Transform the healthy superfood into delicious kale chips! All you need is a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes to have a crispy snack in your fingertips. This is a great healthy and delicious snack for kids and adults and everyone will be wanting more!
I don’t know about you, but I happen to have the pickiest children on the planet. I keep hoping this will change, but so far no luck. I still have to be sneaky about feeding them vegetables which is ridiculous because they are nine and twelve years old, people. Smoothies and juicing are great options for this and I also love turning vegetables into a yummy, healthy snack.
And KALE, right?! Kale is the healthiest of the healthy foods, so we’re going straight to the big guns here. I have been making kale chips for years, but I remember being skeptical the first time I made them. I didn’t believe I’d be able to create a crispy chip out of kale, but I did! It worked! And not only did it work, these babies are DELICIOUS. When I make a big batch, Dan and I will literally plow through them in minutes.
There is ONE thing about these that I don’t like and I feel like I should definitely tell you what that one thing is. Your teeth may or not be littered with green flecks afterward, so peek in a mirror before chatting with your neighbor or giving a speech. This really is such a great recipe, so don’t let the green teeth thing deter you. Mirrors are your friend.
HOW TO MAKE KALE CHIPS
STEP 1
Tear the leaves off of the ribs of a bunch of washed kale. Tear into medium pieces and pat leaves dry with paper towels. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
STEP 2
Spread kale out on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over kale and toss with hands to coat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until leaves are bright green and crispy. Remove from the oven and season with extra salt, if desired.
RECIPE TIPS: MAKE THE BEST BAKED KALE CHIPS EVER!
I love the simplicity of sprinkling salt and pepper over the chips, but some other spices to consider adding would be garlic salt, paprika, cumin and chili powder. YUM!
You will definitely want to make sure the kale leaves are totally dry before coating them with olive oil. I use paper towels to get my fingers inside the curly kale leaves and remove all moisture, but a salad spinner would work great, too!
Set these out at your next gathering as a replacement for store bought potato chips and see how much people love them. Party-goers will suddenly be declaring their love for kale chips!
Use your oven light to keep a close eye on these as they bake. They should look very lightly brown when they’re finished, but should never reach a deep brown color.
OTHER DELICIOUS KALE RECIPES
Load up on the healthy, leafy veggie as much as you can by adding more of it into your diet! Here are some ideas for doing just that:
Remove kale leaves from the hard ribs and cut or tear into bite size pieces. Place in an air-tight container and toss it with your favorite salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days. The salad dressing will have softened the kale leaves so they are soft and easy to eat!
Crispy Kale and Garbanzo Bean Salad – Crispy Kale and Garbanzo Bean Salad is a great lunch any day of the week. Or double the recipe and serve it at your next gathering. The different textures and bold flavors make this salad a keeper!
I love adding kale to Huevos Rancheros!
Make a delicious Superfood Salad – This salad is PACKED with super foods! Kiwi, oranges, black beans, kale, avocados…can it get any better?! And delicious to boot! Omit the beans to make this a Whole30 recipe!
Juicing kale is one of my absolute favorite things to do with it. It juices great! This Vegetable Juice recipe is one of my faves. This TOTALLY healthy juice will surprise you by its taste. It is delicious! Don’t let the carrots and kale and cucumbers scare you away. This veggie juice will change your life!
Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet and cook kale for a few minutes to soften. Add desired spices, then add eggs, cooked to your liking. This a delicious and healthy way to enjoy breakfast!
Sauteed kale – heat olive oil or butter over medium heat and cook kale for 5 minutes, or until soft and bright green.
KALE BENEFITS
What’s the big deal about kale? Why is it so good for us? For starters, kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on planet earth. A lot of really good stuff is hiding in those dark green curly leaves. It contains tons of antioxidants, it is a great source of vitamin K, vitamin C and B vitamins. It can help to lower cholesterol, which can decrease risk of heart disease. It also contains fiber and water, aiding in digestion. It also contains cartenoids, helping to make your eyes healthy!
CAN DOGS EAT KALE
Kale is absolutely 100% ok for dogs to eat, although feed it in moderation. When consumed in excess it may cause gas and intestinal upset.
CAN YOU FREEZE KALE
Yes! First, wash it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely. Place the kale leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and do a flash freeze for 20 minutes. From there you can tuck the semi-frozen leaves into a resealable bag. Remove as much air as possible and place in the freezer for up to 9 months!
