Easy Air Fryer Cabbage (Beginner Friendly)

Why you’ll love it: 6 ingredients, 10–15 minutes, crispy edges + tender centers. Great side for chicken, fish, or bowls.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 small green cabbage (about 1–1.2 kg / 2–2.5 lb)

• 2 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)

• ¾ tsp fine salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper
  Optional: 1 tbsp grated Parmesan, lemon wedges, chili flakes.

Equipment

• Air fryer (basket or oven-style)

• Knife + cutting board

• Mixing bowl or spray bottle for oil

Step-by-Step (Wedges or “Steaks”)

Temp: 380°F (193°C)

1. Prep the cabbage
   Remove any wilted outer leaves, trim the core.

• For wedges: cut the cabbage into 8 wedges, keeping a bit of core so they hold together.

• For steaks: slice into ¾-inch (2 cm) thick slabs.

2. Season
   In a bowl, mix oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush or toss cabbage to coat all sides. (Light oil = better crisp.)

3. Preheat
   Heat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.

4. Air fry (first side)
   Add cabbage in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Cook 8–10 minutes.

5. Flip & finish
   Flip pieces. Air fry another 6–8 minutes until edges are browned and centers are tender.

Doneness check: a fork should slide in easily; edges look golden-brown.

6. Serve
   Finish with lemon, Parmesan, or chili flakes. Taste and adjust salt.

Time guide:

• Wedges: 14–18 min total

• Steaks: 15–18 min total
  (Thicker cuts need +2–4 minutes.)

Quick Shredded Version (Crunchy “Fried” Cabbage)

Best for bowls or tacos

1. Core cabbage and thinly slice (3–4 cups).

2. Toss with 1.5 tbsp oil + same spices as above.

3. Air fry at 370°F (188°C) for 6–9 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.

4. Season to taste; add a squeeze of lemon.

Flavor Variations

• Garlic-Parmesan: add 2 tbsp Parmesan in the last 2–3 minutes to melt and toast.

• Smoky BBQ: swap paprika for smoked paprika; finish with a drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce.

• Moroccan-Inspired: add ½ tsp ground cumin + pinch turmeric; finish with lemon and chopped parsley.

• Spicy: add ¼ tsp chili flakes or cayenne to the spice mix.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Crowding = soggy. Cook in batches so air can circulate.

• Pale? Add 2–3 minutes or use a touch more oil.

• Too firm? Lower temp to 360°F (182°C) and cook 3–4 minutes longer.

• Basket vs. oven-style: oven-style may cook slightly faster—start checking 2 minutes early.

Storage & Reheat

• Fridge: up to 3 days (airtight).

• Reheat: 350°F (177°C) for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp.

• Meal prep: slice and season ahead; cook just before serving.

Approx. Nutrition (per serving, wedges)

~90 kcal; 6g fat; 9g carbs; 4g fiber; 3g protein; sodium varies by salt.

SEO Snippets

Slug: air-fryer-cabbage
Meta Title (60–65 chars):
Air Fryer Cabbage (Easy & Crispy) – Beginner Step-by-Step
Meta Description (140–160 chars):
Make crispy, tender air fryer cabbage in under 20 minutes. Simple ingredients, step-by-step for beginners, plus tasty variations and tips.

Copy-Paste Recipe Card

Air Fryer Cabbage (Beginner Recipe)
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 14–18 min | Total: 20 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 small cabbage; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp paprika; ¾ tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Cut into 8 wedges or ¾-inch steaks.

2. Toss with oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper.

3. Air fry at 380°F (193°C): 8–10 min.

4. Flip; cook 6–8 min more until browned and tender.

5. Finish with lemon/Parmesan; serve hot.