Garlic Kale Chips (Vampire Killer Kale Chips Recipe for Dehydrator) (2024)

If you’re a fan of Vampire Killer Kale Chips, you are going to love this crispy garlic kale chips recipe! I took chopped dinosaur kale and gave it a garlic and nutritional yeast-based coating. A (relatively) quick run through the food dehydrator left me with some of the most garlicky kale chips around! Increase your vegetable intake and dig into this phytonutrient-rich snack that is packed with B vitamins.

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There are a few recipes that I’ve hung on to through the years that are back from my vegan days. These garlic kale chips are one example, and I feel they are worthy of sharing.

Be forewarned though- as a copycat of Brad's kale chips, these chips are *extremely* heavy on the garlic. I used double garlic (from both fresh garlic and garlic powder). You can rest assured the vampires will stay away when you are snacking on this.

Your coworkers and family members may want to stay away too. Haha You might want to consider saving this snack for when you aren’t in close quarters with others.

What’s really crazy is that I used to make this recipe with TWICE as much garlic as I have listed below. My helpful recipe testers (i.e., my family) decided this was far (far, far) too much garlic for normal people. Trust me; you are still getting a ton of garlic here.

I picked up my food dehydrator many years ago on Craigslist for around $25. It is an old Nesco American Harvest Food Dehydrator, and I’ve been very happy with it.

Most ovens will not go to the low temperature needed here. However, just about any food dehydrator should work well for this recipe.

🥬 Vampire Killer Kale Chips Recipe

How are Brad’s kale chips made? Here’s how to make the best garlic kale chips dehydrator recipe around:

• 10 ounces dinosaur kale pieces (283 grams)
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• ¼ cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1½ tablespoons almond butter
• salt and black pepper, to taste
• cooking spray of choice

How to Make Garlic Kale Chips

Here are the step-by-step instructions for crispy kale chips:

1. Remove the large stem pieces from the kale and discard them (or save to use in other recipes). Tear the kale into bite-size pieces. Rinse the kale leaves and dry them well with a salad spinner or with paper towels. Tear the kale into bite-size pieces.

2. Mix everything except the kale and oil spray together in a small container. Make sure the ingredients are uniformly mixed into a paste.

3. Add the paste mixture to the kale in a large bowl. Use clean hands to massage the kale and thoroughly combine all of the ingredients. Massage the heck out of the kale; it should look damp! Try to get the paste as evenly spread on the kale leaves as possible.

4. Mist your food dehydrator trays with cooking spray. I needed three trays for this recipe.

5. Spread your coated kale leaves out well in a single layer on the dehydrator trays.

6. Set the food dehydrator to 155F (68C) and let your chips crisp up for 1.5-2 hours. I find that they crisp more evenly when I switch the position of the trays in the dehydrator halfway through cooking time. Separate any clumps as they dry if they aren’t drying evenly. Dehydrators all function a little differently, so feel free to extend the drying time if your chips have not reached peak crispness yet.

7. These homemade garlic kale chips are best enjoyed ASAP after dehydrating.

Do you need to refrigerate kale chips?

If you buy Brad’s veggie chips from the store, you can keep them in a cool, dry place without refrigeration. Unfortunately, these homemade dehydrated kale chips do not store well, as they lose their crispness over time. If you do have leftovers, you should store kale chips in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a paper towel unless they’re completely dry.

If you want to prep kale chips ahead, it’s important to dehydrate them as much as possible. The more moisture they contain, the less time they’ll remain crisp.

➕ Brad’s Kale Chips Nutrition

Here’s a nutrition comparison chart of kale chips from the store vs my homemade kale chip recipe:

Kale is also high in vitamin K. This recipe fits a variety of dietary patterns, from omnivorous keto to gluten free to vegan and many things in between. If you're looking for nutrient-dense healthy snacks, this is a great choice.

Just remember these chips are super garlicky. Consider yourself warned if you happen to be a vampire!

How many carbs are in kale chips?

My homemade Vampire Killer kale chips contain 7.8 grams total carbohydrates and 4.9 grams net carbs per serving. Kale chips can be a good choice for diabetics, whether you’re using carb exchanges or a very low carb diet.

FAQs

Why are my homemade kale chips bitter?

One reason homemade kale chips are bitter is that the kale is old or has been stored improperly. Another reason is that the kale was not thoroughly washed, and residual dirt or pesticides are causing the bitterness. Additionally, if the kale chips are overcooked in the oven, they can become bitter.

How do you get the bitterness out of kale chips?

To avoid bitterness, make sure to use fresh kale, wash it thoroughly, and cook the chips until they are just crispy. You can also try massaging the kale with a little bit of olive oil and salt before baking to help soften the leaves and enhance the flavor.

How do you keep kale chips from getting soggy?

To keep kale chips from getting soggy, massage the kale leaves thoroughly before dehydrating. Additionally, avoid overcrowding the dehydrator, as this can trap moisture and cause the chips to steam rather than crisp up. Finally, store the chips in an airtight container once they are completely cool to help maintain their crispiness.

How to make a garlic kale chips air fryer recipe?

To make garlic kale chips in an air fryer, wash and dry ½ bunch of kale leaves and remove thick stems. Tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces and toss them with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. Arrange the kale in a single layer in an air fryer basket and cook at 350F (177C) for 5-7 minutes or until crispy.

What’s the best kale chip seasoning?

If these lemon garlic kale chips aren’t your thing, you have options! Try Parmesan kale chips, sprinkle cumin, or do spicy kale chips made with chili powder, cayenne spice, or red pepper flakes.

👨‍🍳 Other Kale Recipes

Here are a few more recipes using kale:

• Kale Apple Slaw
• Chick Fil A Kale Crunch Salad
• Martha Stewart Kale Chips
• High Protein Frittata
• Chick Fil A Superfood Salad

📖 Recipe Card

Do you make kale chips as a snack? If so, what are some of your favorite seasonings to add? Do you prefer to dry them out in a food dehydrator or an oven?

Tell me all about your kale chip-making process (if you have one)! Also, please leave a rating if you try this recipe for garlic kale chips. Remember, this crispy chip goodness is for garlic lovers only!

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