Cajun Kale Chips

 

I make kale chips several times a month.  And it’s one of those things that I make slightly differently every single time…well, because the versatility is endless and these leafy greens are pretty forgiving when it comes to flavor experimentation.  You’ve probably seen a billion different versions of how to make this potato chip alternative, and this is just another one to add to your repertoire of healthy snacks that take less than 20 minutes to prepare.

I debated on whether or not to even post these because of the fact that I change up the ingredients every time and the fact that this might be the most simple recipe I have ever posted.  But, this last batch…oh mama.  They were good.  I can proudly say that I ate an entire bunch of kale in one sitting.  I suppose that’s a good thing, considering that kale is one of those mega super foods, rich in all sorts of vitamins and iron (a good thing for those who are meat-free, right?).  But the best part is that these don’t taste like a traditional mega super food…they taste like crispy little savory chips of goodness.  And, in this case, some slightly spicy ones.

My favorite type of kale?  I like Lacinato (or otherwise known as dinosaur kale…it gets points in my book just for having that name) because I find the leaves a little heartier and with a slightly different flavor.  For this recipe, I used plain old Curly Kale because that was what was available in the market.  And when it’s baked, isn’t it beautiful?  (Humor me with this one…I just elevated my nerd factor by about 1000%, but I really do think it’s an incredibly beautiful food.)

Want some other kale chip ideas?  Just prepare it in the same way but use a different seasoning combination….these combos are some of my favorites.

Cheesy Kale Chips…with Parmesan

Lemon and Garlic

Sea Salt and Vinegar

And if I am feeling a little spicy, I do a little combination of red pepper flakes with a little drizzle of Sriracha.

Cajun Kale Chips

Servings: about 4 small servings (but if you are like me, you will eat the whole thing….)

Ingredients

1 bunch kale, rinsed, blotted dry and torn into 3 to 4-inch pieces

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon (or to taste) Cajun seasoning

Sea salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl (using tongs-it’s a little easier that way), combine all the ingredients and lightly toss to thoroughly coat.

3. Bake until crispy around the edges, about 10-15 minutes.  (Keep an eye on them-they make cook quickly.)

 

Source:  A Curvy Carrot original

 

February 1, 2012 - 10:23 am

peach - Yum! I am going to do this for the super bowl!! A Heart healthy snack!

February 1, 2012 - 12:38 pm

Heather @ Kids in the Sink - I recently started making these for my very picky toddler because it’s a great way to get healthy greens in him. I’ve not played around with flavors yet but those combinations look like great ideas!

February 1, 2012 - 10:13 pm

Marianne - Has anyone every tried with vinegar and Old Bay? Just curious. It’s the Baltimore in me!

February 3, 2012 - 2:25 pm

Ann P. - My friends make kale chips all the time, but I’ve never made them myself! This looks like a perfect recipe to try making these chips for the first time 🙂

February 5, 2012 - 5:00 am
February 27, 2012 - 2:09 pm

A Healthy Spin on Mardi Gras Recipes and Traditions | Travaasa Blog - […] For the ultimately addicting snack food try some Cajun Kale Chips. This recipe takes just 10-15 to prepare and all you have to do is toss them in the oven until they are crisped to your liking. Check out the full recipe for this heart healthy snack here. […]

February 27, 2012 - 7:36 pm

A Healthy Spin on Mardi Gras Recipes and Traditions - […] For the ultimately addicting snack food try some Cajun Kale Chips. This recipe takes just 10-15 to prepare and all you have to do is toss them in the oven until they are crisped to your liking. Check out the full recipe for this heart healthy snack here. […]

March 8, 2012 - 10:30 pm

Andrea - Made this last night! It was my first time making kale chips…yum!! Thank you for sharing!

February 5, 2013 - 6:22 pm

Mara - I just made kale chips for the first time today!! They were amazing!! Thank you!!! 🙂

February 19, 2013 - 2:33 am

Barbara - Try Kale sauteed in Olive Oil with pancetta or crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of garlic and pepper!

March 3, 2013 - 12:17 pm

Michelle L. - How in the world do you store these? I put them in a ziploc bag and they turned to mush. HELP!

March 3, 2013 - 12:42 pm

srlacy - Hi Michelle-
As inconvenient as it may be, I always just eat small batches fresh. I haven’t tried to store them-I don’t think they store well without added preservatives.

March 3, 2013 - 1:28 pm

Michelle L. - Thanks for the reply. I was hoping you’d have some secret as to how to store these. They are good! Guess I’ve got a lot of chips to eat today and I’ll definitely achieve my servings of vegetables! 🙂

March 23, 2013 - 4:22 pm

Rhonda - I made kale chips for the very first time today….I can actually say that I LOVED them!

April 25, 2013 - 7:53 pm

Recipe: Cajun Kale Chips | Love Your Healthy Body - […] to skillfully avoid should it be put in front of me, but after trying this Kale Chip recipe from The Curvy Carrot, I have added Kale to my repertoire of food I LOVE. And this recipe is ridiculously […]