Air Fryer Kale Chips cook up crispy and perfect in under 10 minutes, including the time needed to make delicious from-scratch ranch seasoning (or whatever seasoning you choose!).
Table of Contents
- What is an air fryer?
- How to Make Air Fryer Kale Chips
- Air Fryer Kale Chips -- Variations
- Can I store these for later?
- Air Fryer Kale Chips Recipe
Y'all, I made kale chips in my air fryer. No big deal.
Actually, for me, this is a huge deal. I never make my own kale chips anymore, because for some reason spreading pieces of kale in a single layer on baking sheets feels too inefficient to me.
But I do love to eat kale chips by the handful, and even two baking sheets of chips just feels like so few, considering how long they need to bake. I know, I'm a child.
I've been crazy about my air fryer ever since it landed on our doorstep. These air fryer kale chips are my latest air frying adventure, but be sure to also try my Crispy Air Fried Tofu and Air Fryer Avocado Fries. You won't be sorry!
What is an air fryer?
I get this question a LOT. Think of an air fryer as a super fast convection oven that makes food crispy and delicious faster than you could fry or bake it.
I KNOW.
And it cooks even faster than a regular convection oven. A typical convection oven cuts baking time by 25 percent. My air fryer cuts baking time in half, and the results are crispier than you'd get from a proper oven.
Read all about the joys of air frying, and get tons of vegan air fryer recipes, HERE.
How to Make Air Fryer Kale Chips
But maybe you're not here because you're curious about air fryers. Maybe you have one already and just want to make some kale chips already.
Here's what you need to know.
When you're making air fryer kale chips, you don't have to worry about creating a single layer. And making these kale chips won't heat up the house, like baking them in the oven does.
They also only cook for four or five minutes. That means, from start to finish, you're looking at about 10 minutes total standing between you and a big ol' pile of ranch kale chips. That includes the time to make the ranch seasoning from scratch.
I KNOW.
To make these, start by stemming your kale. This is not something you can skip.
You can save the stems, and toss them into soups or stews, but don't leave them on the leaves when you're prepping your kale for this recipe.
The woody kale stems take a LOT longer to cook than the leaves, so if you don't stem, you'll end up with chewy stems in the middles of your crispy chips.
Or, if you cook longer so the stems get crispy, you'll end up with burnt leaves. Don't do it. I ruined a good batch of kale chips this way. Lesson learned!
Once you stem the kale, just toss it with olive oil and a few dried herbs and spices. Air fry for four to five minutes, shaking a couple of times, and devour them!
Air Fryer Kale Chips -- Variations
If ranch seasoning isn't your thing, don't fret! You can spice these up however you want. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt for plain, salted kale chips
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast and 1/2 teaspoon of salt for cheesy chips
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon za'atar seasoning
I make the nutritional yeast variation often. They're vaguely cheesy and incredibly satisfying.
Can I store these for later?
Eat these kale chips immediately, if possible. The ones you buy at the store come bagged with a desiccant, which keeps them from absorbing moisture.
Homemade air fryer kale chips do not come with a dessicant, and they will get soft if you leave them out or even in the fridge.
The good news is that the recipe below makes an amount that 1-2 people can easily eat in one sitting.
If you do have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge and know that they will be soft when you eat them. They'll still taste good, but they won't be remotely chip-like in texture.
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups loosely packed kale - stemmed (see note)
- 2 teaspoons Vegan Ranch Seasoning - (see note)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes - (see note)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Toss the oil, kale pieces, Ranch Seasoning, and nutritional yeast together in a medium-sized bowl, then dump the coated kale into the basket of your air fryer.
- Cook on 370F for 4-5 minutes (do not preheat), shaking after 2 minutes. Eat immediately.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- About the ranch seasoning and nutritional yeast: These are just flavoring suggestions. Feel free to check out the flavor variation ideas in the post above or use whatever seasonings strike your fancy!
- About the kale stems: This recipe says to stem your kale, and that is not something you can skip. You can save the stems, and toss them into soups or stews, but don’t leave them on the leaves when you’re prepping your kale for this recipe. The woody kale stems take a LOT longer to fry than the leaves, so if you don’t stem, you’ll end up with chewy stems in the middles of your crispy kale chips. Or, if you cook longer so the stems get crispy, you’ll end up with burnt leaves. Don’t do it. I ruined a good batch of kale chips this way. Lesson learned!
Corinna
This was the fourth thing I made in my Air Fryer and possibly the most successful recipe to date! I absolutely love it, they turned out perfect. Thanks for this!
Becky Striepe
You are so welcome, Corinna! Thank you for coming back to rate and comment -- that means a lot to me!
