Save a bunch of time (not to mention money) by making kale chips in the air fryer! These easy steps will have you well on your way to preparing seasoned crispy kale chips in no time.

A bowl of kale chips, some coated in Parmesan.

I like kale chips as a snack, but sometimes lack the patience to prep them in the oven. Low and slow is the name of that game.

A few kinds are available at my grocery store, but the speed with which I can tear through one of those smallish bags makes the $4.50 price tag hard to swallow!

Here we have a compromise: air fryer kale chips. While they're not as convenient as popping open a bag, they air fry low and fast for a considerable time savings.

These crisp up so nice and light! I've made them with a bunch of different seasonings and can't really pick a favorite, though the Parmesan batch was a big hit in my house. More seasoning options below.

Reasons to Make Air Fryer Kale Chips

You'll save time. Air fryer kale chips cook in roughly 6 minutes, saving you 20+ minutes than if you'd made them in the oven.
They're cost-effective. A light-as-air single serving bag of kale chips can run you between $4-5! One big bunch of kale is around half the cost and yields multiple servings.
Lots of flavor options. By using different seasonings or adding Parmesan, you can easily season your homemade kale chips to just how you like them.

Recipe Ingredients

A bunch of kale, olive oil, and salt text labeled with their names.

Kale: I use curly kale here, but Lacinato (also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale) also works. I recommend not using bagged kale greens as the leaves are often chopped too small and this type includes the tough, thick stem pieces which we don't use.
Olive Oil: Or your preferred type, like avocado oil, etc. This works to crisp the kale up and helps the salt and other seasonings adhere.
Salt & Seasoning: You can just stick with salt, but other dried seasonings can be nice, too. Add to taste.

Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

Wash the Kale - The curly bits can hold onto dirt so it's important to give the kale leaves a good wash before using. Rinse each leave well under cool water, then dry them thoroughly, either by patting with a clean dish towel or using a salad spinner.

Whole kale leaves circled around a salad spinner.

Slice - Gather both halves of the leaves to one side and slice away and discard the thick stem. Slice the leaves into larger bite-sized pieces, removing any thicker ribs as you go.

A kale leaf on a cutting board with the stem sliced off.

Massage with Oil - Rub the olive oil all over the kale and massage it into each piece so it's all nicely coated. Season with salt and any another dried seasoning you'll be using.

A bowl of olive oil massaged kale leaves.

Arrange on Tray - Spray the air fryer tray with non-stick cooking spray, then arrange the kale leaves in a single layer. They can be packed in close to one another, but try not to have any folded or scrunched up as that can hinder crisping.

Oil rubbed kale leaves arranged on an air fryer tray.

Place Rack on Top - Spray the bottom of the rack that comes with your air fryer with cooking spray and place this over the kale leaves on the tray. This looks backwards, but it keeps the kale chips in place once the fan in the air fryer starts blowing.

A metal rack situated on top of oiled kale leaves.

Air Fry - Air fry at 325°F for 6 or so minutes, shaking the kale chips up partway through if needed. Remove them when they're fully crisped (some may take longer than others). Let them cool on a wire rack before enjoying.

Air fryer kale chips on the metal air fryer tray.

Flavor Variations

You can take these air fryer kale chips in plenty of different flavor directions. If using a dried spice blend, take a look to see if it includes salt, as you may want to reduce or eliminate the separately added salt.

Parmesan: Finely grate Parmesan (or Pecorino) and add it to the kale chips during the last minute or two of air frying. It will burn if it's on the kale the whole time. Keep in mind this adds a salty element, so reduce the added salt.
Ranch: Sprinkle kale leaves with store-bought or homemade ranch seasoning for an herby, tangy twist.
Taco: Spice it up with store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
Smoky: Add smoked paprika and/or season with a smoked salt variety.
Everything: Everything bagel seasoning!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

This recipe timing is without preheating the air fryer. Place the first batch in the cold air fryer, keeping in mind further batches may take less time as it's already heated.
Weighing down the kale with a rack is important! The kale chips become so light, the fan can start blowing them around the air fryer near the end of cook time. This is a fire risk as they can touch the heating element.
Timing can vary depending upon air fryer model, type of kale, etc. Keep cooking until the kale pieces are fully dried and crisp.
If you thought your kale chips were done, but realize after they've cooled that they're still a tiny bit chewy (been there), simply pop them back in for an extra minute or two.
All of your kale chips may not take the same amount of time to cook. Remove smaller or fully crisped pieces and allow the rest to cook until done.

More Kale Recipes

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