Raw Vegan Garlic Kale Chips
52My litmus test for any of my raw vegan recipes is to feed them to my friend Joann, who proudly professes “I don’t eat healthy!” If she sticks her snout in my trough without any complaining, and returns for more, I know I have a winner. I am staying with her in Arizona this week, and brought some of my raw kale chips as a snack. When I woke up the first morning to find half the bag empty, and a note that read “I need this recipe!!!!!” I thought it was worthy of a post! She did insist I attach a disclaimer – “the kale gets stuck in your teeth! You have to floss, but it is so worth it”! The rest of the bag is long gone, and she has ordered an Excalibur dehydrator with much excited anticipation.
I served these garlic kale chips up to my whole food bedfellows (AKA Lois, Elaine and Sharon) the other night to rave reviews. But only a declaration of piggy joy from a cream dreamer and self professed toxic omnivore would qualify as a satisfactory acid test. So thankyou Joann – for supplying the much needed tick of approval that inspired me to send these raw kale chips out into the mainstream culinary world with absolute confidence.
For those of you not familiar with raw kale chips – welcome to piggy snack nirvana! Raw foodists, vegans, health nuts, or those in “the green know” chow down happily on a handful of fresh raw kale chips as a green, nutritious alternative to conventional potato chips. They are not fried or baked; free from all of the carcinogens, additives and preservatives that plague most shrivelled potato chip packets; they are dehydrated, which preserves all of their natural enzymes and nutrients; and most importantly, they are absolutely scrumptious. I promise you -- these raw kale chips are to die for! Or at least that is what I have been told by the hoards of happy piggies that have desperately returned to this trough snorting for more.
I thought it was appropriate that I post these garlic kale chips today as a great way to utilize the basic cashew cheese, which serves as the perfect rub in this green merger. Looking for a quick easy food processor recipe? Just throw everything into your food processor and massage with love into the raw kale. The secret to finishing this recipe off with that extra special touch? Tossing through the granulated garlic at the end. It just gives these garlic kale chips a depth of flavour that is missing if you don’t finish it off this way.
Raw kale chips are a cinch to make and they are loaded with nutrients. If you are looking for allergy free recipes that make a great healthy snack this fantastic these kale chips fit the bill. They are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free and sugar free. If you are nut free, or don’t want the expense or added time of using raw cashews, I have attached an alternative blend underneath the main garlic kale chip recipe, which is quick and easy, nut free, and just as delicious. Alternatively, you can toss any variety of kale with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and any herbs and spices of your choice to create all kinds of other delectable flavours. Try some chilli and salt, or apple cider vinegar and sea salt. YUM! Don’t worry if you don’t have an Excalibur dehydrator -- you can slow cook kale chips in your oven on the very lowest setting for about 8-12 hours.
Give these garlic kale chips a go for your next snack attack. Toxic treaters far and wide will be green with envy!
Raw Vegan Garlic Kale Chips
- 1 large bunch of curly green kale – about 8 firmly packed cups
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in filtered water for 2 – 4 hours (soaking is optional)
- 1/8 cup filtered water as needed for desired consistency
- 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast to taste
- 1 whole bulb of garlic (about 8-10 cloves) chopped roughly
- 1 tsp Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt
- 1 Tbsp raw agave nectar (optional)
- 4 teaspoons granulated garlic
- Rip the kale from off the stalks (discard the stalks), wash and place in a colander to drain. You want a little bit of water left on the kale.
- Transfer to a large bowl.
- Place all the ingredients except the granulated garlic in a food processor until smooth, thick and creamy. You want something like the consistency of hummus. You might need to add a little bit more water.
- Take small handfuls of the cashew cheese and massage into the kale. I use kitchen gloves for this. Repeat this until all of the mixture has been added and the kale is evenly coated with no large clumps of “cheese”.
- Toss through the granulated garlic so that it is evenly distributed.
- Place the kale evenly on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate at 115 degrees for about 8 hours until crisp.
