Okay, I know what you're thinking...but these toddler friendly kale chips are proof that sometimes toddlers just need veggies in a different form. With just three ingredients, you can turn a bunch of kale into light, cheesy-flavored chips that toddlers actually get excited about! They’re ready in about 15 minutes, customizable with different flavors, and the perfect way to add a boost of veggies to snack time.
Why You & Your Toddler Will Love These
- customizable – switch up the flavor to keep toddlers interested, plus these are allergen-friendly that way anyone can enjoy them
- 3 ingredients – olive oil, nutritional yeast, and kale (that’s it!)
- crispy & fun – feels like chips, but made from greens
- nutrient-packed – kale is loaded with vitamin k, vitamin c, calcium, and iron
- easy to make – done in 15 minutes start to finish
Jump to:
- Why You & Your Toddler Will Love These
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make Your Kale Chips
- Hint For The Best Kale Chips
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How To Serve Kale Chips To Toddlers
- Equipment
- Storing Your Kale Chips
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Toddler Friendly Kale Chips (3 ingredients, easy healthy snack)
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's everything you'll need to make these toddler friendly kale chips:
- kale – the crunchy, vitamin-rich base of the recipe
- olive oil – helps the kale crisp up in the oven
- nutritional yeast – adds a kid-friendly cheesy flavor plus b-vitamins, iron, protein, and fiber
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Your Kale Chips
- Step 1: Wash, dry completely, and remove thick stems. Tear leaves into palm-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Toss and massage kale with olive oil and nutritional yeast until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Spread in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°f for 10–12 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway.
- Step 4: Let chips cool slightly before serving to babies or toddlers.
Hint For The Best Kale Chips
Try and make sure the kale is pretty dry after washing. Any moisture left behind will steam instead of crisp!
Substitutions
Thankfully these kale chips are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and egg-free! Making them a great option for so many little eaters.
- olive oil - avocado oil or melted coconut oil will work
- nutritional yeast - swap for grated parmesan if not dairy-free
Variations
You can totally customize the flavor of these kale chips by using different seasonings!
- cheesy boost: double the nutritional yeast for extra flavor or use grated parmesan cheese instead
- garlic twist: add a light sprinkle of garlic powder before baking
- pizza flavor: add Italian seasoning + garlic powder and pair with marinara dip
How To Serve Kale Chips To Toddlers
- serve whole kale chips in a snack bowl with fruit on the side
- crumble chips over mac & cheese or pasta for a fun crunchy topping
- pack a few in a lunchbox alongside cheese cubes + berries
- pair with crackers and hummus or yogurt dip for a balanced snack
- break into smaller pieces and mix into a trail mix-style snack with puffs or crackers
Equipment
You don’t need much to make these kale chips! Just a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, a mixing bowl to toss the kale with olive oil and nutritional yeast, and a salad spinner or clean dish towel to make sure the leaves are completely dry (this step is key for crispiness!). An air fryer or silicone baking mat can also work if that’s what you have on hand.
Storing Your Kale Chips
These kale chips are honestly best fresh but you can store in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days with a paper towel inside. Re-crisp in the oven or air fryer for 2–3 minutes if needed.
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
Kale is packed with plant-based iron, but our bodies (and our kids’ bodies!) don’t absorb it as well as iron from meat. Pairing kale with a vitamin c-rich food helps boost absorption, like orange slices, strawberries, kiwi, or even bell peppers. Not only does it make the snack more colorful and fun, but it also helps your little one actually use more of the iron from the kale. Small pairing shifts like this can make a big difference in your toddler’s nutrition over time!
FAQ
You'd be shocked, but yes! Babies 6 months and up can try kale chips as part of baby-led weaning, just make sure they crumble easily with minimal pressure. Large chips or pieces will make it easier for babies to self-feed.
Yes! Cook at 325°f in small batches for 6–8 minutes, shaking halfway through. watch closely, they crisp up faster than in the oven.
You can, but remove the thick stems and larger ribs. Baby kale tends to crisp up faster and has a milder flavor toddlers may prefer.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these toddler friendly kale chips:
Toddler Friendly Kale Chips (3 ingredients, easy healthy snack)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch kale washed, dried, stems removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Tear kale into half palm-sized pieces, making sure the leaves are fully dry.
- Toss kale with olive oil and nutritional yeast until evenly coated.
- Spread in a single layer and bake 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp but not burnt. Let cool slightly before serving.
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