Kale chips have become one of the most popular snacks for health enthusiasts or even for the passionate foodie. Considering how healthy these are, it is not surprising that kale chips form a part of most dehydrator cookbooks.
Using a dehydrator to make kale chips is energy-efficient, cost-effective and good for your health too. It is so easy to make this healthy and nutritious snack using a dehydrator.
Whether you grow or buy organic kale, making chips as an alternative to salty potato chips is so easy, thanks to the food dehydrator. This article covers 50 plus amazing recipes for kale chips that are flavorful, healthy and nutritious.
What Are Dehydrated Kale Chips?
In case you’ve never heard of kale before, it’s a very popular green leaf vegetable. It becomes to the botanical group Brassica oleracea and is a member of the cabbage family. Leaves of the kale can be purple or green depending on the variety. Leaves may be either smooth in appearance or curly.
Kale is the most sought after vegetable because it has a super nutritional value and vitamins A, B6, C, K, E and folate, manganese, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, potassium, calcium, pantothenic acid and phosphorous.Brimming with potent antioxidants, it fends off diseases like cancer caused by free radical damage and oxidative stress.
This wonder vegetable even helps in weight reduction, and lowering of the cholesterol. Keeping the power of the kale in mind, here are the best recipes for dehydrated kale chips. These dehydrated kale chips taste better, are cheaper, and have greater nutritional value than store bought items. Economy, health, nutrition and efficiency are some of the reasons dehydrated kale chips are the best option.
Dried greens can be made into delicious chips ranging from cheesy to nacho, spicy, and even ranch. The best part is that dehydrated kale chips acquire a cheesy flavor without a hint of dairy. A substance called nutritional yeast forms the core of the recipes for kale chips and produces a cheesy flavor with the addition of just some more seasonings.
With leafy green curly leaves, kale becomes a crisp snack when dehydrated. The nutritional value of the dehydrated kale chips is far more than the regular potato chip.
Kale chips are made from leaves of the plant and made into bite-sized portions. With less calorific value, low amounts of sodium and fat, and huge amounts of minerals and vitamins, kale chips are the ideal snack for the health-conscious as well as those trying to lose weight.
Nutrient Value of Dehydrated Kale Chips
Kale is a leafy green veggie so obviously even when it is dehydrated preserving its nutrients and made into chips, it will be as nutritious. By drying and making the leaves crisp properly while dehydrating, the high level of fat and saturated fat associated with traditional potato chips can be avoided. By using natural seasoning and placing kale chips in paper towels after dehydrating, excess sodium can be avoided. Choose healthy natural flavorings and seasonings such as cayenne or red bell pepper.
Each average serving of dehydrated kale chips contains 50 calories. This is just 2.5% of the required 2000 calorie intake in a day. Dehydrated kale chips offer 10 grams of carbs as opposed to starchy, carb-rich potato chips that weigh around 225 grams in carb content.
Dehydrated kale chips are also high in dietary fiber, which increases the feeling of satiation and is difficult for the body to break down, thereby promoting efficient gastrointestinal processes and promoting a sensation of fullness.
Protein-rich kale chips are high in no-cholesterol, healthy fats. Kale chips, when dehydrated, pack 2 mg of iron, 769 micro mg of vitamin A and 447 mg of potassium for the best results.
Iron content helps in preserving the degree of oxygenation in the body and iron content in the blood. Potassium strengthens the immune system and vitamin A is good for the skin, eyes, and bones.
Trace amounts of other vitamins and nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium present in the dehydrated kale chips are an added bonus. Each small serving of dehydrated homemade kale chips has just 43 mg of sodium which is as little as 2 percent of the 2300 mg limit, as opposed to super salty conventional potato chips.
| Nutrition Facts For a Serving Size of 1 oz (28g) | |
|---|---|
| Calories | 128 |
| Calories from Fat | 70.2 (54.9%) |
| Total Fat | 7.8g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.8g |
| Sodium | 5% |
| Potassium | 439 mg |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Sugar | 1.3 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g (13%) |
| Protein | 6.2g |
| Vitamins and Minerals | Value In 28g of Dehydrated Kale Chips |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 9040.1 IU |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.4 mg (108%) |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.8 μg (117%) |
| Vitamin C | 75.9 mg (127%) |
| Vitamin K | 482.7 μg (403%) |
| Calcium | 100 mg (10%) |
| Iron | 2.4 mg (30%) |
| Magnesium | 84.3 mg (25%) |
| Phosphorus | 138.9 mg (14%) |
| Zinc | 1.4 mg (10%) |
| Thiamine | 17.9 mg (1195%) |
| Riboflavin | 16 mg (941%) |
| Niacin | 10.2 mg (52%) |
Benefits of Making Kale Chips in a Dehydrator
If you want to opt for a healthy snack, kale chips are the right choice. They come with a lot of health benefits, which further increase thanks to the use of a dehydrator for processing.
