Kale Chips Recipe (10 Flavor Options!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

Are kale chips actually healthy? ›

Healthy alternative: Baked kale chips are much lighter compared to traditional potato chips or other fried snacks. They're low in calories, but kale is packed with vitamins and minerals, making homemade kale chips an ideal snack for any time of the day. They're even great as a side dish for burgers and sandwiches!

Adding salt and squeezing lemon make a big difference by removing bitterness. Adding some spicy or sweet flavors may help tame the strong flavor of bitter kale.

Rinse and dry the kale leaves before removing most of the centre stalk, leaving long, thin pieces of kale. Toss the kale in the oil, then sprinkle with the sugar, cinnamon and ½ tablespoon of sea salt. Arrange the leaves in a single layer on a couple of baking trays and bake for 5 minutes, until crisp.

Let them cool completely. It's typically the moisture produced as something cools from the oven that makes things soggy. Store kale chips in a paper bag, a loosely sealed plastic bag, or a container with a loosely fitted lid. Line your storage container with a paper towel before adding chips.

While kale chips may seem like a healthier option, some commercial brands can be crammed with sodium, sugar, and artificial flavors. This is the kind of processed food that can lead to a higher risk for high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and other cardiac issues.

Consumption of kale in excess can lead to constipation and stomach irritation. Due to the presence of oxalates, kale can increase the risk of kidney stones. Kale contains goitrogens, substances that inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormone. So, its intake can increase the risk of iodine deficiency.

Kale Chips

Kale actually contains a phytochemical called beta carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A in the body. According to a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, beta carotene displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the gut lining and reduce intestinal inflammation.

Made with three simple ingredients green leafy kale, oil, and a touch of salt, kale chips are the perfect low-carb, low-glycemic snack for diabetics.

And unlike potato chips, kale retains its nutritional value when made into chips. Kale is high in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin A and calcium, as well as B vitamins, vitamin C and potassium. It's fat- and sodium-free, and the minuscule amounts of olive oil and salt used in my recipe barely bump up those amounts.

Any variety of kale – curly or flat – can be made into baked kale chips. Some home cooks prefer to use flat lacinato kale, aka "dinosaur" kale, so named for its leathery appearance, and some like the frilly appearance of curly kale. Try batches of both and see which you like best.

Do kale chips fill you up? ›

Kale chips can be helpful snacks for losing weight when used as a replacement for high-calorie foods. As a replacement for high-calorie snacks, kale chips are more nutrient-dense and less calorie-dense. Kale chips will help you feel fuller and need fewer calories, key ingredients to weight loss.

To keep them crispy, it is important to let them cool completely. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. You could also try adding a few grains of raw rice or silica packs (like those found in store-bought kale chips) to the airtight container. & Perfect for snacking!

Although I prefer to eat my kale chips immediately, made ahead or leftover kale chips should be stored in an airtight container once cooled. Your chips will keep about 2-3 days at room temperature, or up to a week if stored in the fridge.

Once the veggies are processed into chips, many of the vitamins and plant chemicals are destroyed. This leaves you with a food that's much higher in calories and fat with fewer nutrients. Clever marketing has made consumers believe “veggie” chips are healthy. Let's not forget that potatoes are a veggie too.

Kale, the main ingredient in simply7 Kale Chips, is a great source of vitamin K. This important vitamin is a powerful antioxidant and key contributor to bone health.

Best: Brad's Crunchy Kale Original

This option just 6 grams of carbs with 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. A veggie chip made of kale, we think that is pretty impressive. They also keep sodium levels modest with 210 milligrams of sodium per serving.