Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges

These air fryer cabbage wedges are one of those recipes I didn’t expect to love as much as I do. The edges get crispy and caramelized, the centers turn tender and slightly sweet, and all it takes is a few basic ingredients I almost always have on hand.

While you’re at it, why not try some of my Air Fryer Shredded Chicken? You will love the versatility this meal brings! Let’s start with the air fryer cabbage wedges first, though! 

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Video Instructions
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• Instructions
• Pro Cooking Tips
• FAQs
• Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients, big payoff: There’s nothing fancy here, but the air fryer brings out so much flavor and texture in the cabbage.
• Crispy without deep frying: The edges brown beautifully while the inside stays tender — no oil splatter, no mess.
• Fast and reliable: I can have this on the table in under 30 minutes, start to finish.
• Naturally low-carb and vegetarian: It’s a side dish that works for a lot of different eating styles without any extra effort.

Video Instructions

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Cabbage: Green cabbage is my go-to because it crisps well and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Savoy cabbage is a good substitute if that’s what you have.
• Olive oil: This helps the edges brown. I’ve also used avocado oil and even melted butter when I want something a little richer.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder and black pepper keep it simple. Smoked paprika is optional, but I love the subtle warmth it adds. Chili powder or cumin works too if you want to change things up.
• Fresh garlic: I avoid adding it before cooking since it burns easily. If I want fresh garlic flavor, I add it right after air frying.

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Cabbage

Remove any loose outer leaves, then cut the cabbage into 8 even wedges. Make sure to keep the core intact — that’s what holds everything together while it cooks.

Step 2 – Season

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Arrange the cabbage wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket (this usually means cooking in batches), then brush the seasoning over all sides.

Step 3 – Air Fry

Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). The cabbage cooks for 12–15 minutes, flipping carefully halfway through, until the edges are golden and crispy and the centers are tender.

Step 4 – Serve

Serve these hot, straight from the air fryer. Sometimes I keep them simple, other times I add a squeeze of lemon, grated Parmesan, or a dipping sauce, depending on the meal.

Pro Cooking Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the basket: I’ve learned that cabbage needs space to crisp. When I crowd the basket, it steams instead of browning, so I always do batches if needed.
• Flip gently: I use tongs and turn the wedges carefully so they don’t fall apart. Keeping the core intact really helps here.
• Add extras after cooking: If I’m using cheese or fresh herbs, I wait until the cabbage is done. Adding them too early can lead to burning.