The dehydrated kale chips retain their nutritional content, positively contributing to the body’s health, whether it is in terms of weight loss or battling cholesterol.
Made without unhealthy oils, dehydrated kale is low in fat and calorific value. It lowers cholesterol and saturated fats, making it ideal for good heart health.
Dehydrated kale chips have monounsaturated fats and phenolic compounds. It is perfect for lowering bad cholesterol and raising HDL or good cholesterol.
Excellent for eyesight, one cup of dehydrated kale chips contains 206% of the daily required intake of vitamin A. Beta carotene rich kale chips also guard against macular degeneration, disease, and cataract. Lutein and zeaxanthin are compounds present in dehydrated kale chips which block sun damage on the body.
Dehydrated kale chips high in beta carotene and calcium, vitamins and nutrients are a health food unlike any other. Kale chips are more popular when dehydrated because the ability to run the food at a low temperature ensures raw food can easily retain its nutritional value.
The low heat protects the nutrients during the dehydrating process. It also lowers the chances of burning the kale chips, as opposed to baking. The dehydrator works efficiently anywhere between 118-125 degrees F and the drying process takes 12 hours. Making kale chips in a food dehydrator overnight is perfect for health-conscious individuals who seek nourishing foods.
50+ Dehydrated Kale Chip Recipes
For the most delicious dehydrated kale chip recipes, take a look below. Each of these recipes is hand picked for their easy directions and novel ingredients. Total preparation time includes time taken to dehydrate the kale chips as well.
Recipe 1: Kale Chips with Cashews and Dried Tomatoes
Preparation Time: 8 hours
This tasty dehydrated kale chip recipe involves adding the flavor of dehydrated tomatoes. The resulting kale chips have an interesting twist in the taste as a result of this. The pleasant nutty flavour of cashews complement the tomato tang. This is a leading kale chip recipe for those who like to experiment with flavors.
Recipe 2: Crispy Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
This homemade kale chips recipe is perfect for those who like nutritious snacks (and even those who don’t!) because the taste is just so amazing that no one can resist these. Save money and your life by switching to these dehydrated crisp kale chips which use olive oil and minimal sea salt.
Recipe 3: Asian Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 12 hours
This richly flavored kale chip recipe is perfect for adults and kids alike. With nutritional yeast added to it, the kale acquires the taste of miso in conjunction with garlic. The kale chips are coated in the seasoning for a flavor you will never forget.
Recipe 4: Cheesy Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 6-12 hours
This vegan kale chip recipe yields crispier, crunchier and tastier alternatives than the potato chip. It is also more nutritious. Enjoy the special cheesy flavor without a hint of real cheese using nutritional yeast.
Recipe 5: Cheesy Kale Chips with Red Bell Pepper
Preparation Time: 6-12 hours
This recipe uses a dehydrator and involves using specialized ingredients like cashews soaked for 2 hours, a red bell pepper, freshly squeezed lemon juice and nutritional yeast to give cheesy flavor. Seasonings added to this chips include onion powder, turmeric and sea salt. So, you can get composite flavors from this dehydrated kale chips recipe.
Recipe 6: Garlic Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
With a twinge of garlic, and a granulated mix of this herb to add depth of flavor at a later stage, this recipe for dehydrated kale chips is distinctive and perfect for those with a tangy palate. Add a flavorful experience to the table and a nutritious snack to your meal.
Recipe 7: Kale Chips with Cinnamon
Preparation Time: 8-10 hours
This is an interesting recipe. While most kale chip recipes try for a salty flavor, this one is sweet. Cinnamon and sugar are added to make the perfect Christmas snack. This dehydrated kale chip recipe does not even use canola oil. The chips have a crisp and pale color as a result of this. There’s lemon juice, cashews and vanilla added to this for a delicious mix.
Recipe 8: Cashew and Roasted Red Pepper Kale
Preparation Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
Kale chips are especially tasty when prepared using this innovative recipe. Cashew and roasted red pepper make this the kale chips you will savor. They are spicy, tangy, thick, crunchy and savory. Bursting with taste, this is one recipe all will ask you for. The kale chips are mixed with pureed roasted red pepper and cashew. Lemon juice adds acidity while nutritional yeast creates that cheesy flavor. This recipe is totally vegan.
