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Lightly seasoned with olive oil and garlic, this simple but flavorful roasted kale is absolutely irresistible. The oven-roasted method gives the kale deliciously crispy edges, brings out its natural sweetness, and turns it into a tasty side dish fit for holidays or anytime.

Overhead view of a large sheet pan holding leaves of bright green roasted kale on a neutral tablecloth.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

Oven-roasted kale is maybe the best way to enjoy kale. It’s high on the list, at least! Unlike sautéeing, the roasting method makes the kale super tender while also giving it beautifully crisp edges. If you like sautéed kale and kale chips, you’ll love roasted kale!
The cooking process couldn’t be easier. Roughly chop the kale, wash it and dry it really well, season it, then spread it out on a sheet pan. Bake 10 minutes, stirring at least once so it doesn’t burn, and enjoy!
Feeding a group with a variety of dietary needs? Go with roasted kale. It’s naturally low calorie, low carb, keto, paleo, Whole30, dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan. On top of all that, it’s just nutritious in general, earning itself a superfood label thanks to all its vitamins and nutrients.

Chef’s Tips

This method works for any kind of kale. Whether you prefer curly kale (green or red) or lacinato kale (also called Tuscan or dinosaur kale), it’ll work the same. Curly kale is a little more peppery and sort of bitter, while lacinato is a little sweeter, but overall the taste is similar, so don’t stress if you can only find one type.
To get crispy edges, you’ll need to make sure the kale is dried really well before tossing it in the oil. If it isn’t, it’ll mostly steam in the oven instead of roasting. A salad spinner is the best tool to dry kale, but if you don’t have one, that’s ok. Just spread the wet kale out on paper towels or a clean dish towel, blot them gently to remove all the extra moisture, then let the kale air-dry for about 30 minutes.
We’re aiming for roasted kale here, not kale chips, so be careful not to overcook it. Pay attention when you take it out of the oven to stir it. You’ll see the kale shrink and the edges get crispy, but as soon as you see a little brown it’s time to stop cooking. Overcooked kale can taste a little bitter and end up tough, so you definitely want to avoid that.

A sheet pan, angled across the field of view, holding bright green leaves of roasted kale with a pair of silver tongs.

More Delicious Oven-Roasted Recipes

Recipe By: Priscilla Lawrence

Roasted Kale

Prep 15

Cook 10

Total 25

Chopped kale seasoned with olive oil and garlic is oven-roasted to perfection for an easy, 15-minute side dish.

4 servings

Equipment

Cutting board
Knife
salad spinner
Large bowl
large baking sheet 2 if needed
Tongs or wooden spoon

Ingredients

▢ 2 medium bunches kale curly or Tuscan, approximately 12 ounces
▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 2-3 cloves garlic minced, or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
▢ salt to taste
▢ freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit. Adjust oven racks as needed so one rack is positioned in middle of oven.
With sharp knife, cut kale leaves away from stem. Discard stem. Loosely stack or roll kale leaves, then roughly chop kale into medium-to-large pieces.
Transfer chopped kale to salad spinner. Rinse kale thoroughly under running water. Drain well, then spin kale in salad spinner until completely dry. If necessary, spread kale leaves out on paper towels and pat dry.
Transfer kale to large mixing bowl. Add olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss ingredients until kale is completely coated with oil and spices.
Transfer kale onto baking sheet and spread pieces out into one even layer. Divide kale between 2 baking sheets as needed depending on size of pans and amount of kale.
Place baking sheet on middle rack in preheated oven. Cook 5 minutes, then remove baking sheet from oven and carefully stir kale with tongs or wooden spoon. Return baking sheet to oven and cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until kale is wilted with crisp edges.
When kale is crispy, remove baking sheet from oven. Transfer kale to serving bowl or plate and serve immediately.

Storage: Leftover roasted kale can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1servingCalories: 94calProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 45mgPotassium: 302mgTotal Carbs: 4gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gNet Carbs: 0gVitamin A: 8496IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 219mgIron: 1mg