Make a large batch of these Cajun Kale Chips and enjoy these crispy kale chips as a snack. I'll show you the trick to making crispy kale chips without burning them.
If you're always looking for snacks in your pantry, I have the healthiest snack idea for you: kale chips. These crispy kale chips are seasoned with Cajun seasoning to give them lots of flavor and spice.
I find that the Cajun seasoning helps me slow down and really enjoy these kale chips instead of wolfing them down. This is because Cajun seasoning is pretty spicy and I have to take a few seconds in between bites.
If you are not into spicy snacks, cut some of the Cajun seasoning with sweet paprika for lots of flavor but less heat.
And even if you end up eating the whole batch, THAT'S OKAY! Kale is suuuuuper healthy so it's not a bad thing.
This whole batch has under 200 calories, so it's much better than eating a whole bag of potato chips.
More low-carb Cajun spice recipes: Cajun Shrimp Spinach Salad
Healthy kale snack / low carb kale snack
These crispy Kale Chips are healthy. They are gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly.
And of course, kale is one of the healthiest, nutrient-rich vegetables out there. It is high in vitamins A, C, K, manganese, calcium, copper, and potassium, all while being low in calories.
What kind of kale to use for kale chips
In this kale chips recipe I used regular curly leaf kale. It is the kind that is most widely available in grocery stores in the US. It works great for kale chips because it is pretty low in moisture so they turn out very crispy.
This kind of kale has a slightly tough texture, but it works out great for kale chips because - again - this helps makes crispy kale chips.
The trick to making crispy kale chips
There are two main tricks to getting perfectly crispy kale chips that are not burnt:
- Dry the kale thoroughly. Either wash it in advance and let it dry for an hour or two on the counter, or for several hours in the fridge. Or the easier option is to use a salad spinner. You'll be shocked by how much water comes out of washed kale! Even if you use a salad spinner, letting the kale dry on the counter until completely dry will make sure you get super crispy kale chips.
- Roast the kale chips at a lower temperature (250F) for a longer time (25-30 minutes). This lets the kale chips dehydrate (lets the water evaporate) and makes sure the kale doesn't burn. If you try making kale chips at the typical temperature of 350F, the edges will burn but the little nooks and crannies will still have water trapped.
My other tip for how to make kale chips without any fuss or mess is to use parchment paper on the baking sheet. BAM, minimal cleanup.
What kind of Cajun seasoning to use
I use one of two Cajun seasonings at home: Badia Cajun Seasoning and Healthy Solutions Spice Blends Cajun Seasoning.
Healthy solutions is spicier. Badia is a bit more mild in spice but more flavorful. Badia has tricalcium phosphate added to prevent caking. Healthy solutions doesn’t have any chemicals added. Healthy solutions is a small business owned by a woman. Badia is a huge company. You decide what’s right for you and your kitchen!
Can't handle the heat? Cajun spice can be really spicy, so feel free to use half the amount, or to substitute half the spice with sweet paprika for lots of flavor but less heat.
Check the salt content! Check whether your Cajun seasoning has salt added. If yes, you will need to cut down on the amount of salt in these kale chips (Healthy Solutions Cajun Seasoning doesn't have any salt or sugar added, so I love using it because you can totally control the flavor of your dishes by adding salt separately).
Other flavor ideas for kale chips
If you try these Cajun kale chips and are ready to move on to other flavored kale chips, here are some great seasoning ideas:
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Taco or fajita seasoning
- Berbere (a spicy Ethiopian seasoning)
- Garlic powder
- Za'atar (a Middle Eastern seasoning that is not spicy at all, but a little smoky)
- Curry powder
Looking for other healthy snack ideas??
- Asiago cheese crisps - another keto-friendly snack!
- Crispy sunchoke chips
- Crispy roasted chickpeas - 4 flavors!
- Yellow squash tots
- Cauliflower tots
- Papaya shake - try this even if you don't like papaya! It tastes nothing like a papaya, tastes like a rich milkshake
- Mango whipped cottage cheese
- 3 Ingredient caramel energy bites
If you make these Cajun kale chips, please take a picture and tag me on Instagram or Facebook. You can find me at @babaganoshblog on both. I love seeing your creations!
If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!
Cajun Kale Chips
Ingredients
- ½ lb kale - (1 medium bunch)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt - (or to taste, see notes)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - (or to taste, see notes)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Special equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and dry the kale thoroughly (using a salad spinner, if you have one, or spread it out on a paper towel and allow to dry for at least an hour). The kale has to be dry to ensure crispy kale chips.
- Tear the kale leaves into 1-2 inch pieces and discard the stems.
- In a large bowl, combine the kale leaves with the oil, salt, and Cajun seasoning and massage the oil into the kale leaves, making sure to spread the seasoning all around.
- Arrange the kale on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway, or until the kale chips are crispy. Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes and enjoy!
Notes
- Check whether your Cajun seasoning has salt in it. If it does, add less salt to these kale chips.
- Cajun seasoning can be very spicy! Add a little bit at first, mix together, and taste it before adding a whole teaspoon to the kale chips.
Nutrition
The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.