WHAT DOES KALE TASTE LIKE
It has a strong, earthy yet mild taste and a thick leafy texture.
HOW MANY CALORIES IN KALE
One cup of chopped kale leaves contains 33 calories.
HOW MANY CARBS IN KALE
One cup of chopped kale leaves contains 6 grams of carbohydrates.
HOW MUCH PROTEIN IN KALE
One cup of chopped kale leaves contains 2.9 grams of protein.
HOW TO SAUTE KALE
Remove leaves from stems and cut or tear into small pieces. Wash well and allow to dry. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a medium skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, or until soft and bright green. Add minced garlic to the olive oil first for an extra punch of flavor! Serve warm.
HEALTHY FOODS FOR PICKY KIDS
Knowing you can help your kids get the nutrients they need in more than one form is what we want to help you accomplish! We’ve put together a list of delicious foods that our kids don’t see as healthy but allow them to enjoy eating their fruits and/or vegetables in a snack or breakfast item. You’ll be happy they’re eating better choices and they are happy to be blissfully unaware.
Healthy Breakfast Cookies – These cookies aren’t just for breakfast and they are deceptively delicious. Kids will never know how healthy they are!
Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups – Eliminate artificial and unknown ingredients by making your own homemade fruit roll-ups! This is the ultimate snack food for kids. Great for lunch boxes, too!
Healthy Breakfast Muffins – Enjoy breakfast the healthy way! Whip up a batch of these muffins as a perfect on-the-go meal or a snack to stay on track with healthy eating. These breakfast muffins are beyond delicious plus they’re packed with good stuff.
No Bake Granola Bars – These Healthy No-Bake Chewy Granola Bars are the perfect snack for little ones. Filled with dried fruit and chocolate, peanut butter and honey, you will satisfy your sweet tooth with a snack you can feel good about eating. There is something comforting about knowing EXACTLY what goes into your kids’ bodies!
Healthy Fruit Dip – This Fruit and Veggie Dip is creamy, healthy and ADDICTING. Kids LOVE this stuff! Great healthy after-school snack option.
Healthy Snack Bites – These healthy snack bites take less than TEN minutes to make and you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry. My boys adore them! Great after-school or anytime snack with no preservatives or added sugar!
Easy Zucchini Brownies – These are the BEST Zucchini Brownies you’ll ever make! Super moist, flavorful and chocolatey and topped with a creamy-dreamy frosting. This is the best way to use up zucchini from the garden!
Instant Pot Applesauce – Make your next batch of applesauce in your Instant Pot for an added touch of delicious flavor! This recipe requires only a handful of ingredients and takes just a few minutes to make. It is a great way to use up apples, it is the perfect snack for kids and it never lasts long in my house.
CRAVING MORE HEALTHY SALADS OPTIONS?
Best Chopped Salad – This chopped salad is packed with delicious ingredients including candied pecans, red onions, avocado, tomatoes and more!
Edamame Tomato Corn Salad – Edamame Tomato Corn Salad is my favorite salad recipe of ALL TIME. This delicious salad is a crowd-pleaser, enjoyed any time of the year. Bring this to a party and it will be devoured immediately!
Loaded Veggie Salad – This versatile Loaded Veggie Salad is EASY to make and it is packed with healthy ingredients, such as chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes and avocados. It is a delicious lunch, wrap filling, party side or even a topping for chicken!
Quinoa Edamame Salad – Quinoa Edamame Salad is great for parties and can be served in throw-away cups for serving ease. Also great as a salad to have in the fridge. It is packed with fresh fruit and veggies.
Crunchy Bok Choy Salad – This crunchy, veggie-packed Bok Choy Salad is a great dish to bring to parties. Prepare this one just before serving. It will quickly become a salad favorite!
Avocado Berry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette – This is the most beautiful, vibrant salad you’ll ever meet that also aligns with the Whole30 diet! There is such an intriguing combination of flavors and textures and you’ll want to eat it every single day.
Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 bunch kale
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Tear the leaves off of the ribs of a bunch of washed kale. Tear into medium pieces and pat leaves dry with paper towels.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Spread kale out on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil in a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over kale and toss with hands to coat and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, or until leaves are bright green and crispy. Remove from the oven and season with extra salt, if desired.
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