If you don’t have a dehydrator you can place them on baking sheets in the oven on the lowest setting for about 10-12 hours.
Nut Free version
- 1 large bunch or curly green kale – about 8 firmly packed cups
- 2 1/2 Tbsp cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt
- 3 tsp extra granulated garlic (to toss through)
- Rip the kale from the stalks (discard the stalks), wash, and place in a colander to drain slightly. You want a little bit of water left on the kale.
- Stir all of the other ingredients (except the extra garlic) together in a bowl.
- Massage the mixture into the wet kale.
- Sprinkle the extra granulated garlic onto the kale and toss through.
- Place in your Excalibur dehydrator on 105 degrees for about 4-6 hours until crispy.
Piggy Cooking Tips
how to select and store kale
To select the best tasting kale with the highest nutritional density look for varieties that have bright rich coloured leaves that are firm and energetic. The stems should be moist and crisp. Buy organic wherever possible and avoid leaves that are wilted, discoloured, bruised or have holes. Kale is very delicate and will become yellow, bitter, and lose much of its nutritional properties very quickly if not stored correctly. Do not wash the kale, but rather, enclose it in a plastic bag taking out as much of the air as possible. Then store in a cold fridge for up to five days. The Tupperware vegetable storers with the “breathers” are phenomenal for storing kale! For all of you fellow “tupper-tarts” out there – you know what I am talking about!
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Piggy Grunts!
Add Your GruntLoved these chips! I think I could have eaten the kale and “cashew cheese” as a raw salad. The lowest setting on my gas oven is 200 degrees, so I wound up baking them for 40 minutes (by accident) rather than dehydrating. Still came out crunchy and delicious!
I did that before I had a dehydrator too!
I will take these kale chips any way I can get them….and yes! This tastes amazing as a side salad too. Thanks for sharing :)
Wow! These are some of the best Kale chips I have had. I started buying them at Whole Foods to keep in my car for snacks. But these are so much better! I have another batch in drying now.
Aw…thankyou.
I am so flattered.
I really love this recipe too :)
I don’t have a dehydrator but made these in my oven on the lowest setting like you said. Have never been a fan of kale…but am now! WOW! I couldn’t stop eating them!
I am so glad these turned you onto the wonders of kale! Try the pistachio kale smoothie now! That will have you grabbing for the kale every day!!! LOL!
These are so good I cannot stop eating them. I am so glad I found your site in Raw Super Life magazine.
I am so glad you found me too!
I LOVE the folks at Raw Super Life!
MIchele is AMAZING!
These are incredible! The only problem is that you can’t stop eating them…...
Tried the recipe with red cabbage & walnuts and… well, how come it’s all gone? Gotta make some more. Again. :)
Oh wow! Thanks for sharing that little magic pearl! I am going to try that for sure!
These are incredible! I brought these to a gathering of S.A.D. eaters and they ALL loved it! They were clamoring for the recipe and asked me how I made this. I explained where I got it. I sing your praises for this recipe. I suggest quadrupling the sauce recipe. I used the nut free version of the recipe. I LOVE THESE KALE CHIPS!!! I could have easily sat down and eaten an entire tray of these things. Thanks for sharing your kitchen expertise with us.
LOL! I am so pleased you and your “S.A.D” friends are all enjoying these chips. This is one of my favourite recipes. I LOVE quadrupling the sauce idea…you can’t have enough of that stuff :)
I had never tried Kale before! But these chips were to die for!
These ARE incredible! I agree with the other comments. You have to make a quadruple batch because you can’t stop eating them. These are the best kale chips I have found out there. Thankyou so much :)
I can’t stop making these chips. They are so tasty and much better for you than potato chips. I am a fan….“Hmmmm - Kale chips”
Yes! They are SO much better than potato chips! But I wish they lasted longer! He He He!
I love kale. I love it steamed, I imagine it would be good fried or with ice cream, but in this case, baked with stuff all over it - it is nothing short of brilliant.
