There was a time when I thought kale chips were just another food trend I could skip, until I tried making them myself. One batch in the air fryer, and I completely changed my mind. It's the kind of snack that feels both light and satisfying, with a crisp that rivals any store-bought chip. What I love most is how quick and easy they are to prepare, just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of cook time.
I usually make these when I'm craving something salty but still want to feel good afterward. They're great for movie nights, lunchbox snacks, or just something to munch on while dinner's in the oven. The first time I made them, I kept it super simple, just extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper, and honestly, that's still how I prefer them. The white pepper gives a subtle heat that's different from black pepper, and it pairs so well with the earthy flavor of the kale.
If you've ever had trouble getting them crispy enough, the air fryer is the game-changer. Unlike baking, which can take longer and sometimes leave the chips uneven, the air fryer crisps them up in just a few minutes. And once they cool slightly, they get even crunchier. I've made these for friends who swore they didn't like kale… and then asked for the recipe.
There are so many reasons this recipe has become one of my favorites. First, it's fast. If I've got a bunch of kale and ten minutes, I can have a fresh batch ready before a show even starts. Second, it doesn't need any fancy ingredients, just a little extra virgin olive oil, seasoning, and kale. And once you master the basic version, you can start playing around with different flavors. Sometimes I'll add a bit of smoked paprika or garlic powder for variety, but I always come back to this original version for its clean, simple flavor.
What makes this air fryer method so reliable is how evenly it cooks the kale. The hot air circulates perfectly, giving every chip a crisp edge without drying it out too much. And because kale is so light, it cooks quickly, so you don't need to stand around waiting. That said, I always keep an eye on the basket because it goes from perfectly crisp to overdone in seconds.
I also love that these chips store well, if they last long enough to make it to a container! Just let them cool completely and pop them into an airtight jar. They stay crunchy for a day or two, which is perfect for make-ahead snacks. It's a simple recipe, but one that feels really rewarding. Every time I open the air fryer and see those curled, crispy edges, I know it's going to be a good snack.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Only Four Ingredients: Just kale, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and white pepper; nothing more, nothing hidden.
- So Fast and Easy: They cook in just 3-5 minutes, which means instant snack satisfaction.
- Crispy Without Baking: The air fryer makes them super crispy without heating up your whole kitchen.
- Easy to Customize: Add spices like garlic powder, paprika, or nutritional yeast for fun flavor twists.
- Surprisingly Addictive: I always think I'll save some, but the whole batch usually disappears within minutes.
🧾Kale Chips Ingredients
Here's what you need to make these Kale Chips:
- Kale: I always use a full bunch for this; it shrinks a lot when it cooks, so you'll want more than you think. Make sure to remove the thick stems and tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A little goes a long way here. It helps the leaves crisp up beautifully in the air fryer while adding a touch of richness.
- Salt: I use just enough to bring out the natural flavor of the kale. It gives that satisfying savory bite.
- White Pepper Powder: I love using white pepper in this recipe because it has a softer, more subtle heat than black pepper. It blends in without overpowering the kale.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Kale Chips
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Trim the thick stems from the kale leaves and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss the kale with extra virgin olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle salt and white pepper on the kale, then toss to mix evenly.
2. Arrange the seasoned kale in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry the kale at 190°C (375°F) for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
3. Once the kale chips are crispy, take them out of the air fryer and let them cool a bit. They'll get even crispier as they cool.
4. Serve right away or keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days to stay crispy.
🍽 What to Serve with Kale Chips
Kale chips are such a versatile snack and can go with lots of different dishes!
I love serving them with dips like hummus, guacamole, or muhammara. They're also great as a crunchy topping for salads, like stuffed tomato or potato salad, and soups, like butternut squash or broccoli cheddar.
They make a fantastic side with a chicken sandwich, bruschetta, or pinchos. I even enjoy them alongside strawberry mango smoothie, green juice, or lemonade.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Use Curly Kale for Best Texture: I've found that curly kale gives the most satisfying crunch compared to flat-leaf varieties like lacinato.
Cut into Even Pieces: I try to keep the kale pieces about the same size so they cook evenly; smaller ones can burn faster.
Don't Preheat Too Long: I preheat the air fryer for just a minute or two; too hot and the kale can scorch right away.
Shake Halfway Through: I like to gently shake the basket halfway to help everything crisp evenly without flipping each piece.
Refresh with a Quick Blast: If they soften after storage, I pop them back in the air fryer for 1 minute; they come right back to life.
🍛More Air Fryer Recipes to Try!
If you love using an air fryer when you are cooking, then check out the following recipes for inspiration:
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- No Knead Pizza in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Potato Wedges
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Apple Crisp in Air Fryer
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 200 g Kale - 1 bunch
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon White Pepper Powder
Instructions
- Wash the kale thoroughly under cold water and dry it completely using a salad spinner or by patting it dry with paper towels.
- Trim the kale leaves from the thick stems and chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, toss the kale pieces with extra virgin olive oil until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the salt and white pepper powder over the kale and toss again to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Place the seasoned kale in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry in a preheated air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove the chips once crispy and let them cool slightly; they'll continue to crisp up as they cool.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
These air fryer kale chips are a game-changer! So crispy and flavorful.