Discover the incredibly easy and utterly delicious world of Air Fryer Red Cabbage Steaks! This versatile vegan side dish is perfect for anyone looking to add more vibrant vegetables to their meals with minimal effort. Seasoned simply with a sprinkle of BBQ spices, these roasted cabbage wedges are tender in the middle, beautifully crispy on the edges, and packed with an unexpected depth of flavor that will surprise and delight your taste buds. Whether you have leftover red cabbage or want a quick, healthy option, this air fryer recipe is a game-changer.

I stumbled upon this delightful dish when I had just a small amount of red cabbage left from another recipe. It wasn’t enough to warrant heating up the entire oven, so I turned to my trusty air fryer – and it delivered beyond expectation! The result was a flavorful, tender, yet crispy vegetable creation that quickly became a household favorite. This recipe proves that you don’t need complex ingredients or lengthy cooking times to create something truly special.

🛒 Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks

Making these flavorful cabbage steaks in the air fryer requires just a few simple ingredients. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the natural sweetness of the cabbage to shine through, complemented by your chosen seasoning.

• 2 Red Cabbage Slices: Aim for slices approximately ½-inch (1.27 cm) thick. This thickness ensures a good balance of tender interior and crispy exterior.
• BBQ Seasoning: This is my personal favorite for its smoky, savory, and slightly sweet notes that caramelize wonderfully on the cabbage. (You can explore other options below!)
• Cooking Oil Spray: A non-aerosol cooking oil spray is ideal for an even coating and to prevent sticking without using excessive oil.

While BBQ seasoning offers a fantastic flavor profile, don’t hesitate to experiment with other spices to suit your preferences. The seasoning plays a crucial role in defining the taste of your air fried cabbage. Here are a few alternative ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

• Indian Spices: A blend like curry powder or garam masala can add warm, aromatic notes.
• Old Bay Seasoning: For a savory, slightly spicy kick reminiscent of seafood boils.
• Cajun Spice: If you enjoy bold, zesty, and fiery flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: A classic blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for an herbaceous touch.

For an extra layer of richness, consider sprinkling some grated Parmesan cheese (or a vegan alternative) over the cabbage steaks during the last few minutes of cooking. This adds a salty, umami depth that is incredibly satisfying.

This recipe is highly adaptable to various air fryer models, including Ninja Foodi, Cosori, Pampered Chef Air Fryer, Actifry, Nuwave, Instant Vortex, Cuisinart, Philips, or Power Air Fryer. However, keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly based on your specific appliance’s wattage and basket size. If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, you might need to cook the cabbage steaks in batches to ensure they are in a single layer and cook evenly. I typically fit two cabbage steaks comfortably on my air fryer tray.

➕ How to Prepare Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks

Follow these simple steps to create perfectly cooked, flavorful air fryer cabbage steaks every time:

3. Season and Load

Mist all sides of the cabbage steaks generously with cooking oil spray. This provides a base for the seasoning to adhere to and helps promote browning and crisping. Next, sprinkle your chosen BBQ seasoning evenly over all surfaces of the cabbage. Don’t be shy with the seasoning—it’s what will infuse your cabbage with incredible flavor. Once seasoned, place the cabbage in the air fryer. If you’re using an air fryer oven, position the tray on the top rack for optimal air circulation and crisping.

4. Air Fry to Perfection

Air fry your cabbage steaks at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C) for a total cooking time of 10-20 minutes. After the initial 10 minutes, carefully flip the cabbage steaks. At this point, they might already be cooked to your liking—tender with some crispy edges. If they’re not quite done, continue air frying, checking at 5-minute intervals, until they reach your preferred level of doneness and crispiness.

The magic happens as the edges of these cabbage steaks undergo caramelization, transforming into wonderfully crispy, almost chip-like textures. These caramelized bits are often the most coveted part of the dish! Seriously, if you notice certain edges becoming perfectly crisp before the rest, don’t hesitate to snatch them up and enjoy them. They are truly delightful.

Pro Tip for Faster Cooking and More Crispy Bits: If you’re short on time or simply adore those crispy, caramelized edges, consider chopping or shredding the cabbage instead of cutting it into steaks. When using smaller pieces, simply toss them with the cooking spray and seasoning in a bowl before air frying. This method significantly reduces cooking time and maximizes the surface area for incredible crispiness!

