Purple Kale Chips
(This recipe works with both red/purple kale OR green kale)
Health food trends have always been funny to me. An entire culture becomes obsessed with a certain food because of its health benefits. We eat so much of it, work it into our meals, snacks, recipes, and even store bought packaged foods. But what happens in a few year? We forget about it, and we move on to the next big trending health food of them moment.
But food stays JUST as healthy, even when it isn’t trending anymore! So, let’s talk about kale. I used to eat it daily, and many others did too! Kale and fruit smoothies, kale chips, sauteed kale, kale quinoa salads, and more. But then, one day, I just stopped buying it as often. Did this happen to anyone else? I get it, we’re moving away from the “superfood” mentally and we realize that a variety of foods with different health benefits are much better than sticking to one “superfood.” But, that doesn’t mean we should eliminate these past favorites from our diets. Let’s keep kale in the rotation!
Bring in Kale Chips!
Unlike regular chips made from potatoes, kale retains its a lot of its nutritional value when its baked into a chip! Kale chips are my absolute favorite way to eat kale because it feels and tastes like a snack food. I love that I can get an entire serving of leafy greens while crunching on chips.
Purple Vs. Green Kale
Both red kale and green kale are very healthy for our bodies. Red kale contains anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that can protect against cancers and diseases. Overall, red kale as higher antioxidant levels than green kale does. This helps our immune system, eye sight, is anti-inflammatory, and more!
Why Should We Eat Kale?
- It is high in vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, K, and B6. Its high in Manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium.
- It contains many antioxidants that protect against diseases.
- Red/purple kale is high in beta-carotene which supports eye health.
- The high vitamin C helps the immune system.
- Kale is high in fiber.
- Many more benefits!
A Note Before Baking…
Kale chips can burn easily! Some recipes say to cook for 10 minutes while others say 25. The time it takes to cook the kale until it’s crispy is HIGHLY dependent on your oven, the thickness of your kale, and the type of kale. Watch. Your. Kale. In the oven!
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give me a rating and a comment!
Purple Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of kale wash and dry completely
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt or other seasoning, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C)
- Make sure your kale is washed and dried completely before continuing with the recipe, or they won't crisp.
- Cut or tear off the stems and any large veins.
- Add dry kale to a bowl. Toss with olive oil.
- If seasoning (I recommend a very small amount of salt, at least) add seasoning and toss.
- Lay kale flat on a parchment lined or greased baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes, watching the kale chips closely after 10 minutes to ensure they do not burn.
- Cool completely before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you can’t find red/purple kale, this recipe will work perfectly for regular green curly kale.
- Your kale might be done in 10-12 minutes, or it might be done in 22-25 minutes. You will want to watch your kale closely after 10 minutes to check for burning.
- Kale does not lose its all of its nutrients when baked into chips! So, eating kale in this form will pack a big nutrient punch.
- This recipe is safe for babies and toddlers.