Spicy almond butter kale chips

Not really, but 8 was my limit for the day. I had all of the odds in my favor (beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery, woke up on my own before the alarm went off), but it was a tough run. Sabino kills me every time, and I had to add an extra little loop at the end to make it an even 8. That was enough for me.

Photo

Sabino, you look so nice but you hurt so badly.

Looks can be deceiving, huh?

Kale

Like kale… you look (and smell) kinda stinky, but you taste so good. 

Today’s afternoon snack: Spicy Almond Butter Kale Chips. 

Kale chips

I almost always dehydrate my kale chips, but wanted to make some using the oven. Not only is it much quicker, it also defers me from eating the entire batch before they’re done “cooking” (sneaking things out of the oven is far less convenient than the dehydrator). When I tried to think of a flavor combo, I just had to listen to the tiny voice in my brain that says “almond butter… almond butter” all the livelong day.

Word to the wise: you may want to make a double batch- they won’t last long.

Spicy Almond Butter Kale Chips

-1 bunch of kale, washed

-2 T almond butter

-1 t sesame oil

-1 t soy sauce, Tamari or Nama Shoyu

-1/4 t garlic powder

-1/4 t sea salt. 

-cayenne

1. Preheat the oven to 325 and spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray or olive oil. While the oven is heating, prep the kale:

Cut the rib out of the middle (you can save it for juicing, if you like)

Kale 2

(I cut everything using steak knives instead of the fancy chef knives I have. I have no idea why.)

tear the rest into chip-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.

2. Make the sauce. Combine the almond butter, sesame oil (coconut or olive oil is great, too), soy sauce and seasonings, but not the salt, in a small bowl. Whisk with a fork to combine and then pour over the kale.

Sauce

3. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy! Use your hands to massage the sauce into the kale, coating each piece. It may not seem like a lot of sauce for the amount of kale, but less is better in this case (too much sauce weighs down the kale and it won’t get crispy)

4. Spread the kale chips in an even layer on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt. I also like to add a little smoked paprika.

Kale 3

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until crisp and glorious.  

Hope you enjoy! <3

Have you had kale chips before? I have a couple other recipes here, and Trader Joe’s recently started selling them, too. 

xoxo

G

New on the Family page: Adios, cloth

Post Navigation:

35 Comments

  1. Erica { EricaDHouse.com } on October 22, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Thank you for writing up this tutorial! Everyone raves about Kale chips but it hasn’t been cool enough yet in Florida to turn the oven on – I can’t wait to try these soon!

  2. Brooke (beinvivacious.blogspot.com) on October 22, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    hey, 8 isn’t too shabby.
    Those kale chips are clever. Maybe I’ll try them out. Thanks 🙂

  3. Emily @ Have Your Cake And on October 22, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    I have never made kale chips and I think this might be the recipe to take me over to the dark (green) side!! Yay 🙂

  4. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on October 22, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    You make the best kale chips! My stepmom bought a dehydrator and we make kale chips all the time because of your recipes. Thanks so much!

  5. Brittany on October 22, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    Kale chips never last long around here. I’ve honestly made a batch in the dehydrator that was gone before they were completely done because of all my “tasting” to see if they were done. Oops.

  6. Alexis @ Hummusapien on October 22, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    I love love love TJ’s new kale chips! I eat them all in one sitting so I wish they weren’t $3.99 🙁 I’ll definitely be trying this yummy almond butter version!

  7. Yaara on October 22, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    Great job on the 8!! You’ll make it to 10 and more next time. Yes those hills look killer. I wish Chicago had some more hills–but it’s generally pretty flat. You should be proud that you got out there. Running is difficult and 8 is still a great success! You go girl!

  8. Jess on October 22, 2012 at 9:45 pm

    What temperature do you bake them at? I use steak knives to cut Everything! I just don’t like those big crazy knives. Haha.

    • Fitnessista on October 22, 2012 at 9:47 pm

      325. Glad I’m not the only one 😉

  9. Stacy on October 22, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    Glad to know they are great in the oven too. I have been scared to try them in the oven!

  10. Elizabeth M. on October 22, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    OMG OMG OMG! Your kale chip recipes are always my favorite! I cannot WAIT to try this recipe. I also love that there’s no soaking cashews involved. I have a tendency to want kale chips *rightnow* so cook time is long enough!

