Parmesan Kale Chips With Garlic
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This oven baked parmesan kale chips recipe results in a crispy, addictive snack that’s guilt-free. Homemade baked kale chips are the perfect healthy alternative to potato chips for kids and adults alike!
If you’re not the biggest fan of kale, parmesan kale chips may be just the thing you need.
I’ve gotten my picky eater family to go from a place of not even knowing what kale was, to loving it in the recipes I make at home (little victory dance for me! 🙂 ) Providing them with healthy snacks that are full of vitamins and nutrients is a big win!
Crispy kale chips are the perfect guilt-free treat because they have the wonderful crunch and flavor of a traditional chip, but are much healthier for you. Plus, making your own kale chips at home makes it a lot easier to eat kale on a regular basis!
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If you eat a handful of baked kale chips, you can end up eating a whole bunch of kale without even realizing it.
I personally love garlic and parmesan kale chips, because there is nothing like that combination of flavors. So that’s why I went with this recipe!
But if you are dairy-free or vegan, you can do garlic + nutritional yeast which is also delicious.
They only take a total time of 20 minutes to make, and this nutritious snack can last you for a week if you keep them in an airtight container! Although I usually will end up eating this whole bowlful in one sitting 🙂
👩🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy Snack
- Quick and Easy
- Full of Vitamins and Nutrients
- Vegan Option
- Gluten-Free
- Easy Recipe
- Best Parmesan Kale Chip Recipe Ever!
🥘 Ingredients
- Kale Leaves: I like using curly kale because it has a great texture for this parmesan kale chips recipe. Note: curly kale does have tough stems that is important to remove before baking the kale.
- Olive Oil: Critical for making your kale chips crispy! You can also use olive oil spray.
- Garlic Powder: For flavor! You can also use fresh garlic if you like.
- Sea Salt: Also for flavor! Don’t leave this out – add more or less to taste. Add black pepper or cayenne pepper for a bit of a kick.
- Parmesan Cheese: Because there is no better flavor combination than garlic and parmesan! If you are dairy free or vegan, use nutritional yeast (or even sesame seeds would taste great too!)
🍽 Equipment
For this garlic kale chips recipe, all you need is your oven! Some people use a dehydrator but baked kale chips are just as good…actually way better if you ask me!
- Large Baking Sheet / Baking Tray
- Salad Spinner
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife
📖 Variations
Oh I could get lost in all the delicious kale chip seasonings and pairings there are, but I’ll do my best to stay focused 🙂
Let’s talk about the more obvious ones first, like ranch.
#1 | Ranch flavored kale chips is super easy to mix up. Just toss about a half teaspoon each of dill, chives, onion, garlic, and salt with one bunch of kale and bake!
#2 | Another great seasoning for kale chips is coconut curry. You’ll need about 1 tablespoon of shredded coconut, preferably unsweetened. Mix that with a half teaspoon of salt of curry powder.
# 3 | And finally, let’s discuss the infamous Dorito seasoning. Yep, you heard that right. You can make Dorito-flavored kale chips! For this spice mix, you’ll need about 2 tablespoons of cheese powder (or nutritional yeast if dairy free). Then mix that with a quarter teaspoon each of onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and chili powder.
In all honesty, it’s so much fun to experiment with different baked kale chip recipes, so try inventing your own!
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Rinse kale in a salad spinner and make sure it is completely dry.
Step 2: Remove dark ribs and chop kale into bite-size pieces.
Step 3: In a small bowl mix olive oil, garlic powder, and kosher salt.
Step 4: Place kale in a large bowl and drizzle in olive oil mixture. Toss thoroughly to combine, using hands to distribute the oil and seasonings evenly.
Note: for the parmesan, you can add it before or after baking. If you add it before baking, toss the kale with the olive oil, garlic, salt and parmesan together – then bake (the parmesan will get slightly browned and crispy with the chip). If adding it after baking, add it right after you pull the kale chips out of the oven so the cheese will melt a bit on the chips (but the cheese will stay creamy and moist). If you’re using nutritional yeast, add it before baking with the olive oil mixture.
