Oh, let me tell you about my latest obsession—this crazy-delicious Air Fryer Red Cabbage (Sweet & Sour)! I stumbled onto this one night when I had half a sad-looking cabbage in the fridge and zero patience for complicated cooking. Fifteen minutes later? Magic. The air fryer gives it this perfect crispy-tender bite, while the honey and vinegar make it taste like something from a fancy bistro. I swear, my kids even ate it without complaining (which, if you’ve met my kids, is basically a miracle). Trust me—this is the easiest way to turn boring cabbage into a side dish people actually fight over.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Red Cabbage
Okay, let me count the ways this recipe will steal your heart:
- Speedy side dish – From fridge to plate in under 20 minutes (seriously, faster than takeout!)
- That perfect crunch – The air fryer gives it those crispy edges while keeping it tender inside
- Sweet & sour magic – The honey-vinegar combo makes your taste buds do a happy dance
- Sneaky healthy – Packed with nutrients but tastes like a treat
- Kid-approved – Even my vegetable-resistant crew asks for seconds!
Honestly? It’s the easiest way I’ve found to make vegetables exciting again.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Red Cabbage
Here’s what you’ll need for this flavor-packed side dish—I bet you’ve got most of it already:
- 1 small red cabbage (about 500g), thinly sliced – trust me, thinner slices = better crunch!
- 2 tbsp olive oil – helps get those crispy edges we love
- 1 tbsp honey – or maple syrup if you’re vegan
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar – that tangy kick is everything
- 1/2 tsp salt – balances the sweetness
- 1/4 tsp black pepper – just a little warmth
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional) – for those who like it spicy (hi, that’s me!)
See? Nothing fancy—just simple ingredients doing amazing things together.
How to Make Air Fryer Red Cabbage (Sweet & Sour)
Okay, let’s get cooking! This is so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it every week. Here’s how to turn that gorgeous purple cabbage into crispy, tangy perfection:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First things first – crank that air fryer to 190°C (375°F) and let it heat up while you prep. (Pro tip: preheating gives you those perfect crispy edges!) Grab your biggest bowl and toss in the thinly sliced cabbage – I’m talking really thin here, folks. Drizzle with olive oil, honey, vinegar, and sprinkle all those lovely seasonings. Now get in there with your hands and massage it all together – yes, like you’re kneading bread! This helps every single strand get coated in that sweet-sour goodness.
Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection
Spread the cabbage in your air fryer basket in a single layer – no piling up or you’ll get steamed cabbage instead of crispy (learned that the hard way!). Set the timer for 10 minutes, but here’s the secret: at the 5-minute mark, give that basket a good shake! I use tongs to flip and rearrange everything. When the timer dings, peek in – if you want it extra crispy (I always do), add another 2-3 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges start curling and getting those irresistible caramelized bits.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Red Cabbage
After making this at least a dozen times (what? I’m obsessed), here are my hard-earned secrets:
- Give it space! Overcrowding = soggy cabbage. Work in batches if needed.
- Taste as you go – Want more tang? Add vinegar. Sweeter? More honey!
- Serve immediately – It loses some crunch if it sits too long (but leftovers still taste amazing).
- Watch closely – All air fryers run differently. Check at 8 minutes your first time.
Follow these, and you’ll get restaurant-worthy results every single time.
Variations for Air Fryer Red Cabbage
Want to mix things up? Try these easy twists:
- Add crunch – Toss in walnuts or pecans during the last 2 minutes of cooking
- Swap the sweetener – Maple syrup works beautifully instead of honey
- Change the vinegar – Balsamic gives a deeper flavor, or try rice vinegar for mild tang
- Spice it up – A pinch of smoked paprika or curry powder adds warmth
My favorite? Adding crumbled feta after cooking—salty perfection!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Red Cabbage
This vibrant cabbage is crazy versatile! Pile it beside roasted chicken or pork chops for a colorful side, toss it into grain bowls for crunch, or my favorite—stuff it into tacos with avocado crema. It even jazzes up boring sandwiches!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
I’ll be honest—this air fryer red cabbage is best fresh, but if you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), here’s how to keep them tasty:
- Store: In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The vinegar helps it hold up!
- Reheat: Toss it back in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 2-3 minutes to revive that crunch.
Pro tip: If it looks dry, spritz with a tiny bit of oil before reheating.
Air Fryer Red Cabbage FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers from all my trial-and-error moments with this recipe!
Can I use green cabbage instead? Absolutely! Green cabbage works fine – it’ll taste just as delicious, though you’ll miss that gorgeous purple color. Just slice it extra thin since green cabbage can be tougher.
How do I prevent sogginess? Two words: single layer. Crowding the basket steams the cabbage instead of crisping it. If your air fryer’s small, cook in batches – it’s worth the wait for that perfect crunch!
Can I make this oil-free? You can skip the oil, but you’ll lose some crispiness. The vinegar helps prevent sticking, but you might need to stir more often.
Why is mine burning? All air fryers run differently! Start checking at 8 minutes – some models get hotter. If edges darken too fast, lower the temp by 10°C next time.
Can I prep ahead? Mix the sliced cabