Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips

Crisp and easy to make, these Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips are a quick and healthy snack everyone will enjoy. These gluten-free kale chips come together in 5 minutes or less with the help of the air fryer!

A green rimmed white plate topped with air fryer kale chips on a white counter.

2023 was the year our family started a garden. Maybe because my feed was flooded with gardening content or maybe I just needed an escape from the house of two under two… whatever the reason I think the garden is here to stay.

When we first started planting and growing crops, it was a great way to get us outside. Some additional benefits we saw included:

  • Teaching our littles how to care for plants
  • Showing them how plants look before they make it to the supermarket
  • Watching them eat the produce fresh from the garden (peppers and basil were our sons favorite)

Why We Love Air Fryer Kale Chips

We planted different vegetables each season and found great success with kale during the winter months. Our prolific kale plants challenged us to find new and creative ways to enjoy the produce.

Vegan air fryer kale chips on a white plate with a green rim from the side.

We baked the kale with salmon, sautéed it with shrimp, and massaged it into salads. Our kids favorite way to eat this plant was simply air fried with salt and pepper.

Some of the reasons we love this recipe for kale chips in the air fryer include:

  • Easy to make. We’re talking a total of 5 minutes from start to finish.
  • Crispy and flavorful. A satisfying crunch and simple seasoning bring out the best of this fresh kale.
  • Healthy snack. These vegan kale chips are also dairy-free and gluten-free.
  • Toddler Approved. With all the crunch and a slightly salty finish of a traditional chip, these kale chips are sure to be a hit for everyone.

Vegan Changes to Kale Chips

This recipe is a naturally vegan recipe made with plant-based ingredients. There were no swaps or substitutions to make these air fryer kale chips vegan.

One of the best benefits to enjoying these vegan kale chips it that kale retains a decent amount of its nutritional value when cooked up into a chip. So each of these crispy and crunchy kale chips is equal parts delicious and healthy.

How to Make Crispy Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Kale– We used lacinato kale (also called dino kale) for this recipe.
  • Olive oil– Helps the chips crisp up in the air fryer.
  • Salt + Pepper– For a little seasoning.
Ingredients for vegan air fryer kale chips on a white counter.

Step-by-Step Directions for Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips

  • Clean the kale: Wash and dry the kale.
  • Trim off the bottom of the stalks.
  • Slice the kale horizontally, across the stalk, in 1 inch thick strips.
  • Season: Place the chopped kale in a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Massage the kale with your hands to work the oil in and soften the kale a little.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and set the timer to 3 minutes.
  • Air fry: Add the seasoned kale to the preheated air fryer and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Enjoy! Remove from the air fryer and serve.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

When you are ready to make these vegan kale chips, here are a few helpful kitchen tools to get you started.

  • Air Fryer– Used to cook these kale chips to a crispy finish.
  • Tongs– Great for tossing the olive oil over the kale chips.

Serving Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips

Honestly I would serve these up as a chip replacement, so anywhere you’d add a side of chips, these would go! They pair swimmingly with:

Vegan air fryer kale chips on a white plate with a green rim on a white counter with a few kale chips scattered on the counter.

Storing Vegan Kale Chips

Before you store these vegan air fryer kale chips make sure to let them cool completely so you do not trap any moisture in with them when they store.

  • For storage, place in an air-tight container and keep at room temperature for 2-3 days.

More Air Fryer Recipes to Make Next

If you tried this vegan air fryer kale chip recipe please let me know in the comments below!

You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!

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A hand holding one air fryer kale chip over a white plate topped with vegan kale chips.

Vegan Air Fryer Kale Chips

Learn how to make crispy vegan kale chips in the air fryer with this simple 5 minute recipe!

Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword Air Fryer, Chips, Kale, Vegan
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Kale
  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry the kale. Trim off the bottom of the stalks and slice the kale horizontally, across the stalk, in 1 inch thick strips.

  2. Place 4 cups chopped kale in a bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons olive oil, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Massage the kale with your hands to work the oil in and soften the kale a little.

  3. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and set the timer to 3 minutes.

  4. Add the seasoned kale to the preheated air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and serve.

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