Air Fryer cabbage is a versatile dish that can be served as a side dish, a main course, or as a healthy snack. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, making it a great nutritious addition to your diet.
Made with only 2 ingredients, seasonings, this tender cabbage is a gluten-free, low-calorie, and low-carb dish.
Love Cabbage recipes? Our family's favorites include Ground Beef and Cabbage, Napa Cabbage and Mushrooms, unstuffed Cabbage rolls. And this cabbage dish is sure to become your favorite too.
Why It's Yummy
- Healthy & Low-Carb Side Dish - The air fryer is a game-changer for anyone looking to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor. It can cook food with hot air and little to no oil.
- Easy - Because the air fryer uses little to no oil, the cabbage retains its natural sweetness without being weighed down by a heavy, greasy coating. The result is a healthy and delicious dish, with the bonus of being incredibly easy to prepare. It's a very easy way to feed your whole family, including picky eaters and some very nutritious veggies.
- A ton of flavors - a perfectly cooked, crispy, and caramelized cabbage wedge with a tender and juicy interior, seasoned to perfection with your favorite spices.
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Air Fryer Cabbage Recipe Ingredients
You'll need 3-4 simple ingredients:
- Cabbage - young green cabbage, savoy or red cabbage.
- Olive oil - you only need a little or can use even less than instructed.
- Seasonings - simple salt and black pepper is all you need but I highly recommend adding more flavor with different spices. Check the Variations section to learn more.
- Cabbage with onion or bacon - to give the cabbage more flavor cook it together with roughly chopped onion and thicker bacon pieces.
📋 You can find the full ingredient list in the Recipe Card below the article.
How To Make Air Fryer Cabbage
Cabbage made in the air fryer is a delicious, simple side dish. It is seasoned lightly and cooked to tender perfection with a crispy exterior.
Stovetop instructions: I have similar fried cabbage recipes on the blog that are cooked in one pan. Try these next: Cabbage and Bacon and Cabbage and Chicken.
Cut cabbage into 4 quarters. Cut out the core and chop each quarter into 1-inch pieces.
Place the cut cabbage in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Lightly massage the cabbage until it is coated.
Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hot, place the cabbage pieces into the air fryer basket.
You don't have to do it in one layer; multiple layers are fine if you don't overload the basket.
You may need to do it in batches or store the remaining cabbage in the fridge until ready to cook.
🥢 Make Next: Asian Cabbage Stir Fry
Air fry the cabbage for 16-18 minutes. Stir a few times to ensure the cabbage is cooking evenly and not burning. The cabbage should still remain crunchy with crispy edges.
Recommended Tools
No fancy equipment is needed. Here are the basics:
- Cosori - my favorite Air Fryer
- Air fryer basket liners - to prolong your air fryer lifespan and prevent the food from sticking to the bottom
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Airtight Food containers
Can I use any cabbage for air-fryer cabbage?
Yes, you can experiment with different types of cabbage for air-frying. Green cabbage, red cabbage, and savoy cabbage all work well.
- Green cabbage: This is the most common type of cabbage and is rich in vitamin C, K, and fiber. It may help boost the immune system, support bone health, and aid digestion.
- Red cabbage: This cabbage's vibrant color comes from the presence of anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant. It is also high in vitamin C and fiber and may help improve heart health and lower inflammation.
- Savoy cabbage: This variety has crinkly leaves and a mild, sweet flavor. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber and may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Expert Tips For The Best Air Fryer Cabbage
- Cut the cabbage into 1-inch pieces - this ensures crispness throughout your batch. You can also make air-fried cabbage steaks or wedges. This will help the cabbage cook more evenly in the air fryer and ensure that each piece gets crispy and caramelized on the outside. In this case, you must adjust the cooking time for bigger pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer - Just like a traditional oven, preheat your air fryer before roasting your cabbage. This will help ensure the cabbage cooks evenly and becomes crispy.
- Use a light coating of oil - You don't need as much oil as you usually need in traditional frying methods; a light oil coating can help the cabbage get crispy and brown on the outside. You can use olive oil or vegetable oil spray for this.
- Flip the cabbage in air fryer halfway through cooking: To ensure that both sides of the cabbage get crispy and browned, flip each piece halfway through cooking. This will also help prevent any burning or uneven cooking.
- Serve immediately. Air-fried cabbage is best enjoyed fresh from the air fryer while it's still hot and crispy. Serve it with your favorite protein or use it as a base for a hearty vegetarian salad. We don't recommend refrigerating cooked cabbage. Crispy food cannot sustain crispiness after a while.
