Spicy Tahini Kale Chips- These are without a doubt the best kale chips you will ever try. Make them at home and try not to eat them all up at once!
Have you tried kale chips yet? Â Did you think they were “just ok” but didn’t get the hype? Â That’s probably because you didn’t have these.
All too often I see recipes for kale chips that include nothing more than “olive oil, salt, pepper and an optional seasoning of your choice.”  No.  That’s boring.  I tried simple kale chips and was thoroughly underwhelmed.  In the end, kale just isn’t that exciting until you jazz it up a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love kale and eat it almost every day.  But I need some ZING in my snacks.  Let me tell you now:  these chips have zing. Â
Tahini adds a thick creaminess, lime juice provides that perfect acidity, nutritional yeast creates mouth-watering cheesiness and the red pepper flakes add heat. Â You don’t need salty processed chips to give you that savoriness we all crave. Â You need these. Â Try not to eat them all at once, though.
I use a dehydrator when I make these spicy tahini kale chips. Â Mine is pretty cheap and it works perfectly well for veggie and fruit chip snacks. Â But I mostly use it for kale chips and it has been worth every penny. Â I prep them before I go to bed and the next morning I wake up with ready-to-go snacks. Â I realize that most of you don’t have dehydrators sitting around so I’ve included oven directions here.
Spicy Tahini Kale Chips
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch of kale, inner ribs removed
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons tahini
- 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (or plug in your dehydrator). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Wash and thoroughly dry the kale, then remove the leaves from the tough inner stem. Slice or rip into large pieces. Remember- they'll shrink as they dehydrate so don't go too small. Place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over the kale and coat each leaf thoroughly. It's messy, but the best way to do this is with your hands.
- Spread the chips in a single layer on the baking sheet or in the dehydrator. The dehydrator should take approximately 8 hours. The oven will take up to an hour (start checking on them after 30 minutes. They're ready when the seasonings are completely dry and the kale is crispy.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Laura says
I agree kale chips need more flavor. Yours look great! And “chipped” lol is about the only way I like kale… I will have to look for some at my FM and try this.
Choc Chip Uru says
Ugh everyone is posting about the wonders of kale, you just inspire me to get my act together and make these :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I’m all about the zing! Love the Tahini here.
Sharyn Dimmick says
My favorite kale salad recipe uses tahini, lemon juice, tamari and garlic. I will certainly try these when the kale rolls in.
Savory Simple says
That sounds just like the dressing I make! Love it.
The Squishy Monster says
Kale is one of my top ingredients I’m loving to play with right now–thanks for introducing us to another way to preparing it!
Roger Stowell says
Such a good idea – until I came to the dehydrator that I don’r have! I love tahini and get my son to bring me huge plastic bottles of Egyptian tahina from a Middle Eastern store at the end of his road in London. I suppose nutritional yeast is Marmite. Great flavour combination and I love the picture.
Baker Street says
Tahini is such a fabulous addition. I agree with you. Kale could certain use a little more zing.
Francesca says
Have been wanting to make my own kale chips…but never thought to incorporate tahini. Thanks for the recipe!
Kathryn says
Love the idea of using tahini in these!
Carolyn Chan says
I love the idea of a dehydrator ! I remember going to a farmer’s market once and they had dehydrated ginger crisps that were dipped in dark chocolate and I have always wanted one but couldn’t justify it but I think this would persuade me :)
Jenny @ BAKE says
the colour and light in that photo is amazing!!
yummychunklet says
These look like a great twist on baked kale chips!
Adriana @ FoodCocktail says
I love recipes that use tahini or sesame in general. Too bad I don’t have a dehydrator..
Savory Simple says
You don’t need a dehydrator, I included baking instructions.
Adriana @ FoodCocktail says
Yes, I’ve seen them, but still… I wish I had one :) Thanks for your quick reply!
Laura Dembowski says
I love kale chips and eat them at least once a week. I’ll have to post my finally perfected recipe. It took forever to figure out. Hot pepper flakes are a must.
Valerie says
These sound Amazing! Thanks for including oven directions too. :)