This kale chips recipe is so easy a 5-year-old can make it…no really! (And it’s so good she keeps asking to make them over and over again.)
If you wondered whether or not I was finished with the Kids Cooking Camp posts, the answer is ‘absolutely not.’
It turns out that we weren’t able to complete a full week of cooking due to a sudden family emergency, but I know that some of you have expressed an interest in learning more about how I am teaching my kids to cook.
And now that the one room challenge is over, I can get back to sharing all the recipes, resources, and tips that helped make our kids cooking camp a success.
So far, I’ve shared the first two recipes that my then 5-year-old mostly cooked by herself: Slow Cooker Applesauce and Basic Banana Bread. On our third day of Cooking Camp, we ventured out and went to a local farm and farmstand. There we got to see some of the crops growing and T got to browse through all sorts of produce.
There’s something special about showing children where food comes from. We’re lucky to live in a very agriculturally rich part of the state where there are several farms within easy driving distance.
Seeing crops and livestock grown on a farm provides a different perspective than even the little vegetable and herb garden we keep in our backyard. It’s also a wonderful way to encourage children to try something different.
On this day, after plenty of browsing, T decided that she wanted to bring home a head of kale. But what to do with it?
Well, the successful answer was: make some crispy kale chips!
Crispy Kale Chips Recipe
Crispy Kale Chips Recipe
This crispy kale chips recipe is so easy a 5-year-old can make it...no really! Take a look at how we're encouraging healthy cooking with kids by a trip to the market and this tasty recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 - 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 head of Kale
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
- Thoroughly wash and dry the kale. (Kids love to use salad spinners, but I prefer sandwiching the individual leaves between paper towels)
- Remove the tough ribs from the kale leaves and tear the leaves into pieces, approximately the size of the palm of your child's hand. Place torn leaves in a large bowl.
- When all the leaves are in the bowl, add olive oil 1/2 tablespoon at a time, gently tossing to ensure that the leaves are fully covered, but not too damp.
- Sprinkle generously with sea salt and gently toss again.
- Spread kale leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning leaves over after 10 minutes.
- When chips are crispy, remove from oven and let cool before eating.
Notes
- Make sure the leaves are completely dry. Kids love to use salad spinners, though I prefer gently pressing the leaves between sheets of paper towels.
- This is one of the few recipes where I don't recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment or foil. Using a liner will trap any excess moisture between the leaves, resulting in a hot pile of mush instead of crispy kale chips.
- A single head of kale will probably take 3 or 4 baking sheets/rotations in the oven.
- Don't be tempted to pile the leaves high in order to save time. Crowding the leaves will just cause them to steam, and they won't get crispy.
- Make sure you use a good quality salt on your kale chips. We used pink Himalayan sea salt, but ground Kosher salt would work well too.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Tips for Making Kale Chips:
- Make sure the leaves are completely dry. Kids love to use salad spinners, though I prefer gently pressing the leaves between sheets of paper towels.
- This is one of the few recipes where I don’t recommend lining your baking sheet with parchment or foil. Using a liner will trap any excess moisture between the leaves, resulting in a hot pile of mush instead of crispy kale chips.
- A single head of kale will probably take 3 or 4 baking sheets/rotations in the oven. Don’t be tempted to pile the leaves high in order to save time. Crowding the leaves will just cause them to steam, and they won’t get crispy.
- Make sure you use a good quality salt on your kale chips. We used pink Himalayan sea salt, but ground Kosher salt would work well too.
Now, It’s Your Turn
Do you have a farmer’s market near you? Take your little one with you and head on out. Grab a head of kale and make both memories and healthy snacks together with this crispy kale chips recipe.
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Jen says
This looks amazingly simple! I had no idea it was that easy! Thanks for sharing, I need to make these STAT!
Leslie says
It really is simple. The hardest part is just making sure the leaves are dry enough and getting the right balance of salt.
Tamara says
Best way to eat kale, I think! I lost my taste for it while pregnant with Scarlet and to delve back into the world of kale, I first had these. I think it was at a party. I haven’t really perfected them myself, but I will!
Leslie says
Oh those pregnancy cravings really do hold on, don’t they? I couldn’t eat bell peppers for years after having T.
