Baked Kale Chips

These kale chips are amazing. It's mind-blowing how roasting kale leaves in olive oil turns them into crispy and flavorful chips!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 80kcal

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Wash the kale and dry it thoroughly using a salad spinner, clean kitchen towels, or paper towels. Dry it REALLY well. If it's not truly dry, it won't crisp up as it bakes. Cut the stalks off and tear the kale leaves into bite-size pieces. After cleaning, you should have about 5 ounces of kale leaves.
1 bunch curly kale
Spread the leaves in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Generously spray them with olive oil and sprinkle them with salt and garlic powder.
Olive oil spray, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Roast the leaves until dry and crispy, 20-30 minutes (see notes below). It takes a while for the leaves to become crispy, so please be patient. At first, they just wilt. But slowly and gradually, they crisp up.
Serve immediately.

Some of the kale leaves will get crispy faster. So, start checking on them after 20 minutes, and remove the ones that are done to a plate. The very stubborn ones might take as long as 30 minutes to dry out and become crispy.
While I usually use curly kale, it's fine to use Tuscan (flat-leaf) kale. The advantage of curly kale is that the leaves' ruffles get deliciously crispy. The advantage of Tuscan kale is that it's easier to dry, and it bakes quicker and more evenly because the leaves are flat.
Be generous with the olive oil. It adds flavor and helps the kale become crispy.
Like many homemade snacks that lack preservatives, the crispness of these chips is relatively short-lived. So, I recommend you only make as many as you will eat that same day. If you must store these chips, once they are completely cooled, place them in an airtight container or in a tightly sealed resealable bag and keep them on the counter for 1-2 days. I don't recommend freezing these chips.
Seasonings, especially salt, are guidelines. Adjust to taste.