Make Kale Chips

2018-08-21

how

Hello, cooking lovers. Have you ever tasted kale chips? It's an excellent snack that is both healthy and delicious! Here, we will guide you through the simple steps of making kale chips at home. Let's get started!

Kale is the main ingredient for making kale chips. It is a leafy green vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. While we encourage you to experiment with different herbs and spices, we recommend starting with a classic recipe.

Now that you have the necessary ingredients, let's dive into the step-by-step process of making kale chips. You will need a medium-sized bowl, a large baking sheet, and a preheated oven.

How to Make Kale Chips

Follow these easy steps to make delicious and nutritious kale chips at home:

Preheat oven.
Rinse and dry kale.
Tear kale into bite-sized pieces.
Toss with oil, salt, and pepper.
Spread in single layer on baking sheet.
Bake until crispy.
Let cool and enjoy!
Store leftovers in airtight container.

There you have it! With these simple steps, you can make your own kale chips. Experiment with different seasonings and flavors to find your favorite combination.

Preheat Oven

Before you start making kale chips, preheating your oven is essential. This ensures that the oven is at the right temperature when you put the kale in, which helps the chips cook evenly and become crispy.

Set the oven temperature: The ideal temperature for making kale chips is between 300°F (150°C) and 350°F (175°C). This temperature allows the kale to dehydrate and crisp up without burning.

Use the convection setting (if available): If your oven has a convection setting, use it. Convection ovens circulate hot air more efficiently, which helps the kale chips cook more evenly.

Preheat for at least 10 minutes: Make sure to preheat your oven for at least 10 minutes before putting the kale in. This gives the oven enough time to reach the desired temperature.

Watch the kale chips closely: Once the oven is preheated, keep an eye on the kale chips as they bake. The cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the kale and the temperature of the oven. The chips are done when they are crispy and slightly browned.

By following these tips, you'll be able to preheat your oven properly and make perfect kale chips every time.

Rinse and Dry Kale

Once you have selected your kale, it's important to rinse and dry it properly before making kale chips. This ensures that the chips are clean and crispy.

Rinse the kale thoroughly: Use cold water to rinse the kale leaves thoroughly. This removes any dirt, debris, or pesticides that may be on the leaves.

Shake off excess water: After rinsing, shake the kale leaves vigorously to remove excess water. You can also use a salad spinner to dry the leaves quickly and easily.

Pat the kale leaves dry: If there is still some moisture on the kale leaves, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to pat them dry. This helps to prevent the kale chips from steaming in the oven.

Remove tough stems: Before tearing the kale leaves, remove the tough stems. This makes the chips more tender and easier to eat.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your kale chips are clean, dry, and ready to be seasoned and baked.

Tear Kale into Bite-Sized Pieces

Once you have rinsed and dried the kale leaves, it's time to tear them into bite-sized pieces. This helps the kale chips cook evenly and become crispy.

Here are some tips for tearing kale into bite-sized pieces:

Use your hands: The best way to tear kale is with your hands. This gives you more control over the size and shape of the pieces.

Aim for 1-2 inch pieces: The ideal size for kale chips is about 1-2 inches. This allows them to cook evenly and become crispy without being too hard or chewy.

Remove the tough stems: Before tearing the kale leaves, remove the tough stems. This makes the chips more tender and easier to eat.

Tear the leaves in different directions: To create a variety of shapes and textures, tear the kale leaves in different directions. This will help the chips cook more evenly.

Once you have torn the kale into bite-sized pieces, you can proceed to the next step: tossing them with oil, salt, and pepper.

By following these tips, you'll be able to tear kale into bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and become crispy kale chips.

Toss with Oil, Salt, and Pepper

Once you have torn the kale into bite-sized pieces, it's time to toss them with oil, salt, and pepper. This helps to season the chips and make them crispy.

Choose a healthy oil: When choosing an oil to toss the kale chips in, opt for a healthy oil that can withstand high temperatures. Some good options include olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.

Use just enough oil to coat the kale: You don't need a lot of oil to make kale chips. Just enough to coat the kale leaves lightly. This will help the chips to crisp up without becoming greasy.

Season with salt and pepper: After tossing the kale with oil, season it with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or chili powder, if you like.

Mix everything together thoroughly: Once you have added all of the seasonings, mix everything together thoroughly. This ensures that each piece of kale is evenly coated.

After tossing the kale with oil, salt, and pepper, it's ready to be spread out on a baking sheet and baked in the oven.

Spread in Single Layer on Baking Sheet

Once you have tossed the kale with oil, salt, and pepper, it's time to spread it out on a baking sheet. This ensures that the kale chips cook evenly and become crispy.

Use a large baking sheet: Choose a baking sheet that is large enough to accommodate all of the kale chips in a single layer. This will help the chips to cook evenly and prevent them from steaming.

Spread the kale in a single layer: Arrange the kale chips on the baking sheet in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the baking sheet, or the chips will not cook evenly.

Leave some space between the chips: Leave a little bit of space between each kale chip so that the air can circulate and the chips can crisp up.

Use two baking sheets if necessary: If you have a large amount of kale, you may need to use two baking sheets. Just make sure to spread the kale out evenly on both sheets.

After spreading the kale chips on the baking sheet, it's time to bake them in the oven until they are crispy.