  11. Elizabeth @ AsToldByASassyGinger on October 22, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    I’ve had kale chips once. They’re something I can’t really get on board with – they’re a little too thin and flimsy for me. I’ve always been more of a sweet girl than a salty girl though, so I don’t crave chips, be they potato, kale, or otherwise.

  12. Averie @ Averie Cooks on October 22, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I love that you made AB kale chips! I’ve made chocolate kale chips….need to make a PB version I think! They sound awesome.

    Congrats on 8! And wow that opening shot is just stunning!!!

  13. Amanda @ .running with spoons. on October 22, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I’ve always been curious about kale chips but never actually tried them. I think you’ve convinced me to give them a shot with this recipe though. I’ve had the combination of nut butter and soy sauce in a few stir fry recipes that I’ve made, and it’s probably one of my favorite things ever.

    • Fitnessista on October 22, 2012 at 10:48 pm

      it’s one of my favorite combos too 🙂

  14. Giselle@ahealthyhappyhome on October 22, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    Oooh these look so good! Can’t wait to try them out! Thanks for posting and great job on your run! 8 is better than none 🙂

  15. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy on October 22, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Nice work, Gina! 8 is a lot better than nothing. 🙂

  16. Allison @ Train Eat Repeat on October 22, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    those kale chips sound so good! i may need to whip up a batch or two
    8miles, i’m jealous! i can’t wait to get back to running after insanity, i’m hoping it will help though!

  17. Nicole on October 22, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    Sounds like such a crazy combo – but it’s so tempting! I’m going to try it in the dehydrator, though. Just don’t tell my hubby that I’m rubbing AB on his juicing kale 🙂

    Thanks for the recipe!! Happy Monday!

    • Fitnessista on October 22, 2012 at 11:57 pm

      i won’t say a word 😉 let me know how they turn out!

  18. Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin on October 23, 2012 at 12:14 am

    I’ve never tried kale chips but always see them at the store and think about getting them! I think I like anything with almond butter though, so these will definitely be the first kind of kale chip I eat 🙂

  19. Sonal on October 23, 2012 at 6:00 am

    I’ve only ever made kale chips one time and it was so good! I usually use kale for green monsters but i’m going to try this recipe out 🙂 thank you!

  20. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on October 23, 2012 at 8:37 am

    If anything is going to get me to like kale more it is almond butter! Awesome recipe!

  21. Grace @ Practicing Grace on October 23, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I have a biggggg bag of kale that’s begging to be turned into some chips 🙂 and juuices

  22. Sylvia on October 23, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Those Kale Chips look delicious! I’ve always wondered if baking kale or dehydrating, makes it lose it’s nutrition value, what do you think?

  23. Kimberly on October 23, 2012 at 9:44 am

    Perfect timing! I have an organic produce box that gets delivered once a week with random fruits/veggies….this week kale is on the list of veggies that is coming! Will def be trying this tomorrow once my box is delivered! Thanks!

  24. Jenn on October 23, 2012 at 9:48 am

    i can’t wait to get home to make those!! the prepackaged kale from TJ’s…would you say one bag is about equivalent to one bunch? they make my life so easy with it already being torn up! I just have to rip off the stems 🙂

    • Fitnessista on October 23, 2012 at 10:09 am

      i’d do about half a bag- those are pretty hefty 🙂 enjoy!!

  25. Cara @ I Don't Believe in Diets on October 23, 2012 at 10:09 am

    That kale looks amazing. Great idea!

  26. heidi kokborg on October 23, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Have to try kale chips! 🙂

  27. Leah @ DeLeahLicious on October 23, 2012 at 10:26 am

    Gina! I cut everything with a steak knife too….my family makes fun of me all the time. Glad you do the same!

  28. Tiffany on October 23, 2012 at 10:44 am

    good job!!!!

  29. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on October 23, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I’m always so boring with my kale chips – I just use EVO and salt. 😛 Thiscombo sounds awesome though and I’m definitely going to try it out!

  30. Meghan @ After the Ivy League on October 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    It’s awesome to read about you hitting your limit running, choosing to stop, and being totally fine with it. Even though you didn’t make your 10-mile plan for the day. It’s so much smarter to listen to your body and stop when you need to, I think a lot of people forget that!

  31. Michelle on October 23, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    I made the kale chips today and they were soooo good! Thanks for the awesome recipes!

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.