Air fryer cabbage is a delicious, Italian-inspired side dish that’s quick to prepare and requires just a handful of ingredients. The wedges roast to a slightly crisp exterior while staying tender inside, and a sprinkle of cheese finishes each serving beautifully.
Why You’ll ❤️ Air Fried Cabbage
‘This Italian-inspired air fryer cabbage is so simple and tastes fantastic. The cabbage gets a slightly crispy outside and a tender inside. Enjoy!’ – Kori
Easy
With only five ingredients and about 20 minutes of cooking time, this recipe is a convenient, flavorful vegetable side. Coat cabbage wedges with olive oil and seasoning, then air fry until tender—simple as that.
Tasty
Roasted cabbage converts skeptics. This Italian-flavored version is finished with cheese for extra richness, but it’s still excellent without dairy if you prefer a dairy-free option.
Healthy
This air fried cabbage is naturally gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly with no added sugar, making it a healthy accompaniment to many meals.
What You’ll Need
Below are the ingredients and basic equipment to make air fryer cabbage.
Ingredients
- Cabbage – green cabbage is used here, but red cabbage works too.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Garlic – garlic powder is recommended because fresh garlic can burn; if using fresh garlic, add it near the end of cooking.
- Italian seasoning for classic flavor.
- Parmesan cheese – sprinkle on at the end; cotija or another hard cheese is a tasty alternative. Omit for a dairy-free dish.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Equipment
- Air fryer – any model will do. The author uses a Ninja Foodi; many Instant Pot air fryer attachments or standalone air fryers also work well.
Substitutions and Variations
Ways to adapt the recipe:
- Omit cheese to make the dish dairy-free.
- Use any favorite grated cheese instead of parmesan.
- Try different herb blends or spices to change the flavor profile.
- Cut the cabbage into steaks (slices) rather than wedges if preferred.
How To Cook Cabbage in an Air Fryer
For the full printable instructions, refer to the recipe card below.
Mix Seasoning
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
Combine olive oil, garlic (or garlic powder), salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and grated parmesan in a small bowl.
Toss Cabbage with Seasoning
Cut the cabbage into wedges. Place wedges in a large bowl and coat evenly with the oil and seasoning mixture.
Air Fry
Arrange wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, turning once after about 10 minutes. The cabbage is done when tender and forkable; thicker wedges will need more time.
How To Serve
Serving suggestions:
- Pair with air fryer mains like chicken tenders, crab cakes, or salmon patties.
- Serve at breakfast with crumbled bacon and eggs.
- Use thicker slices as a base for burgers or to serve with pulled pork, stroganoff, or any saucy entrée.
Top Tips
- Air fryer brands vary; the first time you make this watch the cabbage and adjust time or temperature as needed.
- Keep wedges about 1–1½ inches thick for even cooking.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper after cooking.
- If your fryer tends to smoke, add a couple tablespoons of water to the drawer or pan if the manufacturer allows it; this can help reduce smoke.
FAQs
Yes. Air fry cabbage at 350°F for about 20 minutes or until tender. Cut into 1–1½” wedges or slices for best results.
Preheat to 350°F for 5 minutes. Toss 1 pound of cabbage with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Air fry 10 minutes, flip, then continue 10–15 minutes more until tender.
Preheat to 350°F for 5 minutes, then reheat cabbage for 3–5 minutes until warmed through.
Cook for 20–25 minutes at 350°F, depending on wedge thickness and air fryer model.
Store cooled cabbage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes. Cabbage is low in carbs and fits well into a keto diet—about 4.7 net carbs for roughly one-fifth of a head, depending on size.
📖 The recipe.
Air Fryer Cabbage
Ingredients
- ½ medium head of cabbage (about 5″ in diameter, sliced into 4 wedges)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic (minced) or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Mix olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
- Place cabbage wedges in a large bowl and coat with the olive oil and seasoning mixture.
- Place wedges in the air fryer basket and cook 15–20 minutes or until tender, flipping after 10 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning if needed, then serve and enjoy.
Kori’s Tips
- See the post for additional tips, substitution ideas, and helpful hints.
- Use different cheeses or herb mixes, or increase ingredient amounts slightly for a larger cabbage cut into more wedges.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer and watch the first batch closely—adjust heat or time if the edges brown too quickly. Wedges will shrink as they cook; a spatula or skewer helps when turning them.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 wedge (1/4 head of cabbage)
Calories: 218 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.8 g | Protein: 3.1 g | Fat: 23 g
Cholesterol: 5.4 mg | Sodium: 711 mg | Fiber: 0.4 g | Sugar: 0.5 g
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
More Air Fryer Side Dishes
If you’d like more air fryer side dish ideas, try green beans, broccoli, asparagus, beets with rosemary and balsamic, or fried green tomatoes.
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