Air Fryer Kale Chips
Crispy, savory kale chips made with just 3 ingredients and one air fryer — a fast, foolproof way to turn a bunch of kale into a genuinely crunchy snack.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- salad spinner (or towels)
- optional trivet/rack
Ingredients
- 1 medium bunch kale curly or lacinato, stems removed, torn into 2-inch pieces
- 1 –2 teaspoons olive oil or avocado oil
- ¼ –½ teaspoon fine sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash the kale, then spin dry in a salad spinner and pat with towels until completely moisture-free.
- Remove the leaves from the stems and tear into roughly 2-inch pieces.
- In a large bowl, drizzle the oil over the kale and massage gently for about 30 seconds until each leaf has a thin, even sheen.
- Sprinkle with salt (and any optional spices) and toss to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Arrange the kale in a single layer, without overcrowding, adding a trivet on top if needed to prevent flying.
- Air fry for 5–7 minutes, shaking the basket or tossing with tongs at the 3-minute mark.
- Watch closely in the last minute — edges should be lightly golden, not browned.
- Poke the largest chip to check doneness; the center should be rigid, not bendy. Remove immediately and let rest 1–2 minutes before serving, since chips continue crisping as they cool.
Notes
Oil-free: Skip the oil entirely as long as the kale is completely dry — expect a lighter, more delicate crunch.
Cheesy (non-vegan): Add 1–2 tablespoons grated parmesan for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Cheesy (vegan): Toss with 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast after cooking.
Storage: Keep in a paper bag or a paper-towel-lined container at room temperature for 1–2 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 300°F for 60–90 seconds if they soften.
Cheesy (non-vegan): Add 1–2 tablespoons grated parmesan for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
Cheesy (vegan): Toss with 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast after cooking.
Storage: Keep in a paper bag or a paper-towel-lined container at room temperature for 1–2 days. Re-crisp in the air fryer at 300°F for 60–90 seconds if they soften.