Step 5: Spread the kale over 2 large sheet pans lined with parchment paper in a single layer, ensuring the kale touches as little as possible to help it crisp while baking.
Step 6: Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the pans around and lightly toss/stir kale to ensure even baking. Bake for 5-10 minutes more if needed, until kale is crispy and very slightly golden brown (depending on how much moisture is in your kale, you may need a longer baking time). Watch closely as it can burn easily. Remove already crispy kale if needed, for them not to burn while the rest is still baking.
Step 7: Remove from oven and let cool slightly – chips will crisp up even more once out of the oven. Enjoy immediately! Best when fresh.
❓Recipe FAQs
Are homemade kale chips healthy?
Absolutely! It’s nothing but kale after all – with just olive oil and a few spices added. Kale is incredible nutrient-dense, and fortunately, it retains that nutritional value when baked.
You’ll get your daily values of several vitamins from this recipe. Besides being high in fiber, kale chips are rich in antioxidants and a good, snackable source of vitamins A, K, C, E, B, and Calcium.
Will picky kids eat kale chips?
You might be surprised, but this is a great recipe for kids! It basically tastes like a potato chip, which makes it a perfect healthy snack for kids. If you have picky eaters who refuse to eat veggies, try this recipe as a way for them to get some greens!
What type of kale is best for chips?
Flat-leafed varieties of kale are especially suited for baked kale chips. I like Curly kale as it has a much heartier texture that’s more conducive to making chips.
Why do my kale chips get soggy?
The main reason you might end up with soggy kale chips is they aren’t completely dry before they are baked! It’s very important to let your kale dry completely after washing and before adding the olive oil. If any water remains, it will turn to steam in the oven and leave behind a sad soggy mess.
You also want to make sure to bake it on a low temperature for a long time, to dry the kale out completely.
Lastly, when baking this kale chip recipe in an oven, you want to avoid flavoring it with any liquids like hot sauce or vinegar. That’s actually why I didn’t include those types of flavoring agents because they make chips soggy.
How long do kale chips last?
When stored at room temperature (which is best), kale chips last about 3 days. But really, this garlic and parmesan kale chip recipe doesn’t stick around long if you know what I mean 🙂
How do you keep kale chips crispy?
The key to crispy kale chips in your oven is to bake them low and slow. They’ll be crispy right out of the oven and ready to be enjoyed. If you have leftovers, and for whatever reason they lose their crispiness, just toss them on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 5 minutes – just enough to crisp them up.
❄️ How To Store
Before storing, it’s very important to let baked kale chips cool completely.
Unlike fresh kale, you do NOT want to store kale chips in the refrigerator. Instead, place them in a paper bag and store at room temperature. Avoid plastic bags as they retain lingering moisture, and moisture is the enemy of a crispy chips.
Paper, on the other hand, allows for air circulation and helps keep kale chips crisp for up to 3 days.
If you happen to live somewhere that’s particularly humid, ditch the paper bag and opt for an airtight container with about half a cup of uncooked rice in it. It absorbs moisture quite nicely!
💭 Expert Tips
- For best results, make sure to remove the ribs from the kale before you chop it up. The stalk of most kale varieties is super tough and doesn’t bake up as well. Just use the leaves for this kale chip recipe!
- For the parmesan, you can add it before or after baking. If you add it before baking, toss the kale with the olive oil, garlic, salt and parmesan together – then bake. When done this way, the parmesan will get slightly browned and even crispy along with the chip! Note: if you are using nutritional yeast, always add it before baking.
- The best way to add the parmesan is after baking. Add it right after you pull the parmesan kale chips out of the oven so the cheese will melt a bit on the chips, yet still stay creamy and moist.
- Make sure you massage the kale thoroughly with the olive oil mixture before baking it. This ensures all the leaves get coated evenly!