Recipe 9: Raw Kale Chips with Garlic and Cashew
Preparation Time: 20 hours 30 minutes
Kale chips with garlic and cashews are more advanced than the average crispy snacks. Add the wonder of cashew and lemon juice and you get a crunchy, taste-filled spicy flavor. Nutritional yeast combines to create the perfect taste without the necessity of adding cheese to the recipe.
Recipe 10: Curry Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 6-10 hours
These kale chips are not just tasty, they have the flavor which is unforgettable! With the kale chips recipe that combines curry and taste, these chips are packed with nutritional benefits. The exotic flair can be added to the kale chips using this recipe. Just opt for this delicious chips for the best results.
Recipe 11: Dehydrated Vegan Cheese and Onion Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 15 hours 50 minutes
This recipe combines cashews, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili flakes for a savory and nutritious flavor. Perfect for those who want a healthier snack with vegan cheese and onion flavor.
Recipe 12: Sweet Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 4-6 hours
A sweet and healthy twist on kale chips, using paprika and orange juice for a delightful snack. Quick and easy to make!
Recipe 13: Siracha Kale Cashew Chips
Preparation Time: 14 hours 15 minutes
Spicy, tangy, and packed with flavor, this recipe combines sriracha, raw cashews, tahini, and toasted red pepper for a unique and bold kale chip experience.
Recipe 14: Kale Chips with Tahini
Preparation Time: 4-6 hours
A simple yet exciting recipe that uses tahini to elevate the flavor of your kale chips, resulting in a delicious and nutritious snack.
Recipe 15: Pizza Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 8-10 hours
A unique, dairy-free, gluten-free, and healthy pizza-flavored kale chip recipe. With lemon juice, fennel, oregano, and crushed red pepper, these chips pack a punch of flavor.
Recipe 16: Sour Cream and Onions Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 8-10 hours
A healthy take on the classic sour cream and onion potato chips, using kale for a lighter, nutrient-packed alternative.
Recipe 17: Sweet and Zesty Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 8-10 hours
A sweet yet zesty combination that makes it unique from other kale chip recipes. Gluten-free, low-carb, and vegan!
Recipe 18: Super Crunchy Nut-Free Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 12 hours
Super crunchy and flavorful, these kale chips are made with sesame seeds, onion, and paprika. Worth the 12-hour dehydration time!
Recipe 19: Sundried Tomato Cheezy Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
These kale chips with sundried tomatoes have great texture and flavor, and are high in lycopene from the tomatoes.
Recipe 20: Cheesy Pesto Tahini Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (including dehydration)
An addictive combination of pesto, tahini, and nutritional yeast that results in a cheesy and flavorful kale chip.
Recipe 21: Habanero Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
Delicious and easy to prepare, these kale chips are made with a creamy habanero dressing for an added spicy kick.
Recipe 22: Taco Fiesta Kale Chip Recipe
Preparation Time: 6-8 hours
Spicy and flavorful, these taco-inspired kale chips use ingredients like sunflower seeds, yellow mustard, chili powder, and tamari for a unique and tasty snack.
Recipe 23: Easy Cheesy Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
A cheesy kale chip without the dairy! Nutritional yeast gives these chips a special flavor, making them both simple and nutritious.
Recipe 24: Spicy Thai Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
Inspired by spicy Thai kettle chips, this recipe uses almond butter, garlic, lime juice, tamari, and coconut oil for an exotic flavor.
Recipe 25: Vegan Cheesy Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
Using nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, these kale chips offer all the flavor without the dairy or calories.
Recipe 26: Macro-Japan Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
This recipe combines nori, sesame seeds, miso paste, maple syrup, and tamari for a spicy and tangy flavor that’s perfect for kale chip lovers.
Recipe 27: Nacho Cheeseless Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
These kale chips get their flavor from tahini, sesame seeds, red pepper, nutritional yeast, and sea salt, making for a spicy and flavorful snack.
Recipe 28: Sour Cream & Onion Free Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
These kale chips are made with raw cashews, apple cider vinegar, and a bit of sea salt, resulting in a creamy, nutty, and nutrient-rich snack.
Recipe 29: Dijon Dill Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
Seasoned with Dijon mustard, fresh dill, and dill pickle juice, these kale chips have a salty and spicy flavor with a creamy texture.
Recipe 30: Dill Pickle Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
Made with raw cashews, apple cider vinegar, dill pickle brine, and sea salt, these kale chips have a creamy and flavorful taste with a strong dill punch.
Recipe 31: Apple Cinnamon Kale Chips (Nut Free)
Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
This recipe adds apples (grated or sliced), sesame seeds, tahini, coconut nectar, and cinnamon to kale chips, with a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor.
