These easy air fryer kale chips are delicious, quick and easy! Make them at home in your air fryer for a healthy snack.
My friends and family have started to tease me about my kale chip compulsion.
It's probably because I keep making batch after batch, so whenever they talk to me I'm usually eating kale chips.
Yup that's me, Facetiming with a bowl of crispy veggies. You're welcome world.
I can't help myself, because they're so goooood.
My kale chip adventure started in the oven with these baked kale chips. If you don't have an air fryer yet, check out that other post for oven directions.
More recently, however, I've discovered air fryer kale chips, and haven't looked back.
This recipe is written for an Air Fryer Lid (an attachment for my 6-quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7-in-1).
Note: The official Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid seems to be discontinued. You can find off-brand air fryer lids that are labeled as fitting the Instant Pot, or you can use a dedicated air fryer. Some time adjustments may be needed, as each brand seems to cook slightly differently.
Why Use an Air Fryer Instead of the Oven?
I love making kale chips in an air fryer because the chips are less greasy, the air fryer kale chips cook faster than oven kale chips, and the air fryer basket is easier to clean than the baking sheets.
How to Prepare the Kale
If you're using full leaves of kale, start by cutting out the tough ribs. Next, roughly chop the kale.
Another option is to buy pre-chopped bags of kale.
Next, clean your kale.
If you can, use a salad spinner, because it'll get the kale extra-dry. I love my OXO salad spinner.
If you don't have a salad spinner, rinse the kale and lay it out on a towel. Pat it dry.
How to Make Air Fryer Kale Chips
Start by massaging the kale a little with your hands, and season it with oil, salt, and your favorite seasonings.
I recommend using Bragg's nutritional yeast.
Add about half the kale to the air fryer basket.
Add the air fryer shelf.
Top with the remaining kale.
Next, add the air fryer lid.
Technically, you should pre-heat the air fryer lid, but since it heats up to 300-degrees pretty quickly, I often skip this step when making kale chips.
Set the temperature and time, and hit start.
When the air fryer beeps and tells you to turn your food, ignore it. Like a rebel.
When it stops cooking, open the lid and remove the kale chips.
If you like, add a little extra seasoning to your chips, and dig in while they're still nice and warm!
Looking for more air fried veggie ideas? Try these crispy air fryer brussels sprouts from Carmyy!
Air Fryer Kale Chips
Equipment
- salad spinner
- + Air Fryer Lid for Instant Pot
Ingredients
Basic Kale Chips
- ⅛ pound kale, stems removed + leaves roughly chopped
- ½ tablespoon olive oil Or use your favorite oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Seasonings (Mix + Match As Desired):
- 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes OR cayenne powder
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds OR Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Indian curry powder or smoked paprika
Instructions
- Rinse kale and dry in a salad spinner. If you don't have a salad spinner, lay kale on a towel and pat dry.
- Preheat air fryer to 300°F.
- Add kale to a bowl. (I dry the salad spinner bowl and use that.)Toss kale with olive oil, and then sprinkle with salt and your seasoning of choice. Massage the kale with your hands to coat with the oil and seasoning.
- Add half the kale to the air fryer basket. Add the air fryer shelf, and top with the remaining kale.
- Put the air fryer lid in place, and air fry for 8 minutes at 300°F, or 9 minutes at 300°F for extra crispy chips.If your air fryer beeps to tell you to turn the food, know that for this recipe, you do not need to turn the kale.Check kale after 8 minutes. If it isn't crisp, air fry 1-2 more minutes.Note that not all air fryers alike, so the exact cook time for your air fryer model may vary.
- Serve chips immediately, or store in a loosely covered container at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Notes
Make sure to thoroughly dry the kale after rinsing. Try increasing the cook time by 1-2 minutes. I didn't use enough seasoning + my kale chips are bland. Add more seasoning after baking, and remember next time to add more before baking. I like adding extra nutritional yeast after baking even when I added enough seasoning from the beginning!
Nutrition information assumes kale chips are seasoned with only oil, salt, and nutritional yeast.
Lindsay says
I love this recipe - so easy and results in perfectly crisped kale chips.
I season mine with everything bagel seasononing and grated parmesan- deeeeelicious.
Only problem - it takes me about 20 mins to prepare and 2 mins to eat whole batch 😉
Alisha Trenalone says
Relatable problem!! So glad you love them, thanks for letting us know!
-Alisha at Champagne Tastes
Corinne Holtz says
This is the first thing I made in my duo crisp instantpot. I used organic red kale with Sonoma Gourmet Roasted Chiles oil and
Weber smokey mesquite seasoning. I extended the time for 9 minutes to make extra crispy, then melt in your mouth amazingness.Tried lacinto (dino) kale as well, but weren't as crispy since they have less curly edges. Either way I am now officially addicted!
Alisha Trenalone says
Awesome! That's what we like to hear! Glad you enjoyed them so much, and thanks for letting us know.
-Alisha at Champagne Tastes
Harriet says
My first usage of the Duo Crisp Air Fryer! Thank you for your detailed instructions. LOVED the results! The first batch was blackened at 8 minutes at 300° Got beautiful results at 6 minutes. I used bagged, chopped kale, and the leaves were pretty thin. Next time I'll buy whole lacinato kale and tear it in pieces.
Alisha Trenalone says
Thanks Harriet! We're thrilled that they came out so well and that you found the right cook time for your particular air fryer. That can take a little trial and error for sure!
-Alisha at Champagne Tastes