Wash kale and dry thoroughly. Kale chips take longer to crisp if not dried well.

Slice around the tough stem of each kale leaf with a sharp knife; discard stem. Roughly chop kale into bite-sized pieces.

Place kale in a large mixing bowl. Add olive oil and salt. For flavored chips, add other chosen ingredients now. Toss and gently massage kale to ensure each leaf is well coated.

Preheat air fryer to 325°F (163°C).

Place kale in the air fryer basket (cook in 2 batches if needed). Cook for 3 minutes, shake basket, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until crispy and dried out.

For specific flavors like lemon garlic, chili lime, or taco, add an extra 1-2 minutes of cooking time. For BBQ flavor, add an extra 3-4 minutes.