What Are Kale Chips?

Kale chips are baked or dehydrated pieces of kale — a green, leafy vegetable. They are easy to make and are a nutritious alternative to snacks such as potato chips. There are many ways to season kale chips, ranging from sea salt to a mixture of lemon and honey. They are low in calories and offer many different health benefits, particularly since they are high in vitamins K, A, and C, and also contain cancer-fighting antioxidants, such as flavonoids.

Making kale chips takes little effort. Generally, a person will first wash and dry the kale. The stems typically are then separated from the leaves, as only the leaves are used to make the chips. Then, the leaves can be drizzled with olive oil, flax oil, or coconut oil and placed in a single layer on a baking sheet. It typically takes about ten minutes at 350°F (about 175°C) for the kale chips to bake.

It also is possible to make kale chips using a food dehydrator. In most cases, the process is the same as baking the kale. For example, it is washed, dried, and the leaves are torn away from the stems in chip-sized pieces. The leaves may also be misted or drizzled with oil and seasoned. Typically, it takes about eight hours for the food dehydrator to turn the kale leaves into crisp chips.

There are a wide variety of seasonings that can be used to give kale chips added flavor. For example, they can be doused with soy sauce. They may also be sprinkled with countless combinations of different spices, such as powdered garlic, paprika, chili powder, or chili flakes. In addition, they can be covered with Parmesan cheese. Some people prefer the sour and sweet combination of lemon and honey, while others prefer the tangy flavor of vinegar and salt.

Kale is considered by many nutritionists to be a superfood. It is thought to reduce the likelihood that certain cancers, such as breast, bladder, prostate, ovary, and colon, will develop. In addition, it is believed to detoxify the body, ridding it of toxins and harmful chemicals, and it has been shown to lower cholesterol. Some people claim that it works to prevent inflammation in the body as well. These claims are based on scientific research and the fact that it is high in vitamins K, A, and C, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains antioxidants, such as flavonoids; manganese; fiber; and calcium.