- For a perfectly crispy chip, patience is key — bake the kale chips “low and slow” — on a low temperature for a longer time to ensure they dry out completely.
- Place chips on a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
I hope you enjoy this kale chip recipe made in the oven as much as my family does!
🥗 More Delicious Ways To Eat Kale!
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📋 Recipe Card
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Parmesan Kale Chips
These oven baked parmesan kale chips are the perfect guilt-free snack because they have the crunch and flavor of traditional chips but are much healthier for you! Plus, this easy kale chip recipe can be made in your oven – no dehydrator necessary!
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 40kcal
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of kale
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil more if needed
- ½ tsp garlic powder or 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, for a vegan option
- ¼ tsp Sea salt more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F
- Rinse kale in a salad spinner and make sure it is completely dry.
- Remove dark ribs and chop kale into bite sized pieces.
- In a small bowl mix olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Add kale to a large mixing bowl and drizzle in olive oil mixture. Toss thoroughly to combine, using hands to distribute the oil and seasonings evenly.
- Note: for the parmesan, you can add it before or after baking. If you add it before baking, toss the kale with the olive oil, garlic, salt and parmesan together – then bake (the parmesan will get slightly browned and crispy with the chip). If adding it after baking, add it right after you pull the kale chips out of the oven so the cheese will melt a bit on the chips (but the cheese will stay creamy and moist). If you're using nutritional yeast, add it before baking with the olive oil mixture.
- Spread the kale over 2 large baking sheets, ensuring the kale touches as little as possible to help it crisp while baking.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the pans around and lightly toss/stir kale to ensure even baking. Bake for 10-20 minutes more, or until kale is crispy and very slightly golden brown (depending on how much moisture is in your kale, you may need a longer baking time). Watch closely as it can burn easily. Remove already crispy kale if needed, for them not to burn while the rest is still baking.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly – chips will crisp up even more once out of the oven.
- Enjoy immediately! Best when fresh. Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 2-3 days.
Notes
Tips for Making The Best Parmesan Kale Chips
- Make sure to remove the ribs from the kale before you chop it up. The stalk of most kale varieties is super tough and doesn’t bake up as well. Just use the leaves for this kale chip recipe!
- For the parmesan, you can add it before or after baking. If you add it before baking, toss the kale with the olive oil, garlic, salt and parmesan together – then bake. When done this way, the parmesan will get slightly browned and even crispy along with the chip! Note: if you are using nutritional yeast, always add it before baking.
- If you prefer to add the parmesan after baking, add it right after you pull the baked kale chips out of the oven so the cheese will melt a bit on the chips, yet still stay creamy and moist.
- Make sure you massage the kale thoroughly with the olive oil mixture before baking it. This ensures all the leaves get coated evenly!
- For a perfectly crispy chip, patience is key — bake the kale chips “low and slow” — on a low temperature for a longer time to ensure they dry out completely.
Nutrition
Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g
Thank you! These were prefect for my 20 month old :). He loved them!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that! My daughter loves these too!
This sounds so good! I usually make my chips the standard, plain way- baked with olive oil and sea salt. However, I’ve really been wanting to try a different flavor and this looks tasty.
Yay! Can’t wait for you to try this recipe Dylan – I’m sure you will love it!
These look delicious. I was surfing the internet looking for a healthy alternative to garlic bread. I am making Beef Stroganoff tonight where i substitute the noodles with cauliflower and this will make the perfect companion piece!
Thanks Bob!! I’m sure you will love these chips! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this….I have never eaten kale but I’m on a health journey and clearly potatoe chips are out from here on in. I will be so happy if the kale chip is as good as everyone is saying!!!! I’m doing so well on my healthy eating plan and I’m so excited to find new and better ways with food!
Thanks for the recipe xxx
Hi Kiki! I can’t wait to hear how you like this recipe — kale is one of my favorite ingredients and this is a great way to eat clean and get some extra veggies without trying! 🙂
I just made these and I like them but they stuck to the sheet. How do you get them not to stick? Was I supposed to use parchment paper?