- You don't need to spray the bottom of the basket with cooking spray, especially if you use air fryer basket liners.
JULIA'S TIP: Season generously! Don't be shy with your seasonings here. Cabbage can be quite bland on its own, so feel free to use your favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings to add flavor.
Some popular options include smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, Indian spices, balsamic vinegar, etc.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Cabbage
Air fryer cabbage is a quick and easy side dish that pairs well with anything.
You can serve it with:
- Seafood
- Air Fryer Pork chops or tenderloin
- Steak
- Or along with veggie pan sheet dinner or with sandwiches.
Storing Leftovers
To Store. To store leftover cabbage, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container.
Air-fried cabbage can remain fresh for up to 3-4 days. However, I still recommend eating it fresh!
Variations
You can always add your unique technique or ingredients to get the best result and flavors per your platter. Cooking is all about experimenting with new methods!
Here are some of my favorite seasoning ideas you can use to add even more flavor to your air-fryer cabbage:
- Smoked paprika: This spice adds a smoky, savory flavor to the cabbage that pairs perfectly with its natural sweetness. Or use sweet paprika.
- Garlic powder & Onion powder: Classic seasonings that add depth and complexity to any dish. I love the combination of garlic, onion and paprika.
- Balsamic vinegar: A splash of balsamic vinegar adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that cuts through the cabbage's richness and enhances its natural sweetness.
- Soy sauce: For an umami-rich flavor, try adding a drizzle of soy sauce to your air-fryer cabbage. It will give it a savory, salty kick that's hard to resist.
- Parmesan cheese: To take your air-fryer cabbage to the next level, try sprinkling some freshly grated parmesan cheese over the top. The cheese's nutty, salty flavor pairs perfectly with the cabbage's sweetness, creating a mouthwatering flavor combination.
- Spicy: Red pepper flakes or cajun seasoning will add delicious, smoky, and spicy flavor.
More Air Fryer Recipes
We have more delicious air fryer vegetable recipes on this blog. Check these out:
Out of ideas? This collection of 40+ Best Cabbage Recipes has plenty to offer!
Or browse through more tasty air fryer recipes in our Air Fryer archives.
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Recipe Card
Easy Air Fryer Cabbage
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 medium head of cabbage
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or neutral oil such as avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cut cabbage into 4 quarters. Cut out the core and chop each quarter into 1-inch pieces.
- Place cut cabbage in a large bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Lightly massage the cabbage until all is coated.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once hot, place the cabbage pieces into the air fryer basket. You don't have to do it in one single layer, multiple layers are fine as long as you don't overload the basket. You may need to do it in batches or store the remaining cabbage in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Air fry cabbage for 16-18 minutes. Be sure to stir a few times to be sure the cabbage is cooking evenly and not burning. Cabbage should still remain crunchy with crispy edges.
NOTES
- Season generously - Don't be shy with your seasonings here. Cabbage can be quite bland on its own, so feel free to use your favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings to add flavor. Some popular options include smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, Indian spices, balsamic vinegar, etc.
- Flip the cabbage in air fryer halfway through cooking: To ensure that both sides of the cabbage get crispy and browned, flip each piece halfway through cooking. This will also help prevent any burning or uneven cooking.
- To store leftover cabbage, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an air-tight container. Air-fried cabbage can remain fresh for upto 3-4 days. However, I still recommend you eat it fresh!
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
FAQs
Yes, you can definitely cook other vegetables in the air fryer alongside the cabbage. Just make sure that they have similar cooking times and temperatures.
Cut them into similar-sized pieces as the cabbage so that they cook evenly.
It's best to use fresh cabbage for air-frying, as frozen cabbage may become too soft and mushy during cooking.
Yes, you can achieve a similar result by roasting the cabbage in the oven at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes or until it's tender and browned on the outside.
Check on the cabbage a couple of times while cooking. Stir and shake the basket to ensure all the cabbage pieces are cooking evenly.
Do not overload the air fryer; for best results, cook the cabbage in one layer.
Not at all. This is my preference, and this is how I like the cabbage - a little ‘’al dente’’ in most of my dishes.
The cabbage leaves are unique, and some can be quite thick, especially in older cabbages.
Just cut the thicker parts smaller and thinner—this will ensure that the cabbage cooks evenly.
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