Dehydrated Kale Chips Recipe

These dehydrated kale chips are crispy, flavorful, and best of all, they’re a filling snack that’s nutritious and satisfying!

We decided to invest in a quality food dehydrator a few years ago and did a lot of research into the different brands. After reading reviews I bought an Excalibur dehydrator and love it.

We’ve made apple chips (delicious!), garlic salt and different kinds of dehydrated vegetables. We have dried kale to toss into winter soups and stews.

And we made chips…homemade kale chips…Paprika Kale Chips!

Why You’ll Love this Dehydrated Kale Chips Recipe

There are so many health benefits to kale – and so worth it for us to be eating. Kale can help to manage your blood pressure, protect against getting diabetes and may even help with reducing cancer.

Ready to learn how to make kale chips in the dehydrator? Buy the best looking bunch of kale from your local grocery store and dive in!

How to Make Kale Chips

This is my 9 tray Excalibur dehydrator with timer (automatic shutoff). It gets used a lot here and I am very happy with the quality. I store it away over Winter in the basement. Usually though it is upstairs through the entire garden harvest season.

I compared the different types of dehydrators and thought the Excalibur with the automatic timer was the best one to get. I am so glad I did.

It does cost more, but the convenience (and not having to wait up at night until the batch was finished) was well worth it.

One of my friends made homemade kale chips and they were pretty good, so of course I wanted to try making them myself. Since the garden isn’t in season, I had to buy some kale at the grocery store.

They were $2.99 and there were 11 stems of Kale. That’s pretty expensive and reinforces the idea of growing our own food and eating seasonally.

I am loving having the dehydrator, Excalibur’s are expensive but from every review I have read, they are the very best. Mine came with a 10 year warranty and free shipping and I intend to use it a lot. If you want to research them, click on the links above.

I also have a Salton dehydrator. It is much smaller so cannot hold anywhere near the quantity of the Excalibur.

Ingredients

• kale leaves – kale is a fantastic leafy green that can help boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol, improve your heart health, and even prevent against certain kinds of cancer! It’s full of antioxidants and fiber and low in calories, fat, and carbs, which makes kale the perfect ingredient for a healthy snack.
• extra virgin olive oil – helps your kale leaves get nice and crispy.
• paprika – adds a hint of sweetness and spiciness which pairs well with the hearty, green taste of the kale.
• sea salt – just because they’re kale chips doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add a little bit of salt for flavor!

 

Instructions for Homemade Kale Chips

1. I separated the kale leaves and gave them a good washing. After cutting out the stems and cutting the kale into chip sized pieces, I tossed the kale pieces in a large bowl.
2. Combine the coating mix and add it to the kale. You have to get in there with your hands to toss the kale around and make sure it is covered with the coating mixture.
3. Arrange the kale leaves in single layers on the dehydrator trays for 5 hours. Let them cool down a bit, then enjoy!

 

Dried Kale Chips Variations

• If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also arrange on a baking sheet and bake these kale chips in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Play around with the spices and seasonings you use to switch up the flavor of these chips and give yourself some variety. Chili powder or flakes, nutritional yeast, red peppers flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper or black pepper, or whatever your favorite flavors are would all take these homemade kale chips to the next level!
• These paprika kale chips can be made with a number of other greens like chard, collard greens, bok choy, and even brussels sprouts!
• Sprinkle dehydrated kale leaves with a bit of lemon juice for a pop of citrus flavor.

 

FAQs

Why aren’t my kale chips crispy?

If there’s any excess moisture on the kale leaves after washing them, this can prevent them from crisping up properly, even in the dehydrator. I recommend using a salad spinner to help remove moisture, and be sure to pat them dry with some paper towels as well.

Are dried kale chips healthy?

Absolutely! Kale is packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are great for heart health, anti-inflammatory purposes, gut health, and can even help fight cancer! Among these are vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, potassium, and iron.

They’re naturally gluten-free and low in carbohydrates, so this tasty snack is also much healthier than a lot of other chip options.

Does kale need to be blanched before dehydrating?

No, blanching kale isn’t necessary to make dehydrated kale chips. In fact, skipping this step can help preserve a lot of the vitamins and nutrients that are present in kale.

How long does it take for kale to dehydrate?

It will take about 5 hours for your kale to fully crisp up in the dehydrator.

Is it OK to eat kale chips every day?

In moderation it should be fine. Just be aware that kale contains a large amount of fiber, and eating too much of it on a regular basis can disrupt your digestive system and can cause things like bloating or gas.

 

More Snack Recipes You’ll Love

Our entire Country Living in a Cariboo Valley Recipe Collection can be found here, but here are some other great snacks for you to try!

• These Bacon Wrapped Garlic Bites are a delicious and savory appetizer.
• For a snack on the sweeter side, try these Chewy Coconut Cookies.
• Homemade Refrigerator Pickles from A Spicy Perspective are another healthy and filling snack!
• Air Fryer Pasta Chips from Cocktails and Appetizers are a fun new way to enjoy pasta, and so easy to make in the air fryer. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce!

 

Thumbs up – we really liked the flavour of the paprika kale chips. I am going to experiment with a few different recipes. If you have tried drying Kale chips, let me know what recipe you use. I’d love to give it a try.

 

Dehydrated Kale Chips

If you enjoy this recipe for homemade kale chips, please be sure to rate it 5 stars below!

First Published May 2016; Updated October 2023

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