I will never forget the day when I was a teenager and my mom declared, “I want to make homemade chips.” But not any kind of chips. I was thinking barbecue, sour cream and onion, or salt and vinegar potato chips.
She wanted to make kale chips.
“Eww, gross!” I responded, “Why would you make chips out of a vegetable?!” Naturally I forget to recognize that potato chips are made from a vegetable…potatoes. But that’s beside the point. (And clearly I’ve matured since my teenage years!)
She explained that her favorite television chefs were baking kale chips. Mom said it was easy and that they would turn out crunchy. I was highly doubtful.
I watched her douse the leafy green kale in olive oil. She rubbed down the leaves until they were smothered in oil.
Next she tossed them with varying herbs. I remember her making one tray with only salt, and to another one she added cajun seasoning.
She placed them in the oven and we waited the 20 minutes until the leaves were browning, shrinking, and crispy. Then it was the moment of truth: the first bite. We each picked up a leaf and began to chew. To my surprise, it crunched and crisped yet nearly melted in my mouth.
“Oh my gosh…this is actually really good!” I exclaimed!
If you can get your kids to simply taste one bite of these treats, I think you’ll win them over. However, you’ll have to discover a way to convince them that kale chips are just as delicious as potato chips!
Looking for more ways to serve your kids vegetables? Try these kale chips! They will crunch and crisp in your mouth - and unexpectedly taste a lot like extra thin potato chips.
- 1 bunch kale (6-12 large stalks)
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Preheat the oven to 350.
De-stem the kale and rip the leaves into 1-2 inch pieces.
Using your hands, thoroughly coat the pieces of kale in the olive oil.
Spread out the kale leaves on a lined or greased baking sheet.
Sprinkle with salt (or seasoning of choice).
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Then check every one minute until the kale is browned but not burned.
Season these kale chips with the flavors that your kids love! Try garlic powder, parmesan cheese, or cajun seasoning.
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