Recipe 32: Oven Baked Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
A simple recipe using olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt for baked kale chips. Low in glycemic content, it’s a satisfying snack without the calories.
Recipe 33: Kale Chips with Honey
Preparation Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
These kale chips are sweetened with honey (or raw agave) and infused with lemon, sea salt, olive oil, and dino kale for a flavorful, crispy snack.
Recipe 34: Cashew Miso Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
These kale chips are coated with raw cashews and flavored with light miso, nutritional yeast, garlic, soy, olive oil, and sauce for a crunchy, umami-rich snack.
Recipe 35: Salted Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
A simple, salty, crunchy kale chip recipe that’s vegan and raw. These chips offer both flavor and nutrition without being oily.
Recipe 36: Raw Kale Chip Recipe
Preparation Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
A raw vegan recipe that uses minimal ingredients, ideal for those seeking a simple and nutritious kale chip.
Recipe 37: Simple Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 4-6 hours
Curly kale chips made with apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and olive oil for a tasty, spicy, and tangy treat.
Recipe 38: Cheesy Kale Chips with Miso, Garlic, and Dulse
Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
A cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast and white miso, combined with garlic and olive oil, gives these kale chips a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and sour.
Recipe 39: Spicy Tahini Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
These kale chips get their creamy texture from tahini and a zesty flavor from lime juice, with a cheesy aftertaste from nutritional yeast.
Recipe 40: Cheesy Cashew Kale Chips
Preparation Time: 1-7 hours
Fresh lemon, cashews, and nutritional yeast come together in this simple recipe to create cheesy kale chips that are perfect for serving a medium-sized group.
Recipe 41: Dehydrated Kale Chips with Chilli
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Preparation Time: 12 hours 5 minutes
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Key Ingredients: Agave nectar, chilli, and dehydrated kal e.
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A unique combination of sweet and spicy with agave nectar and chilli.
Recipe 42: Spicy Thai Ginger Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
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Key Ingredients: Almond butter, lemon juice, tamari, honey, ginger, cayenne.
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A spicy, tangy treat with a Thai twist.
Recipe 43: Raw Vegan Kale Chips with Nutritional Yeast
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Preparation Time: 5-8 hours
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Key Ingredients: Nutritional yeast, olive oil, kale, salt.
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A raw vegan recipe with a cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast.
Recipe 44: Red and Green Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 10-12 hours
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Key Ingredients: Red bell pepper, tamari, lemon juice, cashews, turmeric, cayenne pepper, curry powder, pitted dates.
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A flavorful, spice-laden recipe with red and green bell peppers, turmeric, and curry powder.
Recipe 45: Spicy Curry Kale Chips with Dates
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Preparation Time: 12 hours
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Key Ingredients: Cashews, bell pepper, tamari, lemon, turmeric, curry powder.
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A gluten-free, raw, and vegetarian curry-flavored kale chip recipe.
Recipe 46: Parmesan Pepper Curly Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 3 hours
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Key Ingredients: Parmesan, pepper, curly kale.
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Perfect for those who love the combination of parmesan and pepper for a savory snack.
Recipe 47: Oil-Free Cashew Glazed Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 6-8 hours
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Key Ingredients: Himalayan sea salt, cashews, seasonings, spices (oil-free).
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A healthy, oil-free option with cashews and spices for flavor.
Recipe 48: Almond Crunch Kale Chips
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Key Ingredients: Almonds, crunchy texture.
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Perfect for the holidays or when you need a healthy snack alternative to oily chips.
Recipe 49: Cheesy Turmeric + Garlic Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Key Ingredients: Turmeric, garlic, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper.
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A potent anti-inflammatory recipe with a cheesy twist.
Recipe 50: Nacho Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 2-4 hours
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Key Ingredients: Nacho flavoring, kale leaves.
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A simple and delicious nacho-inspired kale chip recipe.
Recipe 51: Lemon Kale Chips
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Preparation Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Key Ingredients: Lemon, curly or dino kale.
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A zesty, fresh twist on traditional kale chips with lemon flavor.
Conclusion
This brings us to the close of this round up of 50+ dehydrated kale chip recipes. So, as you can see, the chips come in so many different flavors, with differing spices and seasonings. The one thing each of these have in common is that dehydrated kale is so nutritious, and flavourful, that these chips are the exact opposite of an average potato chip.
While potato chips are brimming with trans fat and high sodium, these kale chip recipes bypass that and offer healthy snacks which are good for the body and the heart. Choose any one of these delicious kale recipes for an evening party, a midnight snack or morning breakfast, and watch your positive health outcomes multiply.
If you find or know any other dehydrated kale chips recipe, feel free to share those with us on comments.
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