Can a snack be crispy and healthy at the same time? Of course! Make these Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips – an addictive fusion of crunchy kale leaves seasoned with the umami-rich flavours of Japanese furikake seasoning. Plus, you only need 3 ingredients!
This snack not only satisfies your cravings but also packs a punch of nutrients. I make these for my kids as an after school snack. These chips are also great for snacking at work or even for a party!
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Table of Contents
- What are Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips?
- Here’s Why You Will Love Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
- Equipment and Tools to Make Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
- Ingredients
- Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips Options and Substitutions
- How to Make Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- Make Ahead Options
- Recipe Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hungry for More Furikake Recipes?
What are Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips?
Furikake is a versatile Japanese condiment and consists of a blend of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, sugar and salt. Its umami-packed profile adds depth and complexity to various dishes, from rice to fish to french fries and, yes, even kale! The combination of the earthy kale’s crispiness and furikake’s umami-rich, slightly salty taste creates an addictive snack that’s hard to resist.
Here’s Why You Will Love Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
- Superfood: Kale packs on vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Who knew snacking has the potential to benefit our health?
- Flavourful: Furikake offers a savoury, slightly sweet, and distinctly umami taste.
- Healthier Option: Not only do you save time by cooking the kale in the air fryer, you also reduce the intake of calories vs deep frying. Air fryers use hot air circulation to crisp up food, requiring minimal oil.
- Customizable: With various furikake blends available, you can experiment with different flavours, from classic seaweed and sesame to spicy or citrus-infused variations.
Equipment and Tools to Make Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
Air fryer
Medium bowl
Ingredients
Alright, let’s make our shopping list! To make this recipe, you will need…
Kale: Opt for kale leaves that are vibrant and dark green in color. Avoid bunches with yellowing or wilted leaves.
Furikake seasoning: Choose your favourite blend. From wasabi to yuzu, there are so many varieties!
Neutral oil
Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips Options and Substitutions
Want to mix things up with this recipe? Feel free to…
- Use other types of furikake, like wasabi or curry
- Try different oils, such as olive oil or avocado oil
- Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes.
- Experiment with adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder or smoked paprika to your furikake seasoning for extra flavour complexity.
- Pair your furikake fries with dipping sauces like garlic aioli.
How to Make Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
Let’s make this dish!
Prepare the kale. Thoroughly wash and dry fresh kale leaves. Discard the tough stems and tear the leaves into large bite-sized pieces because they will shrink. In a bowl, lightly coat the kale pieces with a drizzle of olive oil – just enough to help the seasoning adhere.
Add furikake. Sprinkle the seasoning over the kale. Mix and ensure each piece is evenly coated.
Air fry the kale. Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the seasoned kale pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook at around 400°F for 4 minutes or until the kale is crispy and slightly golden brown, shaking them halfway through. Keep an eye on them as they can quickly go from perfectly crispy to overly browned. Enjoy!
Storage and Reheating Tips
I recommend making a portion that will be consumed in one sitting. Placing kale chips in a sealed container can create condensation, leading to sogginess. If you have extra, reheat in the air fryer in a single layer for 3-5 minutes until crispy.
Make Ahead Options
You can thoroughly wash and dry fresh kale leaves, ensuring they’re free of any moisture a day in advance. Tear the leaves into large bite-sized pieces, discarding the tough stems. Store in a sealed container.
Recipe Tips
Opt for kale leaves that are vibrant, firm, crisp and dark green in color. Avoid bunches with yellowing or wilted leaves.
Wash the kale leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. After washing, dry the leaves completely as excess moisture can lead to soggy chips.
Tear the kale leaves into large bite-sized pieces, keeping in mind that they will shrink slightly in the end.
Lightly oil the kale leaves. Too much oil can make the chips greasy and prevent them from crisping up properly.
Preheat the air fryer before adding the kale. This ensures they start cooking immediately and promotes crispiness.
To ensure even cooking, arrange the seasoned kale leaves in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding the basket can result in uneven cooking and soggy chips.
The air fryer uses air to cook the food. Place a rack on top to avoid the kale flying and to prevent the kale getting caught in the heating element.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the kale chips in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Flip or shake the kale chips halfway through the cooking time for uniform crisping.
Keep a close eye on the kale chips towards the end of the cooking time, as they can quickly go from perfectly crispy to burnt. Adjust the cooking time as needed based on your air fryer and the desired level of crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does furikake taste like? Furikake is a versatile Japanese condiment and consists of a blend of dried seaweed, sesame seeds, sugar and salt. Its umami-packed profile adds depth and complexity to various dishes, from rice to fish and, yes, even kale!
What do Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips taste like? The combination of the earthy kale’s crispiness and furikake’s umami-rich, slightly salty taste creates an addictive snack that’s hard to resist.
Are Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips healthy? Kale packs on vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, making it the perfect snack.
Does kale lose nutrients in the air fryer? While some nutrient loss may occur during cooking, it is relatively minimal in the air fryer compared to other cooking methods because of its short cooking time.
Hungry for More Furikake Recipes?
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Lastly, if you make my Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a star rating! I love to hear from you guys and respond to each and every comment. Also, don’t forget to tag me @cookwith.chopsticks and #cookwithchopsticks on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you have made makes me sooooo happy! You can also follow along on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Pinterest.
Air Fryer Furikake Kale Chips
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Medium bowl
Ingredients
- 5 cups kale torn into large bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp neutral oil canola
- 2 tsp furikake seasoning
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and dry fresh kale leaves. Discard the tough stems and tear the leaves into large bite-sized pieces because they will shrink. In a bowl, lightly coat the kale pieces with a drizzle of olive oil – just enough to help the seasoning adhere.
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the kale. Mix and ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer at 400°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the seasoned kale pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Cook at around 400°F for 4 minutes or until the kale is crispy and slightly golden brown, shaking them halfway through. Keep an eye on them as they can quickly go from perfectly crispy to overly browned. Enjoy!
