There are two ways to ruin kale chips: put them in the oven wet, or drown them in oil. This recipe avoids both. The result is crisp, salty and lemony, with enough nutritional yeast to make the edges savory without feeling like health-food cosplay.
Why this recipe works
- Dry leaves crisp; wet leaves steam. A salad spinner and towel both earn their keep here.
- Massaging a very small amount of oil across the leaves gives better coverage than drizzling.
- Low heat dries the kale evenly before the thin edges burn.
Where the infusion goes
The infused ingredient here is cannabis olive oil. Keep the amount tied to the strength of the infusion you actually have rather than assuming a universal dose. Use the THC potency calculator for the full batch, then divide by the exact yield below.
Crispy Cannabis Kale Chips
Dose deliberately: potency depends on the strength and amount of your infusion. Calculate the complete batch, divide evenly, label infused food clearly and keep it away from children and pets.
Ingredients
- 1 large bunch curly kale
- 1 tablespoon plain olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cannabis-infused olive oil, or an amount matched to your calculated batch strength
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1. Heat the oven to 300°F. Line two large sheet pans with parchment.
- Step 2. Remove the tough kale stems and tear leaves into large pieces. Wash and dry extremely well.
- Step 3. Whisk the plain and infused olive oils together. Drizzle over the kale and massage with your hands until every leaf has the thinnest possible sheen.
- Step 4. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast, garlic powder and salt. Toss again and spread in single layers on the pans.
- Step 5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pans once, until crisp but still mostly green. Cool 5 minutes, then toss with lemon zest and divide into 4 servings.
Make it better
- Tear the leaves into fairly large pieces; they shrink dramatically.
- Rotate the pans if your oven has hot spots.
- Add lemon zest after baking so it stays fragrant.
Potency and portioning
Infused butter, oil and honey vary widely in strength. Calculate the amount of THC in the infused ingredient you use, then divide that total by the stated yield. If you want a lighter batch, use less infused ingredient and replace the difference with its non-infused equivalent. Mix thoroughly before portioning.
Storage and make-ahead
Kale chips are best the day they are made. If needed, store completely cooled chips in a loosely covered container for 1 day.
Questions about Crispy Cannabis Kale Chips
Why are my kale chips soggy?
The leaves were likely still damp or crowded on the pan.
Can I use bagged chopped kale?
Yes, but remove any thick stem pieces and dry the leaves well.
Can I use Parmesan instead of nutritional yeast?
Yes. Finely grated Parmesan works, though it will brown a little faster.