Cabbage is something that’s common around the world and an ingredient I grew to love as I got older. It’s always cheap to buy and its uses stretch way beyond just coleslaw and sauerkraut. With my deep love of air fryer recipes, it’s no surprise that this is a recipe for how to air fry cabbage. And once you learn how…you’ll never go back.
Such an easy side
Staple simple ingredients like garlic and onion powder are all you need to make this cabbage recipe. Cooking cabbage brings out its slightly sweet taste so it really doesn’t need much for seasoning! Ready in 20 minutes with the most beautiful char thanks to the air fryer and its magical abilities. This versatile recipe can be served as a main course or as a side dish. You can pair it with a creamy sauce or something lighter – the options are endless.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cabbage
Cabbage in the air fryer is wonderful because you don’t need many ingredients. The high heat caramelizes the cabbage, highlighting its natural flavors. To help bring them out just a bit more, the ingredients you will need are:
Cabbage wedges: These fit best in the air fryer basket and make for a pretty presentation. Be sure to check out our post on how to cut cabbage for more options if you want to make air fryer cabbage steaks. Green cabbage is the most common, but purple or red cabbage works fine too. The flavor makers: To help the cabbage shine, you will need onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard. Using ground spices ensures it all gets mixed into the layers of the cabbage. You can also add or swap spices like chili powder and Italian seasoning for a different flavor profile. Oil: Even an air fryer requires a little bit of oil. This is also another way to distribute the spices evenly. I use avocado oil due to its higher smoke point but olive oil will work too.
How to make Cabbage Wedges in the air fryer
Using an air fryer is ideal for quick meals and for developing flavor quickly. It works by circulating super hot air all around, thus essentially frying it. To make cabbage in the air fryer, the steps are pretty similar to any air fryer vegetable.
Storage
Fried cabbage is always best enjoyed right away, but leftovers will keep in the fridge. Let it cool completely then store in an air-tight container for up to 4 days (try to store them without any sauce on the slices). To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer or oven to get crispy again.
Why this Recipe Works
Extra crispy with a tender inside. This is not the soft cabbage you may have had at your grandma’s, this is fun, exciting, textural cabbage wedges. Healthy since cabbage is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, B6, and folate. This makes it a great choice for adding more veggies to your diet. It’s also a delicious low carb side dish that provides a crunchy element that most low-carb things are missing. Minimal prep time is required since all you have to do is cut the cabbage and mix the spices. These steps add mayyyybbbeee 5 minutes to the total time.
How To serve air fried cabbage
If you’re wondering how to serve these wedges as part of a whole meal, I’ve got you covered with side dish ideas and some topping ideas.
Top this easy side dish with parmesan cheese, whipped feta, lemon tahini dressing, or miso mayo. Serve it with a chickpea salad, a sweet potato salad with quinoa, or this Freekeh salad. Make charred vegetables shine by serving them with grilled romaine lettuce, air fried tofu, or air fryer buffalo cauliflower.
