Kale season is in full swing, but not everyone is thrilled about it. That's unfortunate because kale tastes really good - especially in the form of crispy kale chips.
Kale is generally a divisive vegetable, and kale is no exception. But if you're one of those who swear off all things related to cabbage, 2024 might be the year to explore whether cabbage is actually that bad. After all, cabbage is incredibly healthy, and with all the recipes out there, there's a good chance you can cook cabbage in a way that hardly tastes like cabbage at all.
One of the recipes currently making its rounds on social media is so-called kale chips - a delicious and healthy snack that is incredibly easy to make.
Use Fresh Kale
For kale chips, you need fresh kale, making it an especially suitable recipe for the winter months. Kale is a winter vegetable that really comes into its own from November to February. During this period, the cabbage develops its deep green color and fantastic spicy-sweet flavor - and, of course, its valuable nutrients.
Kale contains a lot of amino acids, fibers, antioxidants, flavonoids, and is a rich source of protein. It even has the highest content of beta-carotene (a secondary plant ingredient and precursor to vitamin A) of any food. The green cabbage also provides iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, E, and K.
Ingredients for Kale Chips
This recipe is for two people, but it can easily be scaled up:
125 g kale
1 tbsp olive oil
Garlic (1 tsp garlic oil, garlic powder, or a pressed clove of garlic)
1 tsp paprika
A good pinch of salt
Herbs of your choice, such as thyme or rosemary
If you like kale chips with an extra bite, you can add about a teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper.
How to Make Them
Rinse the kale thoroughly and dry it very well, otherwise, the chips won't be crispy.
Tear or cut the kale leaves into a manageable chip size and remove the stem.
Preheat the oven to about 170 degrees Celsius. (338 degrees Fahrenheit)
Mix all the ingredients for the marinade well together and then combine with the kale.
Spread the marinated kale leaves on a baking sheet, so the leaves touch as little as possible.
Bake the kale for 10-15 minutes. After about 10 minutes, keep an eye on it, as the leaves can quickly burn.
Carefully remove the kale chips from the oven when they are golden and crispy. Let them cool for a few minutes to become even crispier.
Serve your homemade kale chips immediately as a delicious and healthy snack or as a tasty addition to your meals.
