Back in my advertising days, I had a friend called Peaches le David. That wasn’t her actual name – her name was Beatrice but when she told someone her name over the phone, she received a fax addressed to Peaches Le David. Anyway, that’s not really important except that it sounded like a drag name or a parrot’s name and everyone should have a drag name, don’t you think?
Anyway… through Peaches I became addicted to potato chips. Before her, I was a very good eater and was tight lipped against anything fatty or oily. But she loved chips and when we would work back late, she’d pop open one of the “after hours” snacks of potato chips and the air would fill with the aroma of salt and oil. We shared an office so she would always offer me one. I’d shake my head and she’d continue with her orchestra of chip eating “crunch, crunch, crunch… swallow.”
One day I decided to try one and after that, I was hooked on chips. I know it sounds silly but give me something salty and crunchy over something sweet. I realise how ridiculous that sounds as this blog is a shrine to sweet desserts and cakes and I’d never kick one out of bed, but salty and crunchy is what I usually crave. Except chips are of course terribly unhealthy and terribly good at making your bottom explode to the size of Antarctica.
I’d heard all about kale chips, mostly from American blogs and read how they mimicked the taste of potato chips perfectly. So I decided to give these a go with a bunch of organic kale figuring that I would have nothing to lose except weight. I tried it a few stems of kale just to test it out thinking that I could always feed the rest of the kale to my resident vegetable chipper (aka Mr NQN). It only took about 2 minutes of prep and then 20 minutes in a low oven.
I turned them over halfway and they looked like oily, limp lettuce. Fearing the worst, I put them back in and set the timer again. After another 10 minutes, I checked them again. Something had happened during this time and they were thin and crispy and crunchy and somehow, they tasted like thin potato chips! Not only that, kale also has calcium, vitamins, phytochemicals, flavenoids as well as lots of fibre. Don’t let the fact that they look like salad put you off, I promise that if you’re looking for a low fat alternative to potato chips, these may help with any potential Antarctic sized bottoms 
So tell me Dear Reader, which team are you? Sweet or savoury?
Kale Chips
- 1 bunch of kale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- sprinkling of salt
2. Bake for 20 minutes, stopping halfway and turning the leaves over. At this point you will think I’ve completely lost my mind and you may curse my name as you have a mess of wilted, soggy kale but stay with me. After another ten minutes, the kale will be paper thin, almost translucent and very crispy. Eat and if you don’t mind, please lift the curse off me 
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83 Comments | Add your own
You know I love sweets but for an afternoon snack, I always go for salty. I’ve been skeptical of the kale chip craze but you’ve convinced me!
Something I haven’t tried yet! Healthy indeed.
Cheers,
Rosa
Kale chips cost at least $9 for a 2oz bag here in America, but dear lord I’m going to succumb eventually. I could never find kale in Canberra; I’ve wanted to make kale chips for years!
I wasn’t convinced on kale chips until I made them myself – they really are VERY tasty! Love your simple take on them. Next time, add a little spice and they’ll knock your socks off!
We had a customer a couple of years ago who wanted to have a package designed for her vegan version (instead of cheese she used almond flour). They were actually quite tasty, but it wasn’t the kale we craved, it was the salt and seasonings. A far cry better than deep fried potato chips, but then I’ll stick to chomping on my celery stubs when I feel snacky at work. Love the colour, though.
Wow I never knew you could make chips out of Kale
I see it at the supermarkets but never dared to buy it hehe yay now I know what to do!
I don’t need to tell you if i’m on the sweet team or the savoury team
it’s SUGAR all the way hehe!
Salty crunchy is my kryptonite…
I’ve never tried kale chips, just plenty of the potato variety because this is a house that always has bags of chips in the pantry – they’re a weakness of mine like Beatrice Peaches. I’ll give the kale a try xx
Now, as you know, I have quite a lot of kale growing in the garden, so this is a definite must make for us! Thanks Lorraine!
I eat kale every week in all kinds of ways, but I buy the lacinato which has those big ribs in that must cut off. What’s left are big pieces of green, perfect for baking. JUST TODAY before I opened this, I thought I should make those kale chips everyone talks about. See, Lorraine, on same page. I love how you styled this with the newspaper. Clever.
So many American blogs I read eat this, so I had a look around and you can buy them here but they’re pretty expensive. Thanks for the recipe! It’s quick and easy. Just a question though where do you get kale?
Excellent! Cavolo nero grows like mad in Bagni di Lucca. I’ll be trying this soon.
I have kale growing in my garden at a friends request. As she is currently overseas and I do not particularly like steamed or stir-fried kale I am willing to try this….I also am a fan of the “crisps”
i had kale chips when i went to New York. the slightly bitter bite was addictive
I am totally addicted to these! I was going to blog about them a few weeks ago but found them insanely hard to photograph and gave up!You’ve done a great job with your photos, I love the newspaper idea. I sprinkle mine with sesame seeds and a little lemon juice also! Yum!
Yes, I have tried these before, my twin sister made them for me, extremely delicious! Gotta love kale!Great scrunched up and sprinkled on a salad too!
I have two big Kale plants in the veggie patch that I’m running out of recipes for, so thanks so much for this one Lorraine!
