Holly's Homestead — Recipe
Kale Chips
A crispy snack made for a homegrown kale glut
DIFFICULTY Easy
COURSE Snack
CUISINE Australian
COURSE Snack
CUISINE Australian
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Serves
4
Freezes well
No
A batch this size may need an extra 5-10 minutes of simmering to thicken properly - there's more liquid to reduce relative to the pot's surface area.
01Ingredients
- 200g kale, stems removed, torn into pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
02Method
- Preheat oven to 150C. Wash kale thoroughly and dry completely - important for crispiness.
- Tear leaves into bite-sized pieces, discarding tough stems.
- Toss with olive oil, massaging it into the leaves to coat evenly.
- Spread in a single layer on a baking tray, without overcrowding.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until crisp but not browned. Season with salt immediately after baking.
03Notes & substitutions
- Curly kale gives the most classic crunch, but any variety works.
- Try nutritional yeast instead of paprika for a cheesy, savoury flavour.
- A pinch of chilli flakes or garlic powder both work well as alternative seasonings.
- Vegetarian and vegan as written.
04Common mistakes
- Not drying the leaves properly — any lingering moisture steams the kale instead of crisping it; dry thoroughly with a salad spinner or clean towel.
- Overcrowding the tray — leaves need space to crisp evenly, or they steam each other; use two trays if needed.
- Baking too hot or too long — kale can go from crisp to burnt within a minute once it's ready; watch closely near the end.
05Storage & leftovers
Pantry
Airtight container, up to 2 days, though best eaten the day they're made.
Freezer
Not recommended - kale chips lose their crispness completely.
Re-crisping
A few minutes in a low oven can revive slightly soft chips.