I never thought I’d get excited about cabbage until I tried making it in the air fryer. For years, I just boiled it or threw it in soups, and honestly, it was kind of boring. But then I discovered you could slice it into thick rounds—basically turning them into “steaks”—and cook them until the edges get all crispy and caramelized.
The air fryer is perfect for this because it gets cabbage nice and tender on the inside while crisping up the outside, all without heating up your whole kitchen. And with a little olive oil and some cajun seasoning, you’ve got yourself a side dish that actually tastes like something. My kids were skeptical at first, but they cleaned their plates. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that surprise you the most.
Why You’ll Love These Cabbage Steaks
- Ready in under 30 minutes – This recipe comes together quickly in your air fryer, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need a side dish fast.
- Minimal ingredients – You only need a head of cabbage and a few basic seasonings you probably already have in your pantry.
- Low-carb and healthy – These cabbage steaks are naturally keto-friendly and packed with nutrients, making them a guilt-free addition to any meal.
- Crispy and flavorful – The air fryer gives the cabbage crispy, caramelized edges while the Cajun seasoning adds a nice kick of flavor that makes this simple vegetable anything but boring.
What Kind of Cabbage Should I Use?
Green cabbage is your best bet for this recipe since it holds up well to the high heat of the air fryer and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs nicely with the Cajun seasoning. You’ll want to pick a head that feels heavy for its size and has tightly packed leaves – this means it’s fresh and will slice into nice, sturdy steaks that won’t fall apart. Red or purple cabbage can also work if that’s what you have on hand, though it tends to be a bit tougher and may need an extra minute or two of cooking time. Avoid using Napa or savoy cabbage for this recipe, as their looser, more delicate leaves won’t hold together well when sliced into steaks.
Options for Substitutions
This simple recipe is easy to customize based on what you have in your kitchen:
- Cabbage: Green cabbage is what you’ll typically use here, but purple cabbage works just as well and adds a nice pop of color to your plate. Just keep in mind that purple cabbage might take a minute or two longer to cook.
- Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works great – try avocado oil, vegetable oil, or even melted butter if you want a richer flavor.
- Cajun seasoning: Don’t have Cajun seasoning? You can make your own blend with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne. Or switch it up completely with Italian seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, or even just simple salt and pepper.
- Garlic powder: Fresh minced garlic can replace garlic powder – just use about 1 clove, minced, and mix it with the oil before brushing it on.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making cabbage steaks is cutting them too thin, which causes them to fall apart during cooking – stick to that 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness so they hold together and develop nice crispy edges.
Don’t skip adding water to the air fryer base, as this prevents the seasoning from burning and smoking up your kitchen while creating a bit of steam that helps cook the cabbage evenly.
Another common error is overcrowding the basket, so cook in batches if needed to ensure each steak gets proper air circulation and crisps up nicely.
Finally, resist the urge to flip the steaks halfway through – they’re delicate and flipping can cause them to break apart, so just let them cook undisturbed for the best results.
What to Serve With Cabbage Steaks?
These cabbage steaks make a great side dish for just about any protein you’re cooking up for dinner. I love pairing them with grilled chicken, pan-seared pork chops, or even a simple baked salmon fillet since the Cajun seasoning adds a nice kick that complements meat and fish really well. If you want to make it a full meal, serve them alongside some roasted potatoes or a scoop of creamy mashed cauliflower. You could also add a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of ranch dressing on top to balance out the spicy seasoning.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep your leftover cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’ll soften a bit as they sit, but they’re still really good! I like to chop them up and toss them into grain bowls or scrambled eggs for an easy veggie boost.
Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes to crisp them up again. You can also warm them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side. The microwave works in a pinch, but they won’t be as crispy.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 4 servings |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 130-170
- Protein: 5-7 g
- Fat: 11-15 g
- Carbohydrates: 12-18 g
Ingredients
- 1 head cabbage (cut into 1-inch thick rounds)
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil (I prefer Bertolli Extra Virgin for roasting)
- 2.5 teaspoons cajun seasoning (I use Slap Ya Mama for a nice kick)
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 360°F preheated air fryer
Step 1: Prepare Mise en Place and Preheat Air Fryer
- 2.5 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 360°F preheated air fryer
Combine the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
Pour 1/4 cup water into the air fryer base, then preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes while you prepare the cabbage.
Having everything measured and ready ensures you can season and cook efficiently without interruption.
Step 2: Cut and Season Cabbage Steaks
- 1 head cabbage
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- spice mixture from Step 1
Slice the cabbage head into 1-inch thick rounds to create steaks, keeping them intact.
Brush one side generously with olive oil, then sprinkle the spice mixture from Step 1 evenly over the oiled side.
I like to use a pastry brush for even seasoning distribution—it ensures every steaksgets consistent flavor coverage without over-oiling any one spot.
Step 3: Air Fry the Cabbage Steaks
- seasoned cabbage steaks from Step 2
- remaining olive oil
Lightly oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking, then arrange the seasoned cabbage steaks seasoned-side down in a single layer.
Brush the top side of each steak with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining spice mixture.
Air fry at 360°F for 8–10 minutes until the edges are caramelized and crispy and the cabbage is tender when pierced with a fork.
For extra crispy edges, I sometimes shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on both sides.
Step 4: Serve Hot
Transfer the cabbage steaks to a serving plate immediately while they’re still warm and crispy.
Serve as a side dish or light main course.
Keto Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
Ingredients
- 1 head cabbage (cut into 1-inch thick rounds)
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil (I prefer Bertolli Extra Virgin for roasting)
- 2.5 teaspoons cajun seasoning (I use Slap Ya Mama for a nice kick)
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 360°F preheated air fryer
Instructions
- Combine the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Pour 1/4 cup water into the air fryer base, then preheat the air fryer to 360°F for 5 minutes while you prepare the cabbage. Having everything measured and ready ensures you can season and cook efficiently without interruption.
- Slice the cabbage head into 1-inch thick rounds to create steaks, keeping them intact. Brush one side generously with olive oil, then sprinkle the spice mixture from Step 1 evenly over the oiled side. I like to use a pastry brush for even seasoning distribution—it ensures every steaksgets consistent flavor coverage without over-oiling any one spot.
- Lightly oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking, then arrange the seasoned cabbage steaks seasoned-side down in a single layer. Brush the top side of each steak with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining spice mixture. Air fry at 360°F for 8–10 minutes until the edges are caramelized and crispy and the cabbage is tender when pierced with a fork. For extra crispy edges, I sometimes shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Transfer the cabbage steaks to a serving plate immediately while they're still warm and crispy. Serve as a side dish or light main course.