Kale Chips with Smoked Paprika: A Crispy, Nutritious Airfryer Snack

I'm thrilled to share with you our family's top snack: kale chips made in an air fryer. They're so crunchy that even my 2-year-old, who loves chocolate but isn't a fan of vegetables, eats them! Kale is a leafy green veggie related to cabbage that's full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The strong bitter taste of the kale, which gets more intense when it's air fried, matches well with smoked paprika. Feel free to use your own favorite spices! Now, let's get into our tasty and simple air fried kale chips with a smoky twist!

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• Kale leaves, dried thoroughly (the less moisture, the better. Ideally, you would want to wash it just as you buy and leave it to dry completely before storing it)

• Vegetable oil suitable for high temperatures, such as canola (olive has a very low smoking point)

• Smoked paprika

• Sea salt

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1. Preheat your airfryer to 190°C (approximately 375°F).
2. Remove the kale's hard stems and tear the leaves into smaller pieces (they will shrink further while airfrying due to dehydration). Again, be sure to dry the kale thoroughly, as any residual moisture will result in soggy chips.
3. In a large bowl, combine the kale and drizzle a bit of oil, like you were making a salad. Massage the oil well with your hands to ensure the kale leaves are evenly but lightly coated.
4. Arrange the kale in a single layer in the airfryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd the leaves so that they crisp up properly without creating too much steam. You may need to cook the kale chips in batches, depending on the size of your airfryer.
5. Airfry the kale chips for about 4 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Check on the chips halfway through cooking and gently shake the basket to ensure even crisping. They are done when they are crispy with some brown spots but not brown all the way through. A tip not to forget the mid-cooking shake: just set your airfryer for 2 minutes instead of 4!
6. Carefully remove the kale chips from the airfryer basket and allow them to cool for a minute or two before enjoying. Add salt and paprika or your favorite spice to taste.

Not only will you be indulging in a tasty treat, but you'll also be reaping the incredible health benefits of kale. Why not have different little bowls of kale chips with a different seasoning to surprise your guests? Have fun experimenting!

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