Air-Fried Cabbage Steaks: A Quick, Tasty Treat

Air fryer cabbage steaks are a delicious and healthy way to prepare cabbage. They are quick and easy to make, and the air fryer saves a lot of time compared to cooking them in the oven. The air fryer gives the cabbage a golden and tender veggie steak with hints of caramelization on the outside and a crispy texture. You can cut the cabbage into steaks or wedges, brush them with olive oil or butter, and then sprinkle on a seasoning mix of your choice. The cooking time is around 8-15 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your cabbage. This dish is perfect as a vegetarian main or as a tasty side to almost any entrée!

Choosing and preparing your cabbage

When choosing your cabbage, look for a firm head of cabbage that is fresh. You can use either regular green cabbage or purple cabbage.

To prepare the cabbage, start by removing the outer leaves and discarding them. Then, cut off the stem and slice the cabbage into rounds or steaks about 1/2- to 3/4-inch thick. You should end up with around four evenly sized flat discs of cabbage. If you are making wedges instead of steaks, cut the cabbage into wedges by slicing it from the top down while keeping the stem attached. This will help hold the cabbage together.

Once you have cut your cabbage, brush both sides of the cabbage discs or wedges with olive oil or butter. You can also sprinkle or brush your choice of seasonings onto the cabbage at this point, or you can wait and add the seasonings after preheating your air fryer.

Making the seasoning

To make the seasoning, simply add all of your chosen spices to a small bowl and whisk them together until they are well combined. You can then brush this spice mixture onto both sides of your cabbage steaks, making sure to get a nice even coating. If you want to get creative, you can also try adding other spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, or Cajun seasoning to give your cabbage steaks an extra kick.

Once your cabbage steaks are nicely coated in the seasoning, they are ready to be placed into the air fryer. But before you do that, there is one important step to ensure your cabbage steaks cook up nice and tender - adding a bit of water to the bottom of your air fryer basket. This helps to steam the cabbage while it cooks and prevents it from drying out or becoming soggy.

Now you're ready to air fry your delicious and perfectly seasoned cabbage steaks!

Brushing the cabbage with oil and seasoning

Brushing the cabbage steaks with oil is an important step in the cooking process. Oil helps the spices to adhere to the cabbage and also gives a nice caramelised edge to the cabbage steaks. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, or butter to brush the cabbage steaks. Make sure to brush both sides of the cabbage steaks with oil.

After brushing the cabbage steaks with oil, it's time to season them. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, Old Bay seasoning, dried parsley, and caraway seeds. You can also add some heat with chilli flakes, chilli powder, or cayenne pepper. Simply sprinkle the seasonings of your choice over the oiled cabbage steaks, making sure to coat both sides evenly.

Once the cabbage steaks are brushed with oil and seasoned, they are ready to be placed in the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cabbage steaks in batches to ensure even cooking.

Air-frying the cabbage

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage

Remove any loose outer leaves from the cabbage and cut off the stem. Cut the cabbage into round slices or steaks, aiming for a thickness of about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch. You should end up with several flat discs or steaks of cabbage.

Step 2: Season the Cabbage

In a small bowl, prepare your seasoning mix by combining your chosen spices and herbs. You can use a simple mix of olive oil, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt, or get creative with additions like brown sugar, parmesan cheese, parsley, or Old Bay seasoning. Brush both sides of the cabbage discs or steaks with oil and then sprinkle the seasoning blend generously over them.

Step 3: Air-Fry the Cabbage

Preheat your air fryer to 360-375°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes. Spritz or brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned cabbage steaks into the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.

Step 4: Adjust Cooking Time and Serve

Air fry the cabbage steaks at the preheated temperature for 10-15 minutes. Check on them at the 10-minute mark. If you prefer your cabbage with crispy edges, cook for closer to 15 minutes. The cabbage is done when it is tender and golden brown. Serve immediately for the best texture and taste.

Storage and Reheating

You can store leftover cabbage steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F for about 3-5 minutes until heated through.

Serving suggestions

Air fryer cabbage steaks are a great vegetarian light meal or side dish. They pair well with a variety of proteins and can be served as part of a nutritious snack or light meal. Here are some ideas for how to serve them:

• As a side dish with a protein main course such as steak, cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken, or ham.
• As a vegetarian main dish with sides such as air fryer cauliflower tots, air fryer green bean casserole, or air fryer broccoli and cheese casserole.
• With a filling chickpea salad for a nutritious snack or light meal.
• In wraps or sandwiches: use the steak in a burger, wrap or sandwich for a crunchy, spicy kick.
• With a hearty grain or starch such as potato wedges, brown rice, or quinoa.
• With crispy tofu or fried chicken.
• With a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
• With a dip of your choice.
• With seafood like glazed salmon.

Frequently asked questions