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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Patty says
I would love to try these unique delicious kale chips- they look and sound so good;-)
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I bought a package of kale chips and was disappointed.. now I can try making these instead! They look so much better!!
Jennifer says
I can not wait to try these! I love kale and kale chips and love the zing in these. You have given me a reason to get out my dehydrator.
Debra says
I paid a small fortune at Whole Foods for a small bag of kale chips! I am very excited about a recipe! :-) VERY excited. :-)
Rachel says
I made these last night, and they are so delicious! If using the oven, I would recommend covering the baking sheet in parchment paper. I also tried a sheet using my silpat, and they took significantly longer to dry out. Thanks for the recipe!
Savory Simple says
So glad you liked them!
Monet says
My husband loves kale chips with just a bit of olive oil and sea salt, but I, however, need more punch. These look delicious! Thank you for sharing another lovely recipe. A much needed jump start to a slow and dreary morning. I hope you have a beautiful day!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
I’ve never made kale chips, but I’ve wanted to. This version sounds much tastier than the *ahem* plain counterpart. Thanks for the recipe!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love kale chips and lots of nutri yeast! The cheezy factor gets me every time. Perfect chips!
Ashley - baker by nature says
Love everything about these kale chips!
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
WOW – I’m already craving these and I haven’t even tasted them yet! Love all the flavors! What a yummy, healthy snack. Thanks, Jen!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
These kale chips look absolutely wonderful – I love your addition of tahini + red pepper flakes – YUM!
Libby says
I just bought a dehydrator to make beef jerky this weekend but I’ll be wanting to give these babies a go too. I was never a fan of kale chips (because you’re right, they can be boring) but this recipe makes them sound so much better than potato chips. Thanks for sharing!
Savory Simple says
Let me know how the beef jerky comes out! I’d like to try that at some point.
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I had these on my to-make list for so long… The spicy in these will make my Hubs excited for these too so I have to make them now :) Thank you for the oven instructions, Jen!
Allie says
I haven’t tried kale chips yet but have been meaning to. Glad to know there’s an easy way to do it in the oven.
x
Andrea Santarlasci says
This looks like an awesome recipe! I have a feeling I can get a lot of people converted to eating kale if I make this for them… Thanks, Jen!