Hi Stacey! Yes parchment paper would help to make sure they don’t stick, also if you spray your baking sheet evenly with olive oil spray, that should help it to not stick as well. Hope that helps! Glad you liked the taste of these chips though!
It helps a lot to semi-saute the garlic in the a partial portion of the oil, let it cool, then add it to the kale. brings out much more of the garlic. i only needed 2 cloves and the kale was just bursting with transfused garlicky flavor. only adds 5 minutes to the prep.
Oh that’s a great tip, thanks Scotty!
Looks amazing Anjali.. can’t wait to try.. I was going to make regular Kale Chips, but I think I’ll add the garlic and parm, this is exactly how I make roasted broccoli. 🙂
Thank you so much!! Oh definitely add the garlic & parm — adds such a richness of flavor to the kale chips! 🙂 Let me know how it turns out!
made these for the first time today they were good but i had to scrap like half of it cause they overbaked and became really bitter but they ones that didn’t were delicious
Hi Erika! Sorry to hear that some of these came out burned! You might want to check your oven’s temperature calibration – because it sounds like it unevenly baked the kale chips. Also next time, try baking it at a lower heat and continually check it – that way you’ll be able to guarantee that they won’t burn!
I hear you about eating the whole bowl in one sitting! Once you start, its hard to stop eating them 🙂 I usually make mine with salt and vinegar and they are delicious. I’ll have to try them with parmesan next time.
Haha absolutely 🙂 Love the idea of making them with salt & vinegar – I will try that next time! Let me know how you like the parmesan on your next batch!
LOVE kale chips. I made them for the first time a month or so ago – and my husband and I really did eat 2 bunches of kale in one sitting. 🙂
Haha! That is so great Parita – isn’t it wonderful that you can be proud of eating a whole bowl-full of kale chips since they’re so good for you? 🙂 I’m sure you will love this recipe when you try it!
yum! what great flavors to add to kale chips!
Thanks Elizabeth! Enjoy! 🙂
This sounds wonderful! I have never tried kale chips but am very tempted to do so now! It is wonderful that they are a healthy vegetable. In addition, it is good they are so high in different vitamins and calcium. I have a hard time not eating chips so this might be the PERFECT substitution for me! Thanks for the great article!
Thanks Lauren!! You should definitely try this recipe if you are looking for a chip substitution – you can eat as many as of these as you want and still feel like you’re eating healthily!
While I love kale, I have had the hardest time finding a kale chip recipe I actually really like. This one sounds GREAT! I like the idea of using the parmesan. Did you sprinkle that on before baking and if so, how much did you use?? THANKS! 🙂
Thanks so much! I like adding the parmesan too – it just gives it that little something extra to make it delicious 🙂 I used 1/4 cup total (just added that as a note to the recipe). And honestly, you can add the cheese before or after baking. If you add it before baking, the parmesan will get slightly browned and crispy with the chip. If you add it after baking, then the parmesan will melt slightly but will still retain that fresh feeling. I like adding it right after baking because I feel like it makes the kale chips “cheesier.” Hope that helps!
Love, LOVE kale chips! Such a fabulous easy recipe to try. You have a lovely space here. So glad I found it.
Awwww thank you so much Sharmila! I’m sure you will love this recipe – it is so nice to meet you! 🙂
Sounds interesting! I wonder if I can get my kids to try it? Love the blog! Looks great!
Thank you so much!! You have to let me know if your kids like this recipe! 🙂
Okay, I’m going to try this one more time. Mine came out kind of bitter tasting. I’ll see if I have more luck with your recipe. Everyone I know who has had these chips loves them, and I’m a big chip and cracker fiend. I’d love to find a healthy alternative.
I think if you add enough salt/garlic it should counteract the bitterness. Let me know how it turns out for you!
I’ve been using garlic powder instead of garlic, I think that helps cut down the bitterness
Oh that’s an interesting tip! Thanks for sharing!