Wondering how to bake kale chips at home? It is super easy, and requires no fancy kitchen gear, just your oven and a baking sheet! With a little added flavor from grated parmesan cheese, these kale chips are a crispy, crunchy, savory snack, and an easy way to enjoy this oh-so healthy green veggie.

A bowl of kale chips on a plate with a bowl of Parmesan cheese. A hand is taking one of the chips.

Kale is one of those magical green veggies that most people know is good for them, but when it comes to cooking with kale…well, they feel a little lost.

While there are so many out-of-the-box ways to eat more kale, one of the easiest and honestly fun ways to enjoy it is to make kale chips in the oven.

I am known for my easy, delicious recipes for veggie snacks and this is one of my favorites! These kale chips are easy to bake in your oven in under 20 minutes, are simple to prep, are made extra delicious thanks to the addition of Parmesan cheese. Baking reduces the kale’s natural bitterness and you are left with a lovely crisp snack that is loaded with all kinds of nutrients AND flavor. Made with just 4 ingredients, these healthy vegetable chips are a fun and simple way to add more veggies to your life.

And since they are made with just a handful of ingredients, these baked kale chips are naturally gluten free, egg-free, and are easily vegetarian when you use vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

Looking for other creative ways to eat more greens? Try these super popular, kid-approved healthy muffins with kale or make a delicious breakfast frittata with kale and start your day off veggie-loaded!

How to make these homemade kale chips

It is so much easier than you probably think! No dehydrator needed, just your oven. And just 4 simple ingredients.

The first step to making kale chips is removing the hard stem (sometimes called a rib) from the center of each leaf of kale. I use curly kale for my chips, but I have also made them with dino kale (also called Lacinato kale). Both kinds have a hard stem that needs to be removed. You do this by laying the leaf flat on the cutting board a running a sharp knife along the edge of the stem.

Fresh kale on a cutting board with a hand cutting out the hard middle stem. There is cut kale on the cutting board and a strainer with more kale next to it.

Cut the kale leaf into smaller pieces and place them in a bowl.

Drizzle the kale with oil and season with salt. Toss with your hands or a spoon to ensure the kale is thoroughly coated.

Next, arrange the kale on the prepped baking sheet, being sure not to crowd the kale. Crowded kale will steam instead of crisp up.

Bake chips for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and return to oven for 3-5 more minutes for cheese to melt.

Remove from oven and allow kale chips to rest for 10 minutes. They will crisp up as they cool.

Kale chips are best enjoyed day of, but they can be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container for 2-3 days.

a 4 image graphic showing how to make kale chips

Suggested Adaptations

  • Skip the Parmesan cheese and make them dairy-free/vegan/Paleo. The salt will still elevate the flavor of these kale chips without the cheese.
  • Add extra seasoning. Like cumin, chili powder or garlic powder. Make these kale chips your own!
  • Use them in place of croutons in a salad. Once cooked, break the chips into smaller pieces and use them as a flavor and texture boost to greens.

Other kale-loaded recipes you will love

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A bowl of kale chips on a plate with a bowl of Parmesan cheese. A hand is taking one of the chips and there is a baking tray with more chips next to the plate
Quick Oven-Baked Kale Chips with Parmesan served
5 from 4 votes

Quick Oven-Baked Kale Chips with Parmesan

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Cuisine: American
Course: Side Dish, Snack
Author: Taesha Butler
Wondering how to bake kale chips at home? It is super easy, and requires no fancy kitchen gear, just your oven and a baking sheet! With a little added flavor from grated parmesan cheese, these kale chips are a crispy, crunchy, savory snack, and an easy way to enjoy this oh-so healthy green veggie
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 bunch fresh kale  , I use curly kale, but you can use lacinato kale too
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive or avocado oil
  • 2-3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
  • salt , to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (if desired) for easy clean up. If you don't have a large baking sheet, use two smaller baking sheets.
  • Wash the kale and thoroughly dry it. Cut out the hard stem and rip/cut leaves into smaller pieces.
  • Place cut kale in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with oil and salt. Toss with your hands or a spoon to ensure all the kale is thoroughly coated on both sides.
  • Arrange the kale on the prepped baking sheet, being sure not to crowd the kale. Crowded kale will steam instead of crisp up.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove from heat, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and place bake into the oven for 3-5 more minutes. Keep an eye on them, as every oven is a bit different and these chips can easily burn.
  • Remove from oven and allow the kale chips to cool for about 10 minutes. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
  • Enjoy! Kale chips are best day of, but once leftovers are totally cool, place them in an air-tight container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Notes

Nutritional information calculated without salt as it will depend on how much you opt to use. 
Serving: 0.25of batch, Calories: 58kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 2mg, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 163mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 3268IU, Vitamin C: 39mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 1mg