📦 Air Fryer Red Cabbage Steaks Storage & Reheating

These air fryer red cabbage steaks are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored and reheated. Place any cooled, air fried cabbage steaks in a covered, food-safe container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. While it is technically possible to freeze cabbage steaks, the texture will likely change upon defrosting, becoming softer and losing some of their original crispness. For best results, consume within a few days.

To reheat, you have a couple of options: Gently warm them in the microwave for a quicker solution, though they may lose some crispness. For a crispier reheat, warm them in a skillet on the stovetop with a little oil over medium heat, or pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until heated through and re-crisped.

Air Fryer Red Cabbage Steaks (Vegan Recipe)

By Summer Yule

My air fryer red cabbage steaks are a simple and delicious vegan side dish, seasoned with a quick sprinkle of BBQ spices. This recipe is perfect for adding healthy, flavorful veggies to any meal.

Ingredients

• 2 slices red cabbage (½-inch thick or 1.27cm; about 4½-inches or 11.4cm in diameter)
• BBQ seasoning
• Cooking oil spray

Instructions

1. Slice two cabbage steaks ½-inch (1.27 cm) thick. It’s important to cut the “steaks” to a uniform thickness for even cooking. Leaving the core in place helps keep the cabbage steaks together (though we don’t eat the core).
2. After you’ve cut the cabbage, spray your air fryer tray or basket with cooking spray. Put the cabbage wedges in a single layer on the tray. Use toothpicks to secure loose leafy edges (if needed).
3. Mist all sides of the cabbage steaks with cooking spray. Sprinkle the BBQ seasoning on all sides. Put the cabbage in the air fryer (use the top rack position for air fryer ovens).
4. Air fry cabbage for a total of 10-20 minutes at 375℉ (190°C). Flip your cabbage steaks after 10 minutes of air frying (it might be done at this point). If it’s not done, check on it in 5-minute intervals until cooked to your liking.

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Knife

Expert Tips & Nutrition Notes

Nutrition Facts

Keywords

air fryer cabbage steaks, air fryer red cabbage steaks, vegan air fryer recipes, healthy side dish, roasted cabbage, quick vegetable recipe

🍗 How to Serve Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks

These savory air fryer cabbage steaks are incredibly versatile and make an excellent accompaniment to a wide array of main courses. Whether you’re looking for a vegan pairing or a complementary side for meat, poultry, or fish, these tender-crisp wedges fit right in. Here are some fantastic ideas for what to eat with cabbage steaks:

• Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters: The rich flavor of chicken pairs wonderfully with seasoned cabbage.
• Air Fryer Stuffed Burgers: A lighter, veggie-focused side complements hearty burgers perfectly.
• Smoked Tofu: An ideal plant-based protein pairing for a fully vegan meal.
• Air Fryer Bone-In Rib Eye Steak: For a satisfying, balanced meat-and-veg dinner.
• Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin: The savory pork and smoky bacon are a match made in heaven with cabbage.
• Kielbasa Sausage (Air Fryer Recipe): A classic combination, bringing a comforting, rustic feel to your meal.

Beyond these protein options, feel free to enhance your meal further by adding more complementary vegetables. Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions roast beautifully alongside cabbage, creating a hearty and nutritious plate.

👩🏻‍🍳 More Delicious Cabbage Recipes

If you’re now a fan of cooking with cabbage and looking for more innovative ways to incorporate this healthy vegetable into your diet, you’re in luck! Cabbage is incredibly versatile. Try these other fantastic recipes:

• Fermented Red Cabbage Sauerkraut: A tangy, probiotic-rich side or condiment.
• Keto Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls: All the flavor of traditional cabbage rolls without the fuss, perfect for low-carb diets.
• Inside Out Egg Rolls: A deconstructed take on egg rolls, featuring seasoned ground meat and cabbage.

And for a broader approach to air frying vegetables, don’t miss our Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables recipe. It’s packed with tips and tricks to perfectly cook some of your most popular frozen veggies in the air fryer, ensuring they come out crisp and delicious, never mushy!

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