I took a bite, moaning in food ecstasy, and hubby tentatively approaches and pops one in his mouth. “honey, don’t eat any more of those. They’re gross.” He says as he pushes me out of the way to stuff more in his mouth. This one is MADE of WIN!
LOL! That is HILARIOUS!
I have had a similar scenario in my house :)
Hey Victoria! SORRY! I have just revised the instructions and noted down that you set the dehydrator at 115 degrees.
Looks fantastic, but what is “nutritional yeast”. I’m in Australia.
Hey Piggy Carol.
They are called “savoury yeast flakes” in Australia.
They are widely available at health food stores and some grocery stores in Australia.
Nutritional yeast replicates a slight cheesy flavour in vegan foods.
You can also use yellow mustard powder.
Looks exciting! My kids would surely love to have this. Thanks for sharing! :)
Yes! These are fantastic for children minus a bit of the garlic. LOL!
Love, love, love the kale chips! This recipe kickstarted my love affair with kale. Since trying this recipe I’ve tried other versions but this cashew rub version is the best! I spice up my version with a few shakes of chili powder & cayenne and I’m in kale heaven! Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
LOL! My love affair with kale was also fanned with these chips! SO glad you loved them too.
LOVE the addition of chili powder and cayenne. Piggy Heaven indeed :) Oink Oink!
Hey there
OMG these are wonderful - first time i have tried making any kind of chip and this is addictive ;-)
Even my sister liked them and asked for the recipe -now that´s first….
They are almost gone and made them yesterday. Will try the other variations also ;-)
Healthy garlic kale breath from Denmark !!!
Rikke
Eh
LOL! Rikke, that made me laugh so hard!
That is wonderful! I know! They are hard to keep around in the house for very long. I always make a double batch!
So glad you are enjoying them :)
Thanks for the lovely comments.
This is a fantastic recipe. So flavorful and satisfying. I loved massaging the kale. Very therapeutic.
LOL! Hilary, I feel EXACTLY the same way.
So glad you are enjoying making these.
They are SO yummy :)
FINALLY! A great kale chip recipe. They are delicious (but I’ll have to tone down the garlic if I want anyone to talk to me today. Ha!)
LOL Stephanie!
Yes, they are a bit that way aren’t they?!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I really appreciate all of your comments on FB too.
Try the sundried tomato kale chips too.
They are AH-MAZING!
After years of wanting one, I finally got my dehydrator.
I’m trying this recipe tonight!
I love your site!!
WOO HOO!!!!
I am so thrilled for you that you got a dehydrator!!! You are going to LOVE it!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of these kale chips. I LOVE them :)
I made this a couple of weeks ago. so YUMMY!!
And so nice to NOT pay a small fortune for them. :)
I’m finally amassing all of the kitchen tools I need. I already had a water bath canner, but I didn’t realize how limiting that was, so I got a pressure canner. I also got a dehydrator, a yogurt maker and as I mentioned in a different comment, I’m finally getting my vitamix :)
WONDERFUL! So glad you enjoyed these!
I CANNOT get enough of these kale chips!
LOVE all of your kitchen gear!
You are totally stocked up and ready for ANYTHING now!
Enjoy that Vitamix! WOO HOO!
Oooooo! These look absolutely delicious and easy to make! Thanks!
I introduced my daughter to these this Aug. She could not stop eating them. Then along came 6 yr. old grandson… he gobbled and gobbled them gone and asked for more!!! Neither of them had ever had kale! I convinced her to intoduce it in soups and smoothies. SO, SO, SO…... GOOD!!!!!!! Thanks for the recipes and all the grunts from all. Tracy
I LOVE hearing stories like this Tracy! I am SO pleased this recipe is a hit with everyone. Have you tried the alkaline tomato kale chip recipe without the spice? That one would be GREAT too! Thanks for taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. I really appreciate it.
These are definitely worth the effort and wait! You will want to eat them all at one sitting….. Love the garlic and the crunch! They are addictive, so be prepared. :)
I am so glad you enjoyed them!