Easy Air Fryer Kale Chips: (Whole30 & Keto)

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If you are on the hunt for a super easy low carb snack, these air fryer kale chips will definitely be on repeat! Kale chips made in the air fryer give you that perfect blend of flavor and crunch when you're craving potato chips but want to munch on some veggies instead. These air fried kale chips meet almost any dietary preference. They are keto, paleo, Whole30 compliant, gluten-free and vegan. On top of that, they are quick and easy to make, coming together in just minutes!

Other Air Fryer Recipes You'll Love

Air Fried Brussel Sprouts (paleo, Whole30, low carb)
Air Fryer Buffalo Strips (paleo, Whole30 and low carb options included)
Air Fried Fish Sticks (paleo, Whole30, low carb)
Air Fryer Crispy potatoes (Whole30)

Ingredients

The ingredients for this air fryer kale chips are ridiculously simple. All you will need is:

Kale: You can buy them in a bunch and break apart the kale leaves yourself or you can save a little time and buy your kale pre-chopped
Oil Spray: I like to use avocado oil spray for the perfect crispy kale chips but you can use olive oil as well
Seasonings: The world is your oyster here. I prefer spicy kale chips so I like to use a little chili powder but you can keep it as basic as you'd like with just salt and pepper or a little garlic powder or onion powder.

air fried kale chips — Remove all the hard stems from your kale for crispier air fryer kale chips

How To Make Kale Chips in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Place your chopped kale in a bowl. Make sure to remove all the hard middle stems. Those pieces never get quite as crisp so I leave them out for the best texture.

Step 2: Spray your kale with oil spray. I spray enough to add some flavor but not too much. You really don't need a ton to get your kale chips nice and crispy in the air fryer. Then add in your seasonings and toss. At this point, I like to massage the oil in so that the kale chips are all coated evenly. Just use your hands to massage the oil spray and seasonings into your kale.

Step 3: Add your kale into the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees. Make sure to keep an eye on your kale as it air fries. It can go from crisp to burnt very quickly. I like to take the basket out and shake it every few minutes to make sure the kale crisps evenly. You can batch air fry your kale chips if you are air frying a lot at a time. It's best not to overcrowd the air fryer basket too much.

Recipe Tips

The kale is pretty weightless once it starts to get crispy so with the hot air swirling around the kale can get thrown around near the vent and can get stuck. I just avoid this by pulling out the basket every couple minutes and shaking.
Go easy on the salt and pepper, The first time I made these I put the usual amount of salt I would for any other meal and as the kale shriveled up and got crispy, all that salt really took hold and soaked in. So when I took them out of the air fryer to taste, it was like eating a tablespoon of salt and I had to trash it. Put way less than you think you need and then you can always add more if you want. This will help keep the sodium down as well.

kale chips made in the air fryer on a white plate — spicy, crunchy air fryer kale chips!

Air Fried Kale Variations

Add half a teaspoon of nutritional yeast - this gives your air fryer kale chips a more cheesy flavor
Use ranch seasoning - ranch flavored kale chips are delicious!
Try chipotle powder for a different spicy kick
use Everything Bagel seasoning

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Air Fryer Kale Chips Healthy?

Yes! Making air fried kale chips on your own is a healthy alternative to store bought chips. Minimal oil is used.

Can I have kale chips on Whole30?

For Whole30 purposes, store bought chips are out for the program but making your own kale chips is totally acceptable. Just make sure to use a compliant cooking oil and seasoning blend.

Are kale chips low carb?

Yes! The only carbs homemade kale chips are in the kale itself and that is minimal. This whole recipe has only 10 grams of carbs and only 5 grams per serving.

How long should I air fry kale chips?

Six to seven minutes at 375 degrees is what I find I gets me the best texture for kale chips.

Air Fried Kale Chips: Whole30 & Low Carb

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Author: Jen Lopez
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes
Yield: 2 1x
Category: Sides
Method: Air Fryer
Diet: Low Calorie

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Description

This recipe for air fryer kale chips is a fun way to spruce up your vegetables! This recipe is healthy, easy and satisfies cravings for crunch with minimal amounts of oil! It is also keto, paleo, Whole30 compliant and vegan!

Ingredients

Scale

1 large bunch kale, stems removed (I grabbed a couple large handfuls from a pre-chopped bag)
Avocado oil spray (or oil spray of your choice)
¼ teaspoon Chili powder (I use ½ a teaspoon myself for more of a kick)
salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Rip kale into small pieces and remove hard spines
Add kale to a large bowl, spray with oil spray and add seasonings
Massage oil and seasonings into kale and place in the air fryer
Air fry at 375 degrees for about 6-7 minutes or until desired texture is reached.
Add to a plate and season with more chili powder if desired.