How to Make Sneaky Kale Chips (for Kids)

Kale chips are a super healthy and tasty snack that both kids and adults love. By baking kale leaves in the oven with a little oil and seasoning, they turn deliciously crispy and crunchy. However, some kids can be suspicious of anything containing greens. Here’s how to sneak more vegetables into your child’s diet with kid-approved kale chips.

Why Try Sneaky Kale Chips

Kale is packed with vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. It also contains antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and iron. Kale chips let you harness all these nutrients in a format kids adore – a crunchy, salty snack. The trick is to use kid-friendly flavors so they forget they are eating their veggies.

Here are some key benefits of kale chips for children:

• Get more vegetable servings into picky eaters
• Provide important vitamins for growth and development
• Introduce new flavors and textures to expand palates
• Offer a healthy alternative to potato chips or crackers
• Satisfy snack attacks in a nutritious way

Choosing the Right Kale

For kale chips, you want lacinato kale, also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale. It has a dark blue-green color and textured, bumpy leaves that bake up perfectly crispy. Curly kale is too delicate and disintegrates when baked.

Look for fresh, firm leaves with no yellowing or wilting. Smaller leaves make better chips. Remove any thick stems which can be bitter and won’t get crispy.

“Lacinato kale, with its bumpy texture, is the best variety for making kale chips.”

Prepping the Kale

Start by washing the kale thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Dry it very well, as any moisture will prevent crisping. Use a salad spinner or blot dry with paper towels.

Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces, about the size of a potato chip. Discard any thick stems.

Toss the kale with a tablespoon or two of oil – olive, avocado, and coconut oil all work well. The oil helps the kale get super crispy in the oven.

Seasoning Suggestions

Here are some kid-friendly seasoning ideas:

• Ranch – Use ranch seasoning or mix dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
• Pizza – Sprinkle with pizza or marinara sauce and grated parmesan
• Nacho cheese – Toss with taco seasoning and grated cheddar
• Sweet potato – Cinnamon, maple syrup, salt
• Sea salt – Let the kale flavor shine with just a sprinkle of sea salt

Get creative with your kids and customize the flavors!

Baking to Perfection

Spread the seasoned kale on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.

Bake at 300°F for 12-15 minutes, checking often near the end. You want the chips fully dried out but not burnt.

Let the kale chips cool before serving. Store in an airtight container for 1-2 days to retain crispness.

Important Tips for the Perfect Kale Chip

• Remove the ribs and stems from the kale leaves
• Dry the leaves completely before baking (use salt)
• Toss leaves in oil and seasonings to coat evenly
• Spread in a single layer on baking sheets

Why Add Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a key ingredient for making crispy, flavorful kale chips. Here’s why it’s so important:

• Promotes Crispiness – Olive oil helps draw moisture out of the kale leaves in the oven, transforming them into crunchy, baked chips. Without oil, kale leaves would simply dehydrate and shrivel up. The oil allows them to get crispy and brown at the edges.
• Binds Seasonings – Olive oil acts as a binding agent to make seasonings stick to the kale. Sprinkle on any dry spices or cheeses and the oil helps them adhere. Without oil, any seasoning would just fall off the dry kale leaves.
• Enhances Flavor – In addition to making kale chips crispy, olive oil also adds flavor. The subtle fruity taste of olive oil perfectly complements the earthy kale. Other oils like avocado or walnut oil also pair well.
• Adds Healthy Fats – Olive oil contains heart-healthy fats that add some nutritional value. Just a drizzle of oil gives a dose of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E.

The optimal amount of olive oil is about 1-2 tablespoons per bunch of kale. Too little oil won’t properly crisp and season the kale. Too much will lead to oily, soggy chips.

In sum – Kale is a nutrient-rich leafy green worth adding to your kid’s diet. It contains specific beneficial plant compounds that may offer cancer-fighting benefits and protect your child from disease.

When making kale chips, don’t skip the olive oil. It’s essential for getting the texture and flavor just right so kids will gobble up this healthy snack.

Sneaky Serving Ideas

Kale chips make a great snack on their own. You can also try:

• Pairing with dip or nut butter for dunking
• Crumbling on top of soups or salads
• Adding to lunch boxes or snack bags
• Serving at parties, play dates, or sleepovers

With fun flavors and crunch, kale chips are sure to be a hit with kids. Try this easy recipe to increase their vegetable intake in a sneaky yet healthy way.

Kid-Approved Kale Chip Recipes

Kale chips are endlessly adaptable to please any kid’s palate. Here are some of our favorite flavor ideas:

Basic Olive Oil and Salt

This simple preparation lets the kale’s natural flavor shine. Toss torn kale leaves with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake at 300°F for 12-15 minutes, until crisp. The olive oil gives the chips a light crunch without overpowering the kale.

Pizza Kale Chips

What kid doesn’t love pizza flavor? Brush leaves with 2 tablespoons marinara sauce and sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated parmesan. Bake until cheese melts and kale crisps. The tomato sauce adds savory flavor and the cheese gives a tasty crunch.

Sweet Potato Kale Chips

For a hint of sweetness, toss kale with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and a dash of cinnamon. The maple syrup caramelizes in the oven, coating the kale in a sweet glaze. Kids love this slightly sweet, salty, and crispy chip. Nope – there is no sweet potato!

Ranch Kale Chips

Ranch seasoning is a surefire kid-pleaser. Toss kale with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning blend. Bake until crisp. The zesty, herby ranch flavor pairs perfectly with the kale’s earthiness.

Cheesy Kale Chips

For ultimate cheesy goodness, toss kale with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 cup grated parmesan. The Parmesan bakes into the leaves, creating an addictively cheesy chip. Use other shredded cheese like cheddar for variety.

Maple Mustard Kale Chips

Whisk together 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Toss kale in the mixture and bake. The maple and mustard give a sweet, tangy crunch that kids devour.

Get creative with oil, spices, cheese, and other fun flavors to make kale chips your kids look forward to snacking on!