I think Peaches is a much cuter name than Beatrice anyway, and I would definitely choose the chips over sweets any day
You totally rock with the interesting things you share!
Sweet for me!
Thank you for this recipe. I love kale chips and have been wondering if there was a way to make them with out deep-frying.
I love kale chips! And I am definitely in the savory team. Each time I have a little of sweet, I need to have a bite or two of savory something: kale chips, a pickle, a tomato (by the way, I eat tomato same way some people eat apples, isn’t tomato called Love Apple?!)
I’ve heard and seen a lot about these too. As a devoted and incorrigible potato chip addict it will take some convincing for me to believe they taste like the real thing, but I’m prepared to give them a try!
Yay! Kale chips are wonderful. I like to sprinkle some of mine with a little balsamic vinegar before baking for a ‘salt and vinegar’ type effect.
If you have any kale left over it is delicious simply sauteed with olive oil and garlic.
Thanks Lorraine!
I am a savory person give me a hot chip with salt or even dare I say it a crisp chip. I will definitely try these as they can be eaten guilt free.
So simple and delicious. A winning combination for me.
SSG xxx
I had my first taste of kale chips at Hartsyard – I do think they were deep fried though. And it was delicious!! You’ve made it look too easy Lorraine.
Such gorgeous photography! I really loved the styling in this post, Lorraine!
I’m definitely ‘team sweet’. No doubt about it. In desperate times, I’ve been known to eat muesli for dinner.
I make mine in the microwave, first toss with a little sesame oil and salt then zap on high for a couple of mintues!
From one chip addict to another…
Thanks for sharing.
I also love anything crunchy and salty. I could eat 10 kilos of plain salted corn chips in one sitting (the market around the corner from my house sells lovely homemade ones… dangerous). These kale chips are on the list of recipes to try
Lorraine you’ve convinced me!
I’m all for healthy and natural foods. If they taste like potatoe chips and are healthier with all those nutrients, then I won’t feel guilty snacking on them. Now I have to convince the rest of the family.
I am Team Savoury all the way. This is probably the most simple thing you’ve ever posted and I’m going to give it a go…you have been “pinned”.
Wow – kale tasting like potato… nice! Though not sure there’s a replacement for potato chips
These chips have been on my to do list for too long – healthy and amazingly delicious and addictive? Can’t believe it!
Your photos attest to it though
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Gosh I’ve been meaning to make these for ages! So hard to believe that something lettuce-like could actually go crispy in the oven. Total win!
YUM! I am going to make Kale Chips this weekend.
Can I be on both teams?
I’m a sweet. I must find some kale that isn’t so bitter it turns my mouth inside out. I think I’d love these chips. I need to get addicted to healthy food.
Kale chips yum!! I must say I can’t choose sides, I like salty and sweet at the same time, like salted caramel, choc top and pop corn – love it!
Thank you for bringing this ‘home’ to Australia
! We seem to have read the same blogs. My problem is that the local supermarkets don’t even seem to know what kale is, and, as has been suggested, it looks like I have to grow the stuff myself 
! You seem to be luckier in Sydney! So many people have praised, I am now truly curious to taste! Wonder whether silverbeet would ‘behave’ in the same thus manner? Salty or sweet – actually neither [ 
!]: but savoury is very much my way to go! Oh, love the green photos!
Oh, excellent. I was just looking at the massive kale patch my husband planted and wondered what I was going to do with it all… apart from give overflowing grocery bags of the stuff to the neighbours. I’ll have a go at these this weekend as I’m trying to pass on the chips at the moment (damn baby weight, be gone!) but this could satisfy my craving and be healthy.
Yum! I love kale and kale chips are one of the best ways to eat it. I’m so glad kale is becoming more easily available here!
Hmm, I don’t know if I’m team sweet or savoury – it really depends on how I’m feeling! I love mixing sweet and salty though!
Yum! These remind me of a healthy version of my favourite at the Chinese – deep fried spinach!
That Peaches Le David sure has a lot to answer for. I am a salt fiend as well, as much as a good sweet will tempt me. I became convinced of this when I realised almost all my breakfast choices were savoury. I do have to speed past the chip section in the shops, or else I will buy and then consume a large pack in the blink of an eye.
Will try these Kale chips, for sure! I always ponder how recipes like this get discovered…
My mum grows kale in her garden, so I was delighted to read about your kale chips (which I’d never heard of until now). We’ll definitely be giving this a go! Thanks for sharing
I love kale chips! I like adding tahini and red pepper flakes. Mmmm
I grew kale as a science project. I can’t eat it like that.
I first taught myself to make these when I saw them in California for $8.25 for 6 individual pieces. If you get them right, they are irresistible. I can eat an entire tray of them all by myself.
I have always going to try and make these but I thought they were deep fried :0 so I haven’t. I like sweet and savory, fatty and salty. I wish I could choose just one vice
I’d have to say team sweet… anything that can pair well with coffee!
Love the simple recipe though
I love simple!
Well, I’m not sure, I just know that like food, and I like to eat, no matter if it sweet or not, ok, ok, perhaps more sweet than savory.
