One of my favorite vegetables for fall is cabbage! It’s a budget friendly ingredient that looks beautiful on the table, and can be prepared in many tasty ways. I love making air fryer red cabbage to get the perfect level of caramelization in a simple side dish.
I love making air fryer cabbage because it’s just so simple, and a healthy choice as well since it’s loaded with antioxidants! It only takes around 15 minutes to cook up this side, and little attention is required, so you can focus on the other components of your meal.
The thing that’s great about cabbage is that you can cut it any way you like it. I’m making air fryer cabbage steaks today. However, you can cut your cabbage head into wedges, ribs, fries, or even just shred it!
Cabbage pairs wonderfully with a variety of flavors as well, meaning you’ll never get bored with different ways to season it up. In this recipe, I’m using savory flavors like mustard and garlic for bold tastes.
However, you could always go with apple, onion, and vinegar, like I use in my Microwave Red Cabbage recipe. Speaking of which, that’s another great way you can prepare it if you’re using your air fryer for something else!
Ingredients List
1 head red cabbage
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt (or more to taste)
½ tsp black pepper (or more to taste)
Ingredient Tips and Variations
The butter may be swapped for olive oil if preferred
Any kind of mustard is fine, or you can use vinegar such as red wine, white, apple cider, or balsamic for tanginess
Other good seasoning choices would be paprika, seasoned salt, parsley, barbecue, or Cajun
Variations: Feel free to add cooked, diced bacon on top or parmesan cheese for different flavor variations
Preparing Your Cabbage
Wash. Make sure to wash your cabbage thoroughly to get rid of any dirt. Remove wilted and damaged outside leaves as well
Core. If you are preparing steaks, slices, or wedges, you do not need to core your cabbage. For shredding, core the cabbage by cutting it out in a wedge using a sharp knife
Steaks. Cut your cabbage steaks into approximately ½” thick slices. This should allow them to cook through and caramelize properly, without falling apart
How to Make Air Fryer Red Cabbage Steaks
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
Cut your cabbage into approximately ½” thick slices using a sharp knife (do not core the cabbage, as this helps keep it together)
In a small bowl, combine butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until well combined
Place the slices of cabbage into the air fryer basket, then brush the tops with half of the mustard mixture
Cook for 10 minutes on the air fry setting at 375°F. Then, flip the steaks, brush with the other half of the mustard, and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, until tender and browned to your liking
Serve hot
What to Serve With Cabbage Steaks
Side Dishes
Onion petals
Caramelized onions
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Sauteed mushrooms
Glazed carrots
Roasted beets
Garlic bread
My Air Fryer Blooming Onion Petals, Air Fryer Brown Sugar Carrots, or Air Fryer Beets and Sweet Potatoes are all great options!
There are many great pairings to serve with cabbage steaks! You can serve the cabbage as your main course and add sides to complete the meal, which is perfect for a vegetarian option.
However, roasted cabbage is an equally delicious side paired with a different protein as the main course! Complete your meal any way you like, and then add the perfect complimentary sauce to top things off!
Recipe FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Air Fry Red Cabbage?
The time it takes to air fry red cabbage varies depending on your specific air fryer and the size of the cabbage pieces. In general, small cabbage wedges or chips take about 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C) for a crisp texture, while larger wedges or chunks require 15-20 minutes.
It’s a good practice to check the cabbage’s doneness by piercing it with a fork or knife. The cabbage should be tender and slightly caramelized when it’s done.
Can I Store Leftover Air Fryer Red Cabbage, and if so, How?
Yes, you can store leftover air fryer red cabbage. To maintain its freshness, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you can use the air fryer again for a few minutes to restore its crispiness or simply warm it in the microwave.
What Are Some Common Seasonings For Air Fryer Red Cabbage?
Seasoning options for air fryer red cabbage are versatile. You can use olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and even a touch of balsamic vinegar for a tangy flavor.
Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or cumin for added depth of taste. Cabbage is very neutral, allowing you to season with flavors you love most, or what compliments the other dishes you’re making with it.
Is it Possible to Make Air Fryer Red Cabbage Without Oil?
Yes, you can make air fryer red cabbage without oil. However, you’ll still want to add some form of fat to aid in getting the caramelized edges during cooking.
Butter and ghee are the two most common alternatives, but you can use dressings as well.
Can I Use Green Cabbage Instead of Red Cabbage For This Recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use green cabbage instead of red for this recipe. The preparation process and cooking time is exactly the same.
Red cabbage is usually only used over green due to its vibrant and beautiful color.
Recipe Pro Tips
The more evenly you cut your cabbage steaks the better, as that promotes even cooking. However, don’t panic if they’re a little uneven, you’ll just get some crispy edges!
I got about 8 slices from a medium cabbage, and I can cook 4 at a time in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer. You can scale up or down as needed depending on desired number of servings, and cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding your air fryer
If you notice any leaves coming loose when you flip the cabbage steaks, remove them. They can get blown up into your heating element otherwise and burn
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover cabbage steaks once completely cooled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months for longer term storage
To reheat red cabbage, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, until warm and crispy (add 1-2 minutes if frozen). For a quicker option, microwave for about 1 minute on high, but note that the cabbage will lose the crispy edges with this method
More Air Fryer Cabbage Recipes to Try
Air Fryer Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Cabbage and Bacon in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Cabbage and Onions
Easy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges
Air Fryer Cabbage and Potatoes
Final Thoughts
Cooking red cabbage in the air fryer is so simple, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it before! Tender cabbage with perfectly caramelized edges is a winner, whether you choose to serve this up as a side dish, or a vegetarian main course.
Cabbage is so versatile, lending itself well to these easy “steaks”, but it’s equally delicious in wedges, fries, or just shredded. You can even use leftovers in your sandwiches, wraps, and more!
Flavor your cabbages any way you like, with bold flavors like garlic, mustard, vinegar, or sweetness from cooked apples and caramelized onions. You really can’t go wrong, so try your favorite combinations!
Air Fryer Red Cabbage Steaks
Air fryer red cabbage steaks cook up beautifully caramelized in about 20 minutes. They’re perfect as a vegetarian entree, or as a side dish to a protein of your choice.
Place the slices of cabbage into the air fryer basket in a single layer, then brush the tops with half of the mustard mixture
Cook for 10 minutes on the air fry setting at 375°F. Then, flip the steaks, brush with the other half of the mustard, and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, until tender and browned to your liking
Serve Hot
Notes
The butter may be swapped for olive oil if preferred
Any kind of mustard is fine, or you can use vinegar such as red wine, white, apple cider, or balsamic for tanginess
Other good seasoning choices would be paprika, seasoned salt, parsley, barbecue, or Cajun
Variations: Feel free to add cooked, diced bacon on top or parmesan cheese for different flavor variations
The more evenly you cut your cabbage steaks the better, as that promotes even cooking
I got about 8 slices from a medium cabbage, and I can cook 4 at a time in my 8-qt Ninja air fryer. You can scale up or down as needed depending on desired number of servings, and cook in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding your air fryer
If you notice any leaves coming loose when you flip the cabbage steaks, remove them. They can get blown up into your heating element otherwise and burn
Store leftover cabbage steaks once completely cooled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months for longer term storage
To reheat red cabbage, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, until warm and crispy (add 1-2 minutes if frozen). For a quicker option, microwave for about 1 minute on high, but note that the cabbage will lose the crispy edges with this method
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fryer red cabbage, air fryer red cabbage steaks, cabbage side dishes, easy vegetable recipes, ninja air fryer red cabbage, red cabbage recipes, roasted cabbage
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
