Air fryer cabbage
Air fryer cabbage turns a single vegetable into a tasty side with almost no effort. The air fryer leaves the core tender while giving the edges a light char. Enjoy the cabbage with roasted hazelnuts and crème fraiche. Quick and simple, this recipe brings new life to an everyday ingredient.
Ingredients
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1
Pointed cabbage
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2 tbsp
Butter
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1 tsp
Flaky salt
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½ tsp
Black pepper
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To serve
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35 g
Hazelnuts
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25 g
Fresh parsley
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1
Lemon
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1 tsp
Chilli flakes
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200 ml
Creme fraiche
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Instructions
To serve
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
Preheat your air fryer to 180 °C for 3–5 minutes before adding the cabbage wedges. Starting with a hot basket helps the cabbage brown beautifully at the edges while keeping the core tender. If you do skip this step, the cooking time may be a little longer, and the texture slightly softer.
Arrange the cabbage wedges in a single layer with a little space between each, allowing the air to circulate freely. The steady airflow is what gives the cabbage its crisp edges and evenly cooked centres. If the air fryer basket is small, cook in batches and keep the finished wedges warm in the oven.
If you cannot find crème fraiche flavoured with tarragon, lemon, and garlic, it is easy to make your own. Stir together plain crème fraiche with finely chopped tarragon, a small grated clove of garlic, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Let it sit in the fridge for about 10–15 minutes before serving, so the flavours have time to blend.
FAQ: Questions about air fryer cabbage
If you are new to cooking cabbage in an air fryer, this section has all the answers you need to succeed with the recipe. These answers cover timing, cutting, doneness, and storage so you serve perfectly cooked wedges every time.
How long to cook cabbage in an air fryer?
Set the air fryer to 180 °C and cook the cabbage wedges for about 15 minutes. Thicker wedges may need up to 20 minutes. Start checking around the 10–12-minute mark. Pierce the thickest part with a fork; it should slide in easily, with edges looking browned and crisp.
Do I need to keep the root attached when cutting the cabbage?
Yes, the root should stay attached when cutting cabbage into wedges. The root helps keep each wedge together, preventing the leaves from separating as they cook. This ensures the outer leaves crisp up nicely while the inner parts stay tender. Wedges with the root intact are also easier to manage and fit better in the air fryer basket.
How should I store leftover air fryer cabbage?
Before you store leftover air fryer cabbage, let it cool completely to prevent condensation and sogginess. Then, put the cabbage in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. It is best to store any toppings and dips like hazelnuts, parsley, lemon, and crème fraiche separately to keep their texture and taste. When you want to reheat it, set the air fryer to 160–175 °C for 3–5 minutes to make it crispy again. Add fresh toppings after reheating.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
1253 Kcal
| Fibre | - | 33 gram fibers |
| Protein | 6.4 | 19.8 gram |
| Fat | 77.1 | 109.2 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 16.5 | 50.9 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
Easy and crispy air fryer cabbage in no time
When you need a quick, flavour-packed side dish, air fryer cabbage is a winner. In just 20 minutes, pointed cabbage transforms into something truly irresistible — soft and tender, just as you imagine it, but with golden, caramelised edges that are lightly crisp.
The air fryer does all the legwork for you, circulating hot air around each wedge so it cooks evenly without drying out. A simple brush of butter & rapeseed oil helps the cabbage brown beautifully, while flaky salt and black pepper make for a simple seasoning to bring out its natural sweetness.
It is proof that the simplest vegetables can become the most memorable ones when you cook them the right way.
With flavoured crème fraiche and a fresh and crispy topping
Have you ever tried a side that is both simple and spectacular? Well, thanks to the dip and toppings, this air fryer cabbage recipe is. A cool, velvety base of crème fraiche with tarragon, lemon, and garlic adds richness and tang, pairing beautifully with the cabbage’s subtle sweetness.
On top is a sprinkle of toasted hazelnuts, which brings a satisfying crunch. Fresh parsley and lemon zest swoop in next, bringing a garden-bright freshness that cuts through the richness, while a bit of chilli flakes adds just the right hint of heat to keep your taste buds on their toes.
A simple side that goes with everything
Air fryer cabbage is one of those dishes that fits effortlessly into almost any meal. It is light enough to serve alongside grilled fish or lemon-roast chicken but bold enough to hold its own next to hearty cuts of pork with crackling or roast lamb with wild garlic.
Serve it as part of a festive roast dinner with creamy mashed potatoes, a simple midweek meal, or even as a vegetarian main with a side of crusty bread. Combine it with other air fryer sides like air fryer broccoli or air fryer roast potatoes. However you plate it, it will always bring freshness, flavour, and a little something unexpected to the table.
Explore different versions of the recipe
This recipe is just the starting point; the fun really begins when you start playing with it. Try swapping the hazelnuts for toasted almonds, which add gentle sweetness, or walnuts for a slightly bitter, earthy note. You can also sprinkle the cabbage with grated Parmesan or brush it with a little balsamic glaze before air frying to create a rich, savoury crust.
Drizzle the cabbage with tahini and pomegranate seeds for a Middle Eastern twist, or add crumbled white cheese and roasted chickpeas for a Mediterranean-style side. Experiment with new flavour combinations and make cabbage a staple in your kitchen.
