Looking for a super easy and healthy snack? Try these crispy spinach leaves! They're salty and crunchy and only require 3 ingredients. These tasty spinach chips have the perfect amount of oil and spices. They practically melt in your mouth!
When we lived in California, we often could be found enjoying what’s called a Crack Burrito. It has creamy queso, marinated chicken, rice, beans, and crispy kale. That’s right - kale.
It's an authentic California burrito but unlike anything, I've ever had or found elsewhere. It's seriously so good and what dreams are made of. Moving on to our long Midwest winters - when I start to get stir-crazy I make comforting California meals, like this Crack Burrito.
When I went to make it recently we didn’t have any kale so I decided to try to make crispy spinach. And actually, these crispy spinach chips turned out even crispier than our spicy kale chips that I normally put in my burrito! These chips are my new favorite way to eat spinach!
Crispy spinach leaves make a great topping for a wide variety of dishes. If you're looking for something to top with spinach then try these recipes:
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Ingredients and Substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.
Spinach: I like to use baby spinach for this because they're already bite size (more like chip size)!
Substitutions: Any type or size of fresh spinach will work.
Oil: Because of the high temperature the spinach is baked at, avocado oil works best because it has a high burning temperature.
Substitutions: Olive oil, avocado oil, melted duck fat, or melted ghee will work. I don’t like to use vegetable oil because it seems to make the crispy spinach more oily and it lacks nutritional value.
Steak Seasoning: Easy peasy spice! We use a steak seasoning that's mostly made up of sea salt, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and lemon.
Substitutions: Salt and black pepper, taco seasoning, sesame seeds, or any other spice you like can be used to flavor these crispy spinach leaves.
How to Make This - Step by Step
Step one: Prep the oven and pan
Preheat the oven and line a large baking sheet. We recommend using a silicon mat to line a large pan with a wire rack on top. This allows hot air to circulate all around the spinach leaves. If a wire rack isn't used, the spinach won't be as crispy.
Step two: Toss in oil
Toss the spinach in spices and oil in a large bowl. We want them to be fully coated so that every bit ends up crunchy and delicious!
Step three: Lay out the spinach
We want to make sure the leaves all have enough breathing room for air to circulate fully between leaves. This is where the wire rack also helps to ensure air can get underneath the leaves which should be laid in a single layer.
Step four: Bake
Bake the spinach until crispy! Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. This can be hard to tell because their dark green color obscures any golden brown color from baking. Once done, it's also helpful to place the spinach on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
Watch How to Make This - Step by Step
Joy Tip!
The key to crispy spinach leaves is ensuring the hot air can get everywhere! When spacing out the spinach leaves, it's best for them to have ½” space between leaves for the hot air to circulate. Give them their space!
Facts and Common Questions
Oven bake it by using this crispy spinach recipe! Spinach has a very high water content so unless you bake it or fry it to dry it out, it will be soggy.
Spinach is high in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, yes, it's healthy. When you roast it in the oven with avocado oil or olive oil you lose some of the nutrients to heat but it's still a healthy alternative to regular chips! Crispy fried spinach is a little different because it's fried in a lot of oil so not as healthy.
Recipe Variations
You can easily make these crispy spinach chips in various ways and mix up the spices for a whole new flavor profile! You can use these in other recipes or enjoy them as a tasty side dish.
- Air Fryer Spinach: To make air fryer spinach chips, simply follow the same steps listed below but cook in an air fryer for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Taco Spinach Chips: I love to make these with taco seasoning and salt. Then toss with a bit of lime juice after baking!
Want to Save it for Later? Here’s how!
These chips keep very well in the fridge but are not great to keep frozen because the condensation created when thawed will make the spinach soggy.
Fridge: Simply store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Enjoy cold or reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Fun Fact
Spinach is known for its bright green color. The color is so bright that during medieval times the green color was extracted and used as ink for artwork. Now, it is mostly enjoyed as food. 47,500 acres of spinach were harvested in 2016 alone! (source)
More Joyful Recipes!
Looking for more vegetable recipes? Try these:
Crispy Parboiled Roasted Potatoes
Did you try this and love it? Leave us a review, we would love to hear from you!
Recipe
Crispy Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups baby spinach
- ½ teaspoon avocado oil
- ½ tablespoon steak seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a tray with foil or a silicon mat and place a wire rack on top.
- Toss the spinach in the oil and seasoning in a large bowl.
- Spread out the spinach over the wire rack evenly, leaving a ½” space between leaves. You will have to bake in two batches to ensure there is enough space between spinach leaves.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes or until crispy. Watch closely because spinach can burn quickly.
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