This is a good recipe to get kids eating kale, one of the most nutrient dense greens in the world. Kale is quite tough, and not always easy to mix in with main meals so for those who aren’t (yet) a big kale fan, or for those who are trying to get their kids to eat more greens, why not turn your curly kale leaves into crunchy crisps. It’s a great way of using up carrot tops too which often go to waste.
Very easy, quick and so delicious – and popular with kids at Hungerford Youth Club and Hungerford Primary School!
Ingredients
Approx 200gm curly kale leaves or carrot tops
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil
0.5 teaspoon salt
Optional flavouring: garlic/onion powder, curry powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, nutritional yeast flakes (provides a cheesy flavour)
Method
1. Preheat the oven/air fryer to 150°C
2. Rip leaves off the stalks and place in large bowl. Compost the stalks or put in your food waste bin.
3. Drizzle oil over the leaves and mix with your hands. Sprinkle salt and other flavourings and mix quickly until evenly coated. Don’t spend too long mixing though as the kale may go limp!
4. Put leaves directly into air fryer drawer or spread the leaves in a single layer on your baking tray to cook in oven for approximately 8 – 12 minutes until crisp but not too brown. Halfway through, stir leaves on baking tray or shake the air fryer drawer to help them cook evenly. And check they don’t burn.
5. As soon as they are crisp serve immediately. But they will also store in an airtight container.
Did you know?
Kale is a fantastic source of calcium and magnesium both of which are necessary for strong bones. It’s also loaded with vitamin A, C, K, B6 and folate which are good for eyes, immunity, skin, blood and the brain! Oh and it’s so tough because it is full of fibre which is really good for your digestion.
Carrot greens also contain an impressive list of nutrients, including significant amounts of vitamins A, C & K, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium and iron. These greens also contain various phenolic compounds and carotenoids, along with trace amounts of other antioxidants.
Top Tip
Kale crisps will work in an air fryer without any oil at all. But you need to eat them quickly or keep them in an air tight container otherwise they will re-hydrate and become chewy.
