The Great Oven Ban Challenge (Day 2) in collaboration with Home Spares.
If you told me ten years ago that I’d sit there and devour an entire bowl of kale in one sitting, happily, I’d have laughed at you. Kale crisps are now one of my favourite treats and now, thanks to owning my own dehydrator, I can make them myself at home!
I tried, a few years ago, to make kale crisps in my own oven, and they were awful. This was in my pre-kale eating days, before my Turriefield veg box got me hooked on the tasty green stuff. I’d bought a bag of supermarket kale, attempted to dry it out in the oven and… I now realise, I’d cooked it instead of dehydrating it, which is why it tasted bitter and not even remotely palatable.
These little morsels of paprika and chilli spiked awesomeness, on the other hand – totally moreish. You’d never know you were eating a bowl of what is often considered a healthy superfood.
To make these I used the Severin Fruit Dehydrator a budget German-made fruit dehydrator with five drying racks. At first glance the dehydrator looked rather flimsy, and I wasn’t particularly enamoured with the fact the German plug had a UK adaptor fitted to it. I first tried the dehydrator out with some over-ripe Piccolo cherry tomatoes from our village shop. Any ones that didn’t burst when halved were placed, cut side up, on the drying racks and left to dehydrate for 10 hours.
At first the whirring sound of the dehydrator was rather loud and distracting, but I eventually got used to it and could tune it out.
I realised, a little too late, that the initial ten hour drying time recommended in the pamphlet accompanying the dehydrator was for full sized tomatoes and so I ended up with rather dried little half tomatoes, a bit like crunchy tomato croutons, but still, they were little bursts of awesome concentrated piccolo cherry tomato flavour. In a bid to slightly rehydrate them I covered them in olive oil infused with basil and threw in a few peeled garlic cloves.
A wholly successful experiment which lasted about a week in the fridge. I dipped into them frequently to top my salads, drizzling the basil and garlic infused olive oil over my salad as a dressing.
My next experiment, these chilli and paprika spiked kale crisps, has sold me on the idea of owning a dehydrator even though it’s a bit large and cumbersome and I don’t want it living on my counter top. It’ll be a back of the cupboard appliance I’ll bring out when inspired. I’m thinking perhaps seaweed next? My fellow food blogger Choclette over at Tin & Thyme recently dehydrated nettles and ground them into a fine powder to use in her smoothies. I need to try this too!
In the meantime, here’s the recipe I tried for the kale crisps, provided by Home Spares. They don’t have this particular product on their website, but you can get it from Amazon for just over £50.
Chilli & Paprika Spiked Kale Crisps
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash the kale and discard any tough stalks. Tear the kale into small bite sized pieces.
- Place into a bowl and drizzle with a tablespoon or two of good quality olive oil. Use your hands to coat the kale leave well.
- Sprinkle the kale with the spices and use your hands to toss to coat well.
- Arrange the coated kale leaves on the racks of a dehydrator, pop the lid on and leave for 3-5 hours until the kale is dry and crispy.
- Allow to cool and store in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Click here to view the nutrition information for this recipe (made using 2 Tbsp olive oil)
OTHER DEHYDRATOR RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
Cinnamon Dusted Apple Rings by Hedgecomber
Spiced Aubergine Crisps by Fuss Free Flavours
Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary was sent a selection of Severin kitchen appliances, pictured above, from Home Spares for the purposes of The Great Oven Ban Challenge to show how a few small appliances can transform your kitchen into something worthy of Masterchef. This is not a paid post and all thoughts and opinions expressed are our own.
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Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
rachael says
i really want a dehydrator – do you think you’ll use it long term?
i’m also a big fan of kale crisps, to be honest, it’s the best that kale is ever going to taste lol
Laura H says
I didn’t know dehydraters were a thing! I love Kale crisps so I’ll have to have a look at getting one of these 🙂
Jo says
I’ve wanted a dehydrator since that The Apprentice episode! These looks so tasty.
Leanne says
Ah my work colleague has bought of these! She’s always snacking on beetroot!
The London Mum says
I like the idea of a dehydrator as I always burn kale in the oven, so I just don’t make the chips now which is a shame.
Laura | Wandercooks says
Wow what a cool idea, these look so delicious. I’ve tried to make them before in the oven but they do go just that bit too bitter. In the dehydrator they seem to stay much brighter and greener as well as crispier – very tempted to run out and grab one! (Especially seeing your gorgeous tomatoes too!)
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
I’m so tempted by a dehydrator for fruits as well as kale chips. I have made kale chips using the deep fry method and whilst they taste divine they can hardly keep their healthy connotations 😉
Tori Gabriel says
These sound really yummy which I never expected to say about kale. I would love to give them a try but I don’t own a dehydrator.
Life as Mum says
I have not tried these before but they look really delicious x
Tanya Brannan says
i absolutely love the sound of these, but don’t have a dehydrator. I honestly don’t think I would use it enough to justify the cost 🙁
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I always used to think kale chips were a weird fad as well, but I LOVE crispy kale now. The flavour changes so much when it gets crispy!
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
These kale crisps sound so flavourful! Can’t wait to give these a try!
Sarah says
I’ve been wanting to try kale crisps for a while now. They sound healthy, tasty and worth making!
shelby says
I had a dehydrator years ago but gave it to my mom. Now your making me think I need one again! I do love kale chips and I love the flavors you have and what you did in this recipe.
Fashion and Style Police says
I am yet to try Kale Chips. I think I should now after reading this post.
just Jo says
I’m late to the party and haven’t tried kale chips still but I really must. I love a gadget and a dehydrator is on my list!
Anosa says
I am not big of kale but the kale crisps I like weirdly enough as I feel it taste better like that lol
Liz Mays says
Oh I really like the kale crisps idea. I just picked up some kale the other day too!
Ana De- Jesus says
I have never tried kale chips and I am not usually a fan of kale but I feel like the paprika might make it taste real good!
Harriet from Toby & Roo says
I was thinking about buying a dehydrator, but for placenta not veggies! I changed my mind at the last minute! H x
Cathy Glynn says
These look so delicious and I could quite happily sit and eat the bowl full. Unfortunately I have not got space in my kitchen for another appliance lol x
Sarah Bailey says
Ohh these sound delicious – I have to admit I am a fan of kale so I would love to try these x
Rachel says
Ooh now these sound absolutely delightful, I love Paprika on anything x
Melanie Edjourian says
This sounds yummy, I now want a dehydrator too what a great gadget.
Rhian Westbury says
I’ve tried kale crisps before but not really thought about making my own. I’ve never been too good with vegetable crisps as I either make them soggy or rock solid x
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I am obsessed with kale crisps, although I have never done them in a dehydrator – maybe I will give that a go. I love adding chilli to mine. I add chilli to everything though haha.
MsPrettyLThings says
I recently had Kale Crisps at my cousins house but she never used a fancy dehydrator that you have. I must find out how she did hers and pass on your chilli spiked recipe