Bake Until Crispy

Once you have spread the kale chips on the baking sheet, it's time to bake them in the oven until they are crispy.

Preheat the oven: Before baking the kale chips, make sure to preheat your oven to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for making kale chips is between 300°F (150°C) and 350°F (175°C).

Bake for 10-15 minutes: Place the baking sheet with the kale chips in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the chips are crispy. The baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the kale chips and the temperature of your oven.

Keep an eye on the kale chips: As the kale chips are baking, keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn. The chips should be crispy, but not burnt.

Flip the kale chips halfway through baking: To ensure that the kale chips cook evenly, flip them halfway through the baking time. This helps to prevent them from burning.

Once the kale chips are crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before enjoying.

Let Cool and Enjoy!

Once the kale chips are crispy, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly before enjoying. This allows the chips to firm up and become even more crispy.

Here are some tips for letting kale chips cool and enjoying them:

Let the kale chips cool on a wire rack: Transfer the kale chips from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool. This allows air to circulate around the chips, helping them to cool evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy.

Wait a few minutes before eating: Give the kale chips a few minutes to cool down before eating them. This will help to prevent you from burning your mouth.

Enjoy the kale chips on their own or with a dip: Kale chips can be enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack, or you can serve them with a dip such as hummus, guacamole, or ranch dressing.

Store leftover kale chips in an airtight container: If you have any leftover kale chips, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Kale chips are a delicious and healthy snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Store Leftovers in Airtight Container

If you have any leftover kale chips, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness and crispiness.

Use an airtight container: Choose an airtight container that is large enough to hold all of the leftover kale chips. This will help to prevent the chips from becoming stale or soggy.

Store the kale chips at room temperature: Kale chips can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a warm climate, you may want to store the kale chips in the refrigerator to keep them crispy for longer.

Store the kale chips in the refrigerator: If you want to store the kale chips for longer than 3 days, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Just make sure to place the kale chips in an airtight container before storing them in the refrigerator.

Freeze the kale chips: If you want to store the kale chips for even longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze the kale chips, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Be sure to remove as much air from the bag or container as possible before sealing it.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover kale chips, simply remove them from the container and let them come to room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about making kale chips:

Question 1: What type of kale is best for making kale chips?
Answer: Any type of kale can be used to make kale chips, but curly kale and lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur kale) are the most popular choices. These types of kale have sturdy leaves that hold up well in the oven. Question 2: How do I prepare the kale for baking?
Answer: Rinse the kale leaves thoroughly and pat them dry. Remove the tough stems from the leaves and tear them into bite-sized pieces. Question 3: What are some tips for seasoning kale chips?
Answer: There are many different ways to season kale chips. Some popular options include olive oil, salt, and pepper; garlic powder and onion powder; or chili powder and cumin. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor combinations. Question 4: How long do I bake the kale chips for?
Answer: The baking time for kale chips can vary depending on the thickness of the kale leaves and the temperature of your oven. As a general rule, bake the kale chips at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy. Question 5: How do I store leftover kale chips?
Answer: Leftover kale chips can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze kale chips for up to 3 months. Question 6: Are kale chips a healthy snack?
Answer: Yes, kale chips are a healthy snack. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Kale chips are also low in calories and fat.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about making kale chips. If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Now that you know how to make kale chips, here are a few tips to help you make the perfect batch:

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the perfect batch of kale chips:

Tip 1: Choose the right kale. Not all kale is created equal. For kale chips, you want to choose a variety with sturdy leaves, such as curly kale or lacinato kale (also known as dinosaur kale). These types of kale will hold up well in the oven and become crispy.

Tip 2: Wash and dry the kale thoroughly. Before you start making kale chips, it's important to wash and dry the kale thoroughly. This will help to remove any dirt or debris from the leaves. Make sure to pat the kale leaves dry before tossing them with oil and seasonings.

Tip 3: Don't overcrowd the baking sheet. When you're baking kale chips, it's important to not overcrowd the baking sheet. If the kale chips are too close together, they will not cook evenly and will become soggy. Make sure to spread the kale chips out in a single layer on the baking sheet.

Tip 4: Season the kale chips to your liking. There are many different ways to season kale chips. Some popular options include olive oil, salt, and pepper; garlic powder and onion powder; or chili powder and cumin. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor combinations.

These are just a few tips to help you make the perfect batch of kale chips. With a little practice, you'll be able to make delicious and healthy kale chips at home.

Now that you have all the information you need to make kale chips, it's time to get started! Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and healthy snack.

Conclusion

Making kale chips at home is a simple and rewarding process. With just a few fresh ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a delicious and healthy snack that the whole family will enjoy.

Here's a summary of the main points:

Choose the right kale: Look for kale with sturdy leaves, such as curly kale or lacinato kale.
Wash and dry the kale thoroughly: This will help to remove any dirt or debris from the leaves.
Tear the kale into bite-sized pieces: This will help the kale chips to cook evenly.
Toss the kale with oil, salt, and pepper: You can also add other seasonings to taste.
Spread the kale chips in a single layer on a baking sheet: This will help them to cook evenly and become crispy.
Bake the kale chips at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy:
Let the kale chips cool before enjoying:

Kale chips are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed on their own, or with a dip such as hummus or guacamole. They can also be added to salads or soups for an extra crunch.

So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious snack, give kale chips a try. You won't be disappointed!