Easy-cheesy kale chips

Easy-Cheesy Kale Chips

Samantha Haentjens
Kale is an amazing leafy green containing a variety of nutrients, and what better way to enjoy a leafy green than as a crispy chip? Kale chips are great on their own as an afternoon snack or can add a crunch to your favorite salad.
These easy-cheesy kale chips take less than 30 minutes to make, start to finish - and only 5 of those minutes are hands-on. You likely have most of the ingredients in your pantry, with the exception of fresh kale, a lemon, and nutritional yeast. You can find nutritional yeast at most grocery stores in the baking section or near the bulk section, but if you don’t have it - fear not! You can still make kale chips with the other spices in this recipe, or make your own with your favorite spice combinations.
Course Snack
Servings 3 - 5 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces kale pieces
  • juice from ½ lemon⁠
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast ⁠
  • 1 tsp garlic powder⁠
  • 1 tsp onion powder ⁠
  • pinch salt optional⁠
  • 1/2 tsp paprika powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne powder for spice!

Optional add-ins

    Instructions
     

    • Pre-heat the oven to 350° F ⁠
    • Line a baking sheet with a slip-mat or parchment paper⁠
    • Wash the kale and remove the hard stems - tear the leaves into large pieces, then dry ⁠
    • Mix all your wet and dry ingredients together in a large bowl⁠
    • Toss the kale leaves in the mixture and give a light massage - just to coat, not to make the leaves soft!⁠
    • Spread the leaves in a single layer on the baking sheet - overlapping leaves won’t get crunchy!⁠
    • Bake for 15 - 20 mins, they’re ready when the ends start to brown! Keep an eye on the time, as ovens vary.⁠
    • Get snacking! Best enjoyed right away.⁠

    Notes

    • Make sure you watch them while they bake, you don’t want them to burn.
    • Get creative and mix up your add ins and flavors!

    Samantha Haentjens is a long-time plant enthusiast working with Rooted Santa Barbara as a Steering Committee member and marketing consultant.