.
Storage Instructions
Store: To keep chips crispy, it is important to let them cool completely before storing. The best way to store kale chips is in an airtight container. I like to put mine in a Mason jar or a Tupperware container. You can also put them in a zip lock bag if you prefer. Store at room temperature.Meal prep: Kale chips in the air fryer are a great make-ahead snack. Simply make them and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Freeze: I wouldn’t recommend storing leftovers in the freezer. The moisture from freezing will turn the chips soggy.
More Healthy Chip Recipes
Skip the snack aisle at the store and try more of my favorite healthy chip recipes: Air frying makes these kale chips crispy and delicious in less time. Follow these tips for the best kale chips every time.
Wet ingredients take more time. If using a wet coating, they will take an extra 2-5 minutes in the air fryer, depending on how well coated they are. Additionally, if you wash your kale well and don’t dry it, it will take longer (an extra 2 minutes or so) to crisp up in the air fryer. Cook in batches. Leaves that are bunched up or folded over won’t crisp evenly. Make sure the kale leaves are spread out. Cook in batches if you need to. Use hands to mix. The best way to make sure each kale chip is evenly coated/seasoned is to use your hands when mixing. The seasoning was not as even when I used a spatula to mix. Add seasoning before cooking. All seasoning mixes are best when they go on before air frying. I tried adding dry mixes afterwards but they wouldn’t stick. Additionally, when adding afterwards, the kale chips would break up into really small pieces from the mixing. Chips should be crispy. If there’s still any chew left to the kale, return to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes. The finished kale chips should be crisp all the way through.
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