Published:
Feb 16th 2025
by 
Last updated: Feb 18th 2025
Forget bland, boiled cabbage—this Air Fryer Cabbage Perfection recipe delivers crisp, caramelized edges and a tender, flavorful bite with minimal effort. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish or a healthy addition to your meal, this air-fried cabbage is the perfect solution.
Lightly seasoned and roasted to golden perfection, it enhances the natural sweetness of cabbage while keeping it low in calories and high in nutrients. Best of all, it’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious.
Serve it alongside your favorite proteins or enjoy it as a standalone dish—either way, it’s a simple way to elevate your veggie game!
To make it a meal, serve it with our Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes and Air Fryer Flank Steak.
Pro Tip - Crispy & Flavorful: The air fryer transforms simple cabbage into a crispy, caramelized delight.
- Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants while being low in calories.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 25 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
- Diet-Friendly: Suitable for keto, vegan, gluten-free, and Whole30 meal plans.
- Uniform Slicing: Cut cabbage into even steaks to ensure even cooking.
- Seasoning Variations: Try smoked paprika for a smoky kick or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
- Crispier Cabbage: Increase the air fryer temperature slightly and cook for a couple of extra minutes.
- Storage Tip: Keep leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Pair this crispy air fryer cabbage with grilled proteins, mashed potatoes, or a creamy dipping sauce. It also works well as a topping for grain bowls or stuffed into wraps.
- Oil-Free Version: Swap olive oil for vegetable broth for a lighter option.
- Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or cayenne for heat.
- Cheesy Flavor: Sprinkle with nutritional yeast or parmesan before serving.
- Short-Term Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Creative Reuse: Chop and mix into stir-fries, grain bowls, or use as a taco filling.
- Cabbage: The star of this dish—mild, slightly sweet, and crisp when air-fried.
- Olive Oil: Helps achieve that crispy, golden-brown exterior.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Enhances the savory depth of flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balance.
- Parsley (Optional): Adds a touch of freshness and color.
Does cabbage shrink when you fry it?
Yes, it shrinks when you fry it. That's because when it's exposed to heat, the water in the cabbage evaporates, making it shrink.
Do you wash cabbage before frying?
Yes, you wash cabbage before frying. Washing it gets rid of dirt and insects that you don't want in your air-fryer cabbage.
Is it OK to soak cabbage overnight?
Yes, it is. Doing this will ensure your cabbage stays fresh and also mellows the strong taste of cabbage.
Is it good to wash cabbage with salt?
Yes. Washing cabbage with salt removes the moisture while preserving the crispy texture of cabbage. It also seasons the cabbage.
How to Make Air Fryer Cabbage
Start by cutting the cabbage into steaks about 1/3 inch thick. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Brush the cabbage slices evenly with the seasoning mixture. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and place the cabbage steaks inside in a single layer. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown. Once done, transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley, and enjoy immediately.
Time & Serves
Ingredients
1 medium head Cabbage, sliced into steaks 1/3 inch thick
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
Chopped Parsley for garnish (Optional)
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
To a medium bowl, add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, mixing well.
Lay the cabbage steaks on a large baking sheet. Using a silicone brush, brush each side of the cabbage steaks with the olive oil mixture.
Using tongs, transfer the cabbage steaks to the air fryer, arranging them in a single layer.
Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping at the 10-minute mark.
Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest recipes, holiday specials, and mouthwatering secrets!
Subscribe
Add new comment