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I’m not a huge fan of kale—wait, let me rephrase—I’m not a huge fan of the way kale tastes, but I am a huge fan of how nutritious it is.

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I’ve never understood why people like kale chips. I think they are disgusting… and I’ve tried many times to like them.

And my kids agree: kale is not so tasty…

That’s why I decided to turn my pile of fresh kale from the garden into homemade dehydrated kale powder.

Kale powder is so easy to hide in foods like smoothies and even stir-fry. It’s perfect for me and my kids to hide the flavor of kale.

Table of Contents

Health Benefits of Kale Powder

Kale was on the radar for a while as the best superfood due to its nutritional value. I’m not much into superfoods though.

People tend to see superfoods as foods that will fix all their health issues if eaten in large quantities.

My take on it is that all real foods (especially vegetables) are superfoods and we need a wide variety of them to get the most benefit.

That being said, kale is one food that I always grow in the garden since it’s so nutritious. Kale contains vitamins A, K, C, B6, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium.

Kale also contains all 9 essential amino acids. Amino acids are what the body uses to make proteins, so kale is considered a complete protein food!

Kale also has more omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids. This is unusual, especially for vegetables. Our bodies need a good balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to stay in balance.

Many foods that Americans eat are much higher in omega-6s than in omega-3s, according to a 2002 PubMed article. So kale is a great vegetable to include in the diet to keep these fatty acids in balance (and support the body’s overall health).

How to Make Kale Powder

Dehydrated kale powder is a simple way to preserve extra kale (or other greens) from the garden.

Ingredients and supplies:

Fresh kale (I used both green and purple)
Food dehydrator or oven
Blender (mortar and pestle would probably work)

Instructions:

Remove the hard center rib. Wash and dry kale leaves. Chop or tear the leaves into about 2-inch pieces.
Place the leaves on a dehydrator tray (I used 4 of them) or, if you’re using an oven, a cookie sheet.
Dry on 125 degrees F for 3-7 hours, depending on your house, the weather, etc. If you are using an oven, put it on the lowest temperature and keep an eye on it.
When the kale is nice and dry stick it into a blender to make kale powder (a mortar and pestle or similar should work too).

I started with about 8 cups of fresh kale and ended up with about a cup of kale powder. So a little goes a long way!

Homemade Dehydrated Kale Powder

Prep Time 5

Additional Time 7

Total Time 7 5

Ingredients

8 cups fresh kale (I used both green and purple)

Instructions

Remove the hard center rib. Wash and dry the kale leaves. Chop or tear the leaves into about 2-inch pieces.
Place the leaves on a dehydrator tray (I used 4 of them) or, if you’re using an oven, a cookie sheet.
Dry on 125 degrees F for 3-7 hours, depending on your house, the weather, etc. If you are using an oven put it on the lowest temperature and keep an eye on it.
When the kale is nice and dry stick it into a blender to make kale powder (a mortar and pestle or similar should work too).

Why Dehydrate Kale?

Kale, like other greens, is best fresh, however, you can blanch and freeze them if you want. I’m not a fan of slimy frozen greens, so I prefer to dehydrate extra greens.

What’s really great about this preservation method is that once it’s dehydrated, it’s shelf-stable and doesn’t have the strong flavor fresh kale has. Tha means I can get the nutritional benefit without the taste, woohoo!

You can add kale powder to almost anything. Here are some ideas:

Smoothies: Add a tablespoon of kale powder to your morning smoothie for a nutrient boost. It blends well with fruits, yogurt, and other greens.
Soups and Stews: Stir in kale powder to soups or stews to add a boost of vitamins and minerals without altering the flavor significantly.
Salad Dressings: Mix a teaspoon of kale powder into homemade salad dressings for added nutrition. It works well in vinaigrettes, ranch, or creamy avocado dressings.
Baked Goods: Incorporate kale powder into the batter for muffins, bread, or pancakes. It’s a great way to sneak in extra greens without changing the taste.
Egg Dishes: Sprinkle kale powder into scrambled eggs, omelets, or quiches. It adds color and a mild flavor that complements eggs well.
Pasta and Rice: Add kale powder to pasta dough for green-colored pasta or stir it into rice dishes like risotto or pilaf for added nutrition.
Popcorn Seasoning: Combine kale powder with nutritional yeast and a little sea salt for a healthy, cheesy-flavored popcorn seasoning.
Homemade Pesto: Blend kale powder with basil, garlic, nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese for a nutrient-dense pesto sauce.
Energy Bars and Snacks: Mix kale powder into homemade energy bars, granola, or protein balls for a healthy snack option.
Herbal Teas and Smoothie Bowls: Stir a small amount of kale powder into herbal teas or sprinkle over smoothie bowls for an extra nutritional punch.

Be creative! Kale powder is a great addition to any dish that you want to add some extra nutrition to.

How to Store Dehydrated Kale Powder

If you want to maintain the kale powders freshness, flavor, and nutritional value, it’s important to store it properly. Make sure your kale is it’s completely dry before making a powder. Any residual moisture can lead to mold growth or spoilage, (eww!).

Use an Airtight Container: The best way to store kale powder is in an airtight container — a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid is perfect. Airtight containers prevent air, moisture, and pests from getting in, keeping the powder fresh for longer.

If you have a vacuum sealer, you can also use it to seal the powder in vacuum bags, which helps the powder to last a long time.

Add a Desiccant: To further protect against moisture, consider adding a food-safe desiccant packet to your container. These packets help absorb any remaining moisture.

If you don’t have desiccant packets, you can make your own by placing a few grains of uncooked rice in a small, breathable pouch or a piece of cheesecloth and adding it to the jar.

Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Light and heat can degrade the nutrients in kale powder over time, so it’s important to store the container in a cool, dark place. A pantry, cupboard, or a kitchen cabinet away from the stove or other heat sources is ideal. Avoid placing it near windows where it can be exposed to sunlight. Using an amber glass jar can also help protect the kale powder if you don’t have a dark place to store it.

Check Regularly: Even with proper storage, it’s a good idea to check on your kale powder periodically. Ensure it hasn’t clumped together, indicating moisture, or developed any off smells, which could suggest spoilage. Properly stored, kale powder can last for up to a year, retaining most of its nutritional benefits and vibrant color.

Dehydrated Kale Powder

I love how versatile this kale powder is. I also love that its flavor is less intense than fresh kale, so I can get the nutritional benefits without the taste!

Have you ever tried kale powder? What do you think?