If you’re looking to transform humble cabbage into a crispy, flavorful side that feels both cozy and exciting, you’re in the right place. The Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe takes those thick green wedges, coats them in simple seasonings, and uses your air fryer to deliver irresistibly crispy edges with tender, melting centers. This recipe is perfect when you want a quick snack, a family-friendly side, or a healthy upgrade to your usual dinner lineup. Trust me, even folks who usually skip cabbage will be asking for seconds once they try this.
Jump to:
What Makes This So Good
This Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe is such a winner because it creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors without extra fuss. The air fryer crisps the cabbage just right, making the outside beautifully crunchy while the cabbage’s interior stays tender and juicy. It’s an easy way to make a vegetable feel indulgent and crave-worthy.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: The combination of garlic powder and paprika gives a smoky richness, all with just a few pantry staples.
- Family-Friendly: A great way to sneak in extra veggies, even picky eaters love these crispy wedges.
- Simple Ingredients: You really just need a cabbage, some oil, and a few seasonings – no complicated prep.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s weeknight dinner or a weekend snack, it comes together in under 20 minutes.
Ingredient Guide
Before you get started on your Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe, let’s chat about your ingredients. Choosing the right cabbage and quality seasonings can make a big difference in flavor and texture. Plus, I’ll suggest some easy swaps if you need them.
- Cabbage: Look for a fresh, firm green cabbage with tightly packed leaves. It will hold together better when cut into wedges and crisp up nicely.
- Olive Oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds subtle fruitiness and helps the seasonings stick, plus it promotes golden crispiness.
- Garlic Powder: This gives that warm, savory note without overpowering the cabbage. You can swap with onion powder or smoked paprika for a different twist.
- Paprika: Adds mild smokiness and a lovely color on the wedges. Smoked paprika amps up the flavor even more if you’re feeling bold.
- Salt & Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural sweetness of the cabbage.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements and instructions are waiting for you down in the recipe card below – keep scrolling!
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, cut your cabbage into uniform wedges—think thick enough to hold their shape but not so thick they’ll be uncooked in the center. I like to leave the core intact on each wedge to help hold everything together.
Once cut, toss the wedges in a large bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure every surface is lightly coated; this oil and seasoning combo is the secret to those tantalizing crispy edges!
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
Arrange the seasoned cabbage wedges in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer so the hot air can circulate freely. Cook them for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’ll want to watch for the wedges turning golden with those crispy bits forming on the edges.
As they cook, you’ll notice a cozy, slightly smoky aroma filling your kitchen. That’s a great sign your Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe is coming together beautifully. If you want them extra crispy, a minute or two more won’t hurt—just keep a close eye.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Once cooked, remove the wedges carefully and give them a final sprinkle of salt if needed. Serve them warm to enjoy the best crispy-to-tender contrast. I love pairing them simply with a squeeze of fresh lemon or a drizzle of your favorite dipping sauce like garlic aioli or a spicy mayo.
These golden wedges naturally look stunning on a platter with a little fresh parsley or chives for color—sometimes the simplest finishes make the biggest impression.
Extra Helpful Tips
I want you to feel confident nailing this Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe every time. Here’s some extra insight from my own kitchen experiments that should help.
- Watch for This Sign: When the edges have a caramelized, golden-brown color and the wedges have a slight give when pressed, they’re perfectly cooked.
- Temperature Trick: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; this traps steam and prevents crispiness. Work in batches if needed.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can season the wedges a few hours ahead and keep in the fridge, just bring them to room temp before cooking to ensure even crisping.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Skipping the flip during cooking reduces even browning, so don’t forget to turn them halfway through!
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
Want to kick your Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe up a notch? Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan before serving, or toss with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for earthy notes. A drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze or hot honey brings an irresistible contrast to the crispy wedges.
Tasty Pairings
These wedges go great alongside grilled chicken or fish, and for veggie lovers, pair them with roasted root vegetables or a creamy avocado dip. For drinks, a crisp white wine or zesty lemonade complements the slight smokiness beautifully.
Quick Plating Tips
To serve, arrange wedges overlapping slightly on a warm platter, then sprinkle chopped herbs and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. Add small bowls of your preferred dips for guests to enjoy. The presentation looks effortless but makes a statement every time.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
You can store leftover crispy cabbage wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind they’ll soften a bit as they cool, but reheating can crisp them back up nicely.
Freezer Friendly?
While you can freeze cooked cabbage wedges, they won’t stay as crispy—the texture changes and becomes softer. If you plan to freeze, flash freeze the wedges first on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer for best results.
Reheat Like New
For crispy reheating, pop the wedges back in your air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. If you don’t have an air fryer, a hot skillet with a bit of oil works well to re-crisp the edges. Avoid reheating in the microwave alone—it makes them soggy.
Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Red cabbage works wonderfully in this recipe and adds a beautiful pop of color. Just note that it might have a slightly stronger flavor, but the cooking time remains the same.
It’s best to remove any wilted or damaged outer leaves for freshness, but don’t peel away too much. The outer leaves add great texture when cooked and help the wedges hold their shape.
I recommend cooking in batches if your air fryer is small to avoid overcrowding, which leads to steaming instead of crisping. Crispiness comes from good air circulation around each wedge.
You can sprinkle Parmesan in the last 2 minutes of cooking to help it melt and crisp up, but be careful not to add it too early or it may burn.
Final Flavor Thoughts
I love how this Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe offers an easy way to enjoy a veggie side that’s anything but boring. Once you try it, I’d love to hear if you gave it a star rating or added a fun twist—maybe your favorite spice blend or a zesty dipping sauce. Cooking is always more fun when you make it your own, and these cabbage wedges are a great place to start!
Print📖 Recipe
Crispy Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges Recipe
Crispy and flavorful air fryer cabbage wedges seasoned with garlic powder, paprika, and olive oil for a simple, healthy side dish that’s quick to prepare and deliciously satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 head of cabbage, cut into wedges
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for even cooking.
- Season Cabbage: In a large bowl, toss the cabbage wedges with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until the wedges are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Arrange Wedges: Place the seasoned cabbage wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow hot air circulation around each piece.
- Air Fry: Cook the cabbage wedges for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking to ensure they become crispy and golden on all sides.
- Serve: Remove the cabbage wedges from the air fryer once crispy and tender, then serve warm as a delicious and healthy side dish.
Notes
- Cut cabbage into even wedges to ensure uniform cooking.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more paprika or garlic powder if desired.
- Flipping halfway through cooking is essential for achieving an even crispiness.
- You can add a squeeze of lemon juice or sprinkle Parmesan cheese after cooking for extra flavor.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on air fryer model and wedge thickness.
Leave a Reply