Nina says
I think I know now why my kale chips were so messed up—I don’t think I dried them well. I tried making these once and they didn’t turn out well at all! Thanks for the tips!
Leslie says
It’s so important to make sure that the leaves are completely dry and that they’re not overcrowded. Those are two easy ways to ruin kale chips.
Nellie says
what an awesome and healthy snack!! I have saved an pinned!! I know my boys will love it. I thought about you on Sunday when I invited them in the kitchen with me to learn the basics of cooking meat.
Leslie says
Awww, yay! That you thought of us brings a huge smile to my face. There’s still more to come on resources and more recipes to try, so stay tuned!
Jenny @ Unremarkable Files says
That’s funny, my daughter was just asking me about kale chips, of all things. She had some friend at school who was saying how good they were.
Leslie says
T just loves them because we make them with plenty of salt! ?
Lee Orlian says
This is wonderful! I enjoy cooking with my daughters. They have fun and they learn how to take good care of themselves! Thank you for posting this!
Leslie says
It’s always fun when the kids get involved in the kitchen…even though it can sometimes be a bit more stress (read: mess). Thanks for stopping by!
Katelynn says
I received a dehydrator for Christmas and am looking forward to trying kale in it to see the comparison.
#sundaylinkparty
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
I love Kale chips and I love that you got a little one involved in this! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
candy says
My kids grew up in the kitchen helping and now the grandkids get to help. Makes them want to eat what they help make. Found you on Over the Moon Link Party.
Michele Morin says
I made these last summer with fresh kale from my garden. Delicious!
Corina Blum says
I’m always trying to think of ways to get my picky 5 year old to eat more vegetables – this is definitely something I’d love to try with her!
Louise (Cooking with Kids) says
I absolutely love this post. It’s great that your children are so into leaning all about food. I bought some kale on the weekend but had no idea what to do with it. Thanks for the idea
Kristin @ Peppermints and Cherries says
A friend recently told me how delicious kale chips taste! Pinned for when I get brave enough to try!
Teresa says
I’ve never made kale chips before, but it looks really easy. Thank you for sharing the instructions at The Really crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Jessica says
I absolutely love kale chips. They’re becoming a great evening snack in our household – way more healthier than crisps! x
https://www.jesseatsandtravels.com
Kerrie @travelswithmum.com says
Really need to try this… I have never had much success but with your recipe maybe I will!
Leanna says
I have made these before and enjoy them but the recipe I had cooked them much hotter. I am going to try them at your temperature, I bet its better. Thank you.
JamiE says
I make these often, since my picky eater son loves them!! Any chance I get to throw in some healthy, and I’m on it!! 🙂
Emma @ FreeFromFarmhouse says
I’ve been meaning to try kale chps for ages and have a big bag in the firdge so I’ve bookmarked this to try at the weekend.
Amy - The Rolling Baby says
I must confess that I don’t think I’ve ever tried kale! #fortheloveofBLOG
Vanessa says
Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. You are one of our this weekend features. Thank you for sharing.
FLORENCE says
You are kidding me! I’m impressed that T wanted to bring home a head of kale! I love kale myself, but getting my granddaughter to even sample something like that would take a policeman, LOL. I’m sure taking them to the farm to see the whole process is fascinating. Wouldn’t mind doing that myself! I’m betting those chips are delicious! Thanks for the tip on not piling them high to make the process go faster. That would be me. I pinned it!
Roseann Hampton says
I have kale growing in the backyard. I’ve never tried it this way! Looks like a great recipe to try! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from http://www.thisautoimmunelife.com
Sheri says
Cool. Definitely worth a try. Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Hope to see you next week.
Two Chicks and a Mom/Donna says
This is a great recipe and one I am sure kids will love! Thanks for sharing at Party in Your PJs!
Kippi says
Yum, I just pinned this recipe. I will be making these tomorrow. Have a great week, Kippi #kippiathome
frugal hausfrau says
I gotta admit I can’t do the kale chips but I do something kind of like this and drop it in a jar anytime I think my kale is getting wilted and needs a save. Then I use it in my green smoothies! 🙂 Happy Fiesta Friday!
Mollie
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
I make kale chips at least once a week. That’s how much we like them, and they’re very addictive!