What are Kale Chips?

For those who are looking to eat healthy but are also craving something salty and crunchy, look no further: kale chips to the rescue. But what are these crunchy chips, exactly?

Kale is, obviously, a leafy green, and it also happens to be one of the healthiest foods on earth. In order to “chipify” them, all the water needs to be removed through a process called dehydration. It’s the same way that strips of beef turn into beef jerky or fresh fruits turn into dried fruits.

While some dried foods get that way by exposing them to sunlight or blowing a hot fan on them, kale chips can be made by simply placing them in the oven, and that’s how most companies that mass-produce them make theirs. You can buy supermarket kale chips, but it’s actually really easy to make them at home.

All you need to do is take a bunch of kale, remove the stems, and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Make sure it’s dry, then toss it in a bowl with about a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt. Arrange the kale on a couple large baking sheets, making sure that they don’t overlap, place them in a 400-degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes (checking every so often to make sure they don’t burn), and voila! Kale chips. You can eat them right away, or store them in an airtight container for up to two days.