Savory Kale Chips

There are a lot of things I've learned over the years about cooking for my family: new recipes, how to persuade picky eaters, and tips to get dinner on the table faster. But the most important thing (I think) is what I learned about grocery shopping.

When I was first married (and for the first few years after that) my husband and I would go to the grocery store, spend over a hundred dollars and stuff and then we'd come home and say "What are we going to make with all this?" I'd come up with a dinner idea and then realize I was missing one or several ingredients. I thought grocery shopping was frustrating and expensive, and although we had plenty of snack foods, we lacked in fresh produce and dinner options.

Thankfully (and I'm sure the rest of my family is grateful too) I learned to plan my menu in advance, scour grocery ads for sales, and make a grocery list based of sales and what I already had in my fridge. And for produce? Thankfully Bountiful Baskets came to my area! Getting their baskets every week forces my family and I to branch out and try new fruits and veggies (because we are not throwing any of this away!). We try new recipes with the produce and because I want most of it gone before the next basket comes we eat a lot more fruits and veggies with our meals and for snacks.

Last week we got kale in our basket. I have never had kale and didn't know what to do with it! I did a quick search for "kale" on Google and saw all these recipes for "kale chips". Apparently they taste similar to potato chips, but way healthier! And my friend Heidi said her kids loved them, and if I can get my kids to love something dark green and full of antioxidants, then point me in that direction please! This recipe is super easy, and can easily be changed up with different spices.

This is kale. When I first saw it I didn't know what it was. 

Cut of the bottom stem with kitchen shears or a sharp knife.

Cut the dark green leaves away from the middle stem and tear them into bite size pieces.

After washing them well and drying them really well with a salad spinner, place them in a large bowl, season with olive oil and spices, and arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet (a non-insulated one works best) covered with foil.

Bake in your oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Let cool before eating!!

Savory Kale Chips



by Girls in Aprons

1 bunch kale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder

Preheat your oven to 350. Cover a cookie sheet (preferably non-insulated) with foil.

With kitchen shears or a sharp knife cut the large stems away from the leaves. Tear the leaves into bite sized pieces. Wash well and dry in a salad spinner. Place leaves in a large bowl with oil and seasonings and mix. Lay the leaves on foil in a single layer.

Bake at 350 for 10 - 15 minutes until edges are browning.

**HINTS & TIPS:
1. If your kale is really curly, place the leaves so they curl down. This allows the air to move more under the leaves.

2. Don't use too much oil! This could make your chips soggy. You can also switch up the seasonings! Try salt and lemon, chili powder and garlic, salt and pepper, seasoning salt, Italian seasonings, etc.

3. Watch your leaves after they have cooked for 8-9 minutes. Once the edges start to brown you can pull them out. Depending on your oven you may want to turn your pan halfway through cooking. Don't let your kale chips burn - they become bitter.

4. If you find your kale chips are a bit soggy (my leaves in the middle of my pan were a bit chewy still) let them sit out on your counter overnight. They crisp right up!