This is a variation of our kale chips base recipe. We start with the base and add some spice for extra flavor. If you are looking for a crunchy salty snack or side dish, but don’t want to sacrifice nutrition, try these spicy kale chips. Enzo and Austin, Chef V’s kiddos, can eat a whole head of kale when cooked in chip form!
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up your Kitchen Game
To learn a speedy way to remove kale leaves from the stem, check out this video:
Plus, we’ve got an awesome Knife Skills 101 course to help you slice and dice like a pro (for other recipes)!
Culinary Tips for Delicious Spicy Kale Chips
Once you’ve mastered the art of making kale chips at home, you’ll never be tempted by the store-bought kind again!
The key to perfectly crispy kale chips? Make sure those leaves are completely dry before baking—otherwise, you’ll end up with a soggy snack. And let’s be real, no one’s excited about soggy kale chips.
Remember: low and slow is the name of the game! While high-heat roasting works wonders for most veggies, kale chips thrive at a lower temperature. This gentle approach keeps them from burning and turning bitter—because no one wants to snack on burnt kale (trust us, it’s not appetizing).
If you’re feeling adventurous with additional spices, whisk them into the oil in a large bowl before tossing in the kale. This simple step ensures every leaf is packed with flavor and seasoned to perfection!
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Kale: use green or purple curly kale or lacinato kale.
- Oil: use avocado, canola, or extra virgin olive oil. They are all heart healthy!
- Smoked Paprika: sub regular paprika, but you will miss out on that smoky depth of flavor.
- Granulated Garlic: substitute ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
- Cayenne Powder: for a spicy kick! Adjust to your heat preference or swap in some red pepper flakes.
We love buying our spices from the Spice House. They have great quality, variety, and flavor!
Recipe Variations: Make it Your Own!
You can vary this recipe by adding additional spices. Create your own signature flavor!
As always, use our base recipe as a guide, check out our variation ideas, and then adjust to YOUR taste!
Equipment Recommendations: The Essentials
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Large Bowl – for spicing up the kale!
- Measuring Spoons – precision makes a difference.
- Spatula – for scraping up every last drop of flavor.
- 13 x 18 Baking Sheet – no overcrowding, please!
- Airtight Storage Containers – for leftovers (if you actually have any!)
Want to level up your kitchen game? Check out our Essential Equipment Guide for all the must-have tools!
Are spicy kale chips healthy?
This spicy kale chips recipe is packed with healthful ingredients! Kale, healthy oils, and spices provide your body with loads of nutritional benefits.
Kale
Kale is a member of the cruciferous vegetable family. It is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that promote health and help fight diseases, especially cancer and heart disease.
Healthy Oils
This recipe can be made with olive, avocado, or canola oil. All of these oils contain healthy monounsaturated fats which promote heart health and healthy blood flow. Canola oil is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Oil (fat) also helps your body absorb the nutrients in kale.
Spices
Spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and support overall health. Plus, they’re a great way to add bold flavor without relying on extra salt.
Learn more about the health benefits of spices in this article, and check out our ingredient guide to help you purchase the best ingredients!
Spicy Kale Chips Serving Suggestions
Eat crispy kale chips on their own for a tasty snack, or serve alongside beef and bean burgers or a healthy sandwich.
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
Storage Tips
Store kale chips in an airtight container for up to 1 week for best quality.
Want more delicious vegetable recipes? Cover that plate in color!
Try out these favorites!
Lemon Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan
Sweet and Spicy Sweet Potatoes
Share the Love – Leave us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we actually encourage you to tweak our recipes. Not because they’re in need of change, haha, but because we believe one of the secrets to success in the kitchen is cooking to YOUR taste. Make the recipe, leave us a review, and tell us if you made any changes! We love hearing how you’ve made it your own.
Spicy Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 head of kale (~½ lb)
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Separate kale leaves and wash thoroughly. Shake to dry.
- Remove leaves from stem and tear into ~1” pieces. Dry leaves using a salad spinner or spread on towels to dry.
- Once leaves are dry, preheat oven to 275ºF.
- Combine oil with spices and salt in a medium bowl. Add kale and toss to coat.
- Spread kale out on sheet pans in a single layer. Use two pans if needed. Do not overcrowd the pan or the kale will steam rather than crisp up! Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp. Enjoy!
