Why air fryer kale is a good choice
Cooking kale is much faster than using a conventional oven because the hot air circulates closely around the leaves. This constant airflow ensures that every piece becomes perfectly brittle without needing a lot of fat. It is a very simple way to prepare a nutritious snack with minimal cleanup. Using the also prevents the leaves from becoming too greasy or soggy.
How to get air fryer kale ready
Prepare the kale: Remove any thick or woody stems from the kale leaves and tear them into bite sized pieces. Wash the leaves thoroughly in cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Pat the leaves very dry with kitchen paper because any remaining water will prevent them from becoming crispy.
Season the leaves: Place the dry kale pieces into a large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Add the salt and garlic powder to the bowl. Use your hands to massage the oil and seasonings into every part of the leaves until they are evenly coated.
Cook the kale: Transfer the seasoned leaves into the basket in a single layer without overcrowding it. Set the temperature to 180C and cook for about five minutes. Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure the hot air reaches all sides of the leaves.
Finish and serve: Check the kale towards the end of the cooking time to make sure it does not burn. The leaves should feel light and brittle when they are finished. Remove them from the basket immediately and let them cool for a minute to reach maximum crispiness before serving.
Good advice for air fryer kale
The secret to perfect kale is making sure the leaves are completely dry before you add any oil. If the leaves are damp they will steam instead of crisping and the texture will be soft. Try to spread the leaves out as much as possible in the basket to allow for proper airflow. If you have a lot of kale it is better to cook it in two smaller batches rather than one large one.
Keep a very close eye on the basket during the last minute of cooking as the thin leaves can turn from crispy to burnt very quickly. You can experiment with other seasonings like smoked paprika or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour without using dairy. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them from going soft.
If you are looking for more simple ideas, you may also like
air fryer beef meatballs,
air fryer frozen fish fingers or
air fryer turkey fillet.