Air fryer cabbage can be served as steaks or wedges and is SO quick, tasty, and healthy! Adding water to the bottom of the air fryer basket helps cook the cabbage, and plenty of fresh lemon juice and seasonings add flavor. Have this healthy cabbage side dish on the table in just 15 minutes! It's vegan, allergy-friendly, and oil-free.
Why You'll Love Air Fryer Cabbage
Probably my favorite thing about the air fryer is how easy it makes it to quickly cook a variety of vegetables.
From green beans and zucchini to radishes, shishito peppers, and cauliflower steaks, the air fryer gets the job done so much more efficiently than oven roasting.
I also love that air fryer cabbage can be prepared without oil. If you appreciate low-fat, low-calorie veggie dishes, I think you'll love it, too!
With only 5 minutes of hands-on prep and 10 minutes cook time, you'll be enjoying this crisp, lightly seasoned cabbage in a snap! It's versatile, pairs well with pretty much any main dish, and even makes a great snack!
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Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- cabbage - I used green cabbage, but I'm sure you can air fry red cabbage, too! The amount you'll be able to prepare at one time depends on the size of your air fryer. I find that about 12 ounces of cabbage, or half of a small/medium head is easily cooked in one batch.
- lemon juice - you'll use the juice from half of a large lemon; no need for precise measurements here. The remaining fresh lemon can be served with the air fried cabbage.
- seasoning - you'll need salt and pepper plus any spice blend you enjoy. I used Cajun seasoning on the wedges you see in the photos. Other ideas include za'atar, curry powder, chili powder + cumin, harissa, or onion and garlic powder.
- oil - though the recipe is oil-free as written, you can definitely add oil if you like - to for a neutral oil like avocado or olive oil. Either spray or brush the outside of the wedges with oil before adding the seasonings.
See recipe card below for quantities and full ste-by-step instructions.
How To Air Fry Cabbage
Prepare the cabbage: Starting with a whole head of cabbage, discard any loose or wilted leaves from the exterior, and trim off the very bottom of the core. You now have a flat base to rest against the cutting board for stability.
Cut and season the cabbage: Cut the cabbage in half through the core. To cut the cabbage into wedges, slice one of the halves into 4 or 5 equal-size wedges so that each piece has some core holding it together.
Or for cabbage steaks, slice from the top down into 1-inch thick steaks (it's easiest to start near the center and work your way out).
Air fry: Add ½ cup water to the bottom of the air fryer basket, and preheat it to 360 degrees F. Once preheated, arrange the steaks or wedges in the basket. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cabbage is as done as you like.
Hint: since we're not using oil on the cabbage, the water in the bottom of the air fryer helps to lightly steam the cabbage while also roasting. This also adds moisture and helps prevent burning.
Oven Instructions
If you don't own an air fryer, the cabbage can also be roasted in the oven.
Simply cut into steaks or wedges and season as described, then bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 25 minutes, carefully flipping the cabbage at the halfway point.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy air fryer cabbage as a snack with hummus or drizzled with your favorite healthy salad dressing. It's also delicious with this white bean peanut dip!
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Or serve air fryer cabbage as a low-calorie side dish with plant-based entrees like:
- Hearty Chickpea Loaf
- Beyond Meat Meatloaf
- Vegan Seitan Roast
- Slow Cooker BBQ Soy Curls
- Mushroom-Barley Burgers
- Vegan Turkey Roast
Substitutions
- seasoning - instead of Cajun seasoning try a chipotle-lime blend, harissa, or one of my personal favorites, za'atar!
- lemon - I haven't tried this recipe with other citrus, but I'm sure lime juice paired with Mexican-inspired spices would also be great!
Variations
- with oil - if you include oil in your diet, feel free to rub or spritz the cabbage with oil before adding the lemon juice and seasonings.
- spicy - add a few dashes of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Or serve with zhoug sauce, spicy parsley pesto, or harissa dressing.
Equipment Needed
You'll need an air fryer for this recipe, of course! I use the 6 quart Instant Pot Vortex and really enjoy the design and how easy it is to operate.
You'll also need a large knife to slice the cabbage.
Storage
Air fryer cabbage is best served immediately, but leftovers can be refrigerated for later. Reheat the cabbage in the air fryer, making sure to add more water to the bottom, or in a skillet or microwave. Freezing not recommended.
Top Tips
- Take care while cutting the cabbage so that the wedges (or steaks) are thick enough to hold up in the air fryer but not so thick that they don't cook through.
- Leaving the core intact helps the cabbage wedges hold together. Of course, even if they fall apart a little, it's no big deal. It still tastes great!
- And finally, like most air fryer recipes, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on the food the first time you try a new recipe. You may find you need to slightly adjust the time for your air fryer.
You might like:
Oh, one more thing... If you enjoy light, low-calorie vegetable dishes, check out this lemon-y broccoli rice. We're currently obsessed and adding it to everything!
Recipe
Air Fryer Cabbage
Equipment
Ingredients
- half of a medium head of green cabbage - about 12 ounces
- 1 large lemon
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning - or another spice blend, such as harissa, za'atar, or curry powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Remove the grate from the bottom of your air fryer basket, and add ½ cup water. Put the grate back in place, and preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- If you're starting with a whole head of cabbage, discard loose or wilted leaves from the exterior, and trim off the very bottom of the core. You now have a flat base to rest against the cutting board for stability. For cabbage steaks, slice from the top down into 1-inch thick slices (it's easiest to start near the center and work your way out). For wedges, slice the cabbage in half through the core. Then slice one of the halves into 4 or 5 equal-size wedges so that each piece has some core holding it together. Save the other half of the cabbage for another dish, or prepare two batches in the air fryer.
- Coat both sides of the cabbage with lemon juice, then sprinkle with your seasoning of choice and a few generous pinches of salt and pepper.
- Arrange in a single layer the air fryer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cabbage is crisp-tender and charred around the edges. You can flip the cabbage at the halfway point if you like, but it isn't necessary.
- Serve hot with an extra squeeze of fresh lemon. Enjoy the cabbage leaves, but discard the core if it's too tough.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and ingredients used.
Laurie Barile says
So easy to make and delicious 😋! Highly recommend!