Janet
Shhh I have to admit hubby wanted an air fryer and I did not because of counter space. Friend gave me one and I LOVE it (except for the space it takes on the counter)
Jonathan
Nice chips
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Norma Jean
I don't have kale but I have lots of collards. Has anyone tried collards?
Becky Striepe
I haven't, but there is a recipe for collard chips in Kathy Hester's air fryer cookbook! You may just need to adjust the cooking time, so check in often, and add a minute or two at the end, if needed.
Cadry
I'm glad I never shelled out the cash for a dehydrator! These air fryer kale chips were perfect and without waiting hours like with a dehydrator.
Mommommom
So salty :/
Becky Striepe
You can adjust the salt, if you prefer less! 😉
Michelle
Are the yeast flakes mandatory?
Becky Striepe
You can leave them out, but it will be more like a dilly chip than a ranch one.
Nicolette
Do you know if it's required to completely dry after washing the kale? In making kale chips in the past this is always the most time-consuming part. Either way I'm looking forward to making these!
Becky Striepe
I definitely would. Otherwise the moisture will steam the leaves, and they’ll be soft instead of crispy.
Jessica
Hi there, is anyone else having trouble with smaller leaves flying up into the mechanism (and burning until they smoke) or flying out of the pan when you take it out mid-way to shake them up? I made great chips today and am thrilled with how fast the kale leaves get crispy, but I don't think I can do it the same way I did today, since I lost ~20% to the aforementioned problems.
Becky Striepe
Oh wow. I definitely have a few leaves go flying in the GoWISE, but not 20%! What brand of air fryer do you have?
Jessica
Thanks Becky. I have the Philips Viva. It made me really nervous because the few leaves that flew up and got stuck in the heating mechanism were smoking.
Becky Striepe
You know, I have heard that stuff flies more in the Philips. When you remove the basket to shake, can you quickly (but carefully) wipe away any leaves from the inside with a sponge? Maybe some extra shakes, if you smell something starting to burn? Just don't burn yourself!
Jessica
I'm just glad to hear that you've heard of this happening with a Philips, I was worried I was missing a piece or had a defective machine. I will try what you suggested. I'll see if there is some sort of cover/mesh I could cover the leaves, and other light items, with. Love your site, thanks!
Becky Striepe
Good luck, Jessica! If you find a good solution, I'd love if you let me know. I'm sure other folks have the same question. And thank you so much!
Chantelle
Massage the kale with the oil and that helps weight it down.
Kerri
Just read a suggestion to put a steamer rack over them
Becky Striepe
What a great idea!
Denise DeSerio
The method says "toss the cashew ranch and kale pieces together" but I see no mention of cashews in the ingredients, nor in the ingredients for the vegan ranch spice...am I missing something?
Becky Striepe
Oops! I'll fix that wording. It's a holdover from recipe testing when I tried a different method. Thank you for pointing it out!
Denise DeSerio
Oh, great, thanks! I'll be making these tonight! 🙂
Becky Striepe
Oh man, jealous. We are out of kale, so no chips for me until we shop again. Enjoy them!
Denise DeSerio
They were SO delicious!!! I've never had success making them in the regular oven, so very glad I got an air fryer and very glad to stumble across this recipe. Thanks again!
Becky Striepe
You are so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them. Congrats on the air fryer. It's definitely my most used kitchen appliance right now.
Becky Striepe
OK, all fixed up. Thank you again for asking about that!
swathi
I make kale chips never tried with ranch need to try it myself, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Becky Striepe
Enjoy, Swathi!
Nico @ yumsome
Wow, these look amazing! I don't have an air fryer, so it's the good old oven for me. Even so...
**rubs tummy in anticipation**
Becky Striepe
Enjoy them, Nico!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O I think it's snacktime! The ranch sounds delish!
Becky Striepe
Enjoy them, Rebecca!
POPPY
Becky these look amazing! And Ranch!!! I've wanted an air fryer forever, this makes me want one even more!
Becky Striepe
Aw thank you, Poppy!
Kate @ Veggie Desserts
I need to get an air fryer! These ranch kale chips sound incredible.
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Kate! You'll love it. You could do these in the oven like regular kale chips, if you can't wait, though!
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite
You're really making it hard to stay away from this air fryer!! Looks so good!!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Sophia!
Dianne
You've convinced me – I'm asking Santa for an air fryer!
Becky Striepe
Woo woo!
Aimee | Wallflower Kitchen
I've always wanted an airfryer but I've been told that if I get one more kitchen gadget, I'm evicted from the kitchen! Kale chips are the best and I love the sound of this flavour. YUM.
Becky Striepe
I mayyybe purchased this without talking to Dave, because he would have asked me where it was going to go, and I had no idea. I am also banned from further kitchen gadgets without a family meeting first!