Air Fryer Cabbage with Peanut Sauce

Name: Air Fryer Cabbage with Peanut Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 head green cabbage; 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil; Salt + pepper; Sesame seeds + chopped coriander (cilantro), to garnish; 3 tablespoons peanut butter; 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup; 1 clove garlic, minced; ~3 tablespoons water, to thin

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This air fryer cabbage is a quick and easy healthy side that pairs with any meal. Cabbage wedges are roasted until tender with slightly crisp edges then drizzled in a luscious peanut butter sauce.

Air fryer roasted cabbage wedges on a plate. Peanut sauce is drizzled on top with sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

Cabbage is one of my favourite green vegetables. It’s tasty, nutritious and really easy to prepare. This air fryer cabbage recipe takes things up a notch by roasting it until crispy, and then finishing it with a delectable peanut butter sauce and sesame seeds.

Despite its simplicity, it feels fancy and makes for a fantastic side to any meal. Whether you’re having chicken, beef, fish, or tofu steaks, this cabbage is sure to complement it perfectly. This would also an ideal choice for St. Paddy’s day celebrations! While cabbage can be prepared in a variety of ways, I personally adore the crispy edges that it gets when cooked in the air fryer.

Close up shot of roasted cabbage wedges on a plate with tongs. Peanut sauce is drizzled on top with sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

Ingredients you’ll need

For this air fryer cabbage recipe you’ll need a cabbage plus some condiments to make the sauce.

Cabbage: I used 1/2 a green cabbage but you can also use red.
Oil: You’ll need a little olive or avocado oil to lightly grease the cabbage and help the seasonings stick.
Salt + pepper: to season the cabbage.
Peanut Butter: To make the peanut sauce. You can sub almond butter or tahini to keep it nut-free.
Soy sauce: This gives the sauce the salty umami flavour.
Honey/ maple syrup: To naturally sweeten the sauce.
Lime Juice: This adds a bright and citrusy flavour to the sauce.
Garlic: Mince 1 clove of fresh garlic to add an incredible flavour to the sauce.
Water: helps thin down the sauce.
Sesame seeds
Coriander (cilantro)

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

Ingredients shown to make this cabbage recipe.

How to make air fryer cabbage

To start, remove the cabbage stem, cut in half and slice it into small wedges.

Next, spray or brush the cabbage with oil and season it with salt and pepper. Transfer to a greased air fryer basket.

Air fry the cabbage at 180C/ 350 for 15 minutes, checking on it halfway through. Cook until the cabbage reaches your desired level of crispness, but be careful not to let it burn towards the end.

Meanwhile, prepare the peanut butter sauce, whisk together peanut butter, honey, lime juice, garlic, and water until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Serve the cabbage steaks on a plate, drizzle with he peanut butter sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with coriander (cilantro). Enjoy!

How to make air fryer cabbage steaks

Begin by adding 1/3 cup of water into the basket and preheat air fryer to 375F / 190C.

Next, slice the cabbage into steaks and arrange them in a single layer in the basket.

Brush both sides of the cabbage steaks with olive oil and season to taste.

Air fry the cabbage for 8-12 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness.

Repeat until all of the steaks are cooked.

Tips and variations

Cooking time for air fryer cabbage depends on the size of the slices and how crispy or wilted you prefer it. For a crunchier texture, cook for less time, while a more wilted and crispy cabbage may require a longer cooking time.
Don’t crowd the air fryer basket; leave a bit of space between each cabbage piece.
Use different seasonings to change up the flavours to suit your meal. Try Italian herbs, taco seasoning blend for a Mexican vibe or garlic and ginger for an Asian flare
Instead of the peanut butter sauce, use lemon tahini sauce, ranch or serve on a bed of hummus. YUM!
Use a different cabbage: While I prefer green cabbage, you can also use red cabbage, savoy, or Napa cabbage (Wombok).

Crispy cabbage wedges on a plate with tongs. Peanut sauce is drizzled on top with sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

How to store

Leftovers can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing cooked cabbage.

Recipe FAQ’s

What temperature should you cook cabbage in the air fryer?

Cook air fryer roasted cabbage at 180C/ 350F.

How long to cook cabbage in the air fryer?

This will depend on the size of the cabbage slices, and how wilted you prefer it to be. For shredded cabbage: 8-12 minutes, cabbage steaks: 8-10 minutes and cabbage wedges 15-18 minutes. If you like it with crispy edges, cook it for a bit longer.

Can you cook air fryer cabbage without oil?

Yes, you can make this roast cabbage without oil. However, I recommend spraying it in a little oil so it doesn’t dry out.

Roasted cabbage wedges on a plate. Peanut sauce is drizzled on top with sesame seeds and coriander leaves.

More air fryer side dishes

Air Fryer Carrots & Potatoes

Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower

Air Fryer Potato Croquettes

Air Fryer Broccoli & Cauliflower Parmesan

If you try this air fryer cabbage recipe or have a question, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.