I adore kale chips, and totally understand how the cooking process is a bit unnerving (they do look like soggy, oily lettuce halfway through — good description). We grow quite a bit of kale at my in-laws’ farm, so you’ve inspired me to try my hand at these again!
Wow these look great. Savoury and salty are preferred over sweet. What’s that about big backsides? I thought sweet offerings did this and crisps were the healthier alternative I will have to sacrifice the kale in the garden to try this, but, it will resprout!
wow that sounds like a great substitute for normal potato chips!! at the moment im hooked on kumara chips too! i definitely have a sweet tooth though! no one can keep me away from sugar
Kale chips are addictive. Addictive!!! They’re great with a little red pepper flakes too.
One of my business partners brought me in a bag of these recently. She had flavoured them in a coating of ground organic almonds and chill powder. OMG they were to DIE for. I was wondering how she made them and ta-da you produce the goods! Thanks again Lorraine!
How clever! Eat kale chips and lose weight
Hi everyone! If you are looking for kale, you can buy it at greengrocers (supermarkets don’t tend to stock it) and Harris Farm sells it too
Love, Lorraine xxx
Aren’t kale chips amazing? Best snack ever!
Secret confession: I like potato chips with vanilla ice-cream. Sweet and savory combined – very balanced. Discovered it when I was a kid, and at 46 occasionally still sneak them. Weird?
You know I’ve always wanted to make kale chips but never myself actually getting down to it. Thanks for sharing this simple recipe.
Love kale chips. For an even saltier hit, sprinkle the oil covered kale with parmesan before baking. You won’t regret it.
WOW i didn’t realise it was that easy to make kale chips! I’ve BOUGHT a packet for LOTS OF MONEY before lol… i’m going to try this straight away – thanks, Lorraine!
I’ve only ever found the black tuscan kale which I am never sure would work as chips but these sound lovely – I didn’t know they tasted like potato chips – I have just read lots about how healthy they are – I have seen them for sale in healthfood shops so maybe I would start there – unfortunately I married a potato chip monster whose bottom does not explode – life is unfair!
Kale chips, YUM! I don’t share though – once I start munching I can easily devour the entire kale on my own. I sometimes sprinkle mine with five spice powder and serve with my Turkey-Jasmone burgers too.
I love vegetable chips done in the oven
Fried salad, genius! Definitely a savoury girl!
YUM! Love this. I adore sweeter and savour. Can’t choose. Wont
Heidi xo
Hahaha love it! I think drag names are fab. They always make me smile. So creative
Lorraine where did you buy the Kale? I cant find it anywhere
I have to make this recipe…
I love kale chips, tried couple of time but somehow something is missing…
These look to die for.. Totally need some in my life!!
Hi Nic! You can get it at Harris Farm and other greengrocers
Super pretty! I’m a savoury girl all the way… As you know! Hoping to avoid the large bottom though – time will tell!!
This year I learned that I liked Kale. I haven’t had the chance to make kale chips yet, but sounds like everyone loves it from their experience. It’s on my to make list still. I thought this is a frying pan, but the handle was not the frying pan handle! =P
i was, am, and always will be an avid member of team sweets. that doesn’t mean i wouldn’t enjoy these though.
Dear Lorraine,
Simple and awesome recipe. Definitely more healthy than my baked chicken wings while watching sports on telly. Savoury team for me and LOL Antarctic bottom!!
Since kale isn’t found in most supermarket shelves I did this with silverbeet leaves (removing the stems) – and though it had to spend a little longer in the oven it worked a treat!
I only tried this with two leaves as I thought mum would be a little annoyed to come home and see that I’d raided her kale patch! But they were sensational and they are all I can think about now! Thanks from NZ Lorraine =)
Try holding off on the salt before baking for salt sometimes draws out the moisture leaving a soggy mess and cause it to bake longer. A house favorite is dusting it with furukake (japanese seasoning) yielding a taste akin to seasoned nori right after you take it out of the oven.
Hi Michelle! Great to know that we can do it with silverbeet. I’m going to try that next!
And hi Morgana, I’m so glad that you liked it. Hello to NZ!! 
Betty, great tip! 
I found bags of baby kale next to the rocket in Woolworths (Sydney) last week! Sadly it wasn’t my local one but hopefully soon!
I’ve been obsessed with making kale chips lately! They are sooo good! I don’t really like potato chips, but I looovvve kale chips!
Just made these, they turned out perfect!. I added far to much salt and oil the first time, they don’t need much because of how much they shrink in the oven. They are great, definitely not going back to potato chips!
HI AJ! I’m so glad that you liked them! Yes it’s amazing how little oil they need. I think I put too much my first go too
Cool!
After making your baked Semolina chips and Gorgonzola dip I will follow you anywhere! They are even better than Bloodwood’s and I adored theirs!
I am going to try this one tomorrow as I, too, was once addicted to chips when I worked in an office! (those work mates!)
After making your baked Polenta chips and Gorgonzola dip I will follow you anywhere! They are even better than Bloodwood’s and I adored theirs!
I am going to try this one tomorrow as I, too, was once addicted to chips when I worked in an office! (those work mates!)
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