Air fryer cabbage is an easy and delicious side dish that's easy to make. Cabbage wedges, steaks, or chopped cabbage air fry crispy and tender, for an easy vegetable side on busy weeknights.
Why You'll Love Air Fried Cabbage
Air fryer cabbage is a delicious and healthy side dish that belongs alongside your cooking repertoire favorites like air fryer red potatoes or air fryer pork loin.
- Air fryer cabbage is a healthy and delicious side dish.
- It's low in calories and fat, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals.
- Air fryer cabbage is easy to make and can be customized with your favorite seasoning blends.
- Cabbage is very affordable, making it a great option for budget-minded cooks.
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Air Fryer Cabbage Ingredients
Here's what you will need to make air fryer cabbage:
- Green Cabbage - Or, a medium large head of your favorite variety of cabbage.
- Olive oil - to lightly brush on both sides of cabbage steaks or wedges. If air frying chopped cabbage, brush the air fryer basket bottom, and toss the chopped cabbage with one or two teaspoons of olive oil.
- Garlic Powder
- Cajun Seasoning - I used my Louisiana Cajun Seasoning recipe.
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Air Fryer Cabbage
Not only is this an incredibly simple recipe (you won't believe how quick it comes together). It's a great side dish in the winter when other fresh green veggies are harder to come by, and more expensive.
Cut The Head of Cabbage
- Cut the head of cabbage into 12 wedges, thick 1" slices, or rough chop it into 2" chunks. For wedges, quarter the cabbage first, then cut each wedge into three slices.
Brush With Olive Oil
- For cabbage wedges or cabbage steaks, lightly brush both sides with a little bit of olive oil so that your seasonings will adhere. For chopped cabbage, pop in a bowl or plastic bag and add about 2 teaspoons of olive oil and shake to coat.
Season And Air Fry The Cabbage
- Sprinkle on the Louisiana Cajun Seasoning, or your favorite steak seasoning, so that the cabbage is lightly seasoned on both sides. Add the Garlic powder, salt, and pepper. For chopped cabbage, add the seasonings to the plastic bag or bowl of cabbage coated with olive oil, and either shake or stir to coat the cabbage with the seasonings.
- Add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will produce steam and ensure your cabbage is crisp on the outside, and tender inside.
- Place the seasoned cabbage in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 350F for 8 minutes. Check and cook cabbage wedges or cabbage steaks an additional 2-3 minutes as needed. Check chopped cabbage at 6 minutes and stir or shake to mix up. Return the basket and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
Rest Before Serving
- Remove the air fryer basket and let the cabbage just rest for 3-5 minutes. Resting the air fried cabbage lets it relax and finish cooking for tender cabbage that's crispy on the outside. No more mushy cabbage!
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
For a hearty and flavorful meal, try serving air fryer cabbage with Country Style Pork Boneless Ribs or Pan Grilled Steakhouse Pork Chops. For a lighter and healthier meal serve with Air Fryer Chicken Sausage or Broiled Chicken Thighs.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute any type of cabbage for the green cabbage in this recipe.
- You can add other vegetables to the air fryer with the cabbage, such as carrots, potatoes, or onions.
- Season the cabbage with any herbs or spices that you like. See our French Fry Seasoning, Italian Seasoning Substitute, Montreal Steak Seasoning, and even our Chicken Taco Seasoning is fantastic on air fryer cabbage!
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Nuwave Air Fryer 15 quart - This large family size basket air fryer has room to air fry enough for a large family!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Nuwave Air Fryer 3 quart - This compact basket air fryer is perfect for singles or a small family of 2 or 3. You can air fry two frozen waffles in 4 minutes.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage and Reheating
- Air fried cabbage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Cabbage does not freeze well, except for in soup. The crisp tender air fryer texture changes into a limp, soft, pale colored vegetable that is perfect for soups and stews like our Kapusniak (Polish Cabbage Soup).
- To reheat air fried cabbage, simply place back in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it is heated through.
- You can also reheat air fried cabbage in the microwave. Place the cabbage in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until it is heated through.
Tips for Success
- Avoid using aerosol non-stick cooking spray. The chemical propellants can damage the air fryer.
- Let the cabbage cool slightly before serving. This will help it retain its crispiness.
- Cut the cabbage into even pieces. This will help the cabbage cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. This will prevent the cabbage from cooking evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no 'best' way, it really about preference. You can air fry cabbage wedges, cabbage steaks, or simply chop the cabbage up roughly along with onions and bell peppers. Cooking time will be a little longer with wedges than steaks or the rough chopped cabbage.
The cooking time for air fried cabbage will vary depending on the size of the pieces and the power of your air fryer. For 1-inch thick wedges, air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the cabbage is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Air fry cabbage steaks, reduce 8-10 minutes. For rough chopped, cook 6 minutes, then shake and stir, then add another 5 to 6 minutes.
Yes, you can add other vegetables to the air fryer with the cabbage. Some popular vegetables to add include carrots, potatoes, and onions.
More Delish Ideas
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Cabbage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large Cabbage
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1½ tablespoon Cajun Seasoning any brand
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup water for processing
Instructions
- Cut the head of cabbage into 12 wedges, thick 1" slices, or rough chop it into 2" chunks. For wedges, quarter the cabbage first, then cut each wedge into three slices.1 large Cabbage
- For cabbage wedges or cabbage steaks, lightly brush both sides with a little bit of olive oil so that your seasonings will adhere. For chopped cabbage, pop in a bowl or plastic bag and add about 2 teaspoons of olive oil and shake to coat.2 teaspoon olive oil
- Sprinkle on the Louisiana Cajun Seasoning, or your favorite steak seasoning, so that the cabbage is lightly seasoned on both sides. Add the Garlic powder, salt, and pepper.For chopped cabbage, add the seasonings to the plastic bag or bowl of cabbage coated with olive oil, and either shake or stir to coat the cabbage with the seasonings.1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1½ tablespoon Cajun Seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add ¼ cup of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will produce steam and ensure your cabbage is crisp on the outside, and tender inside.¼ cup water
- Place the seasoned cabbage in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 350F for 8 minutes. Check and cook cabbage wedges or cabbage steaks an additional 2-3 minutes as needed. Check chopped cabbage at 6 minutes and stir or shake to mix up. Return the basket and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the air fryer basket and let the cabbage just rest for 3-5 minutes. Resting the air fried cabbage lets it relax and finish cooking for tender cabbage that's crispy on the outside. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid using aerosol non-stick cooking spray. The chemical propellants can damage the air fryer.
- Let the cabbage cool slightly before serving. This will help it retain its crispiness.
- Cut the cabbage into even pieces. This will help the cabbage cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. This will prevent the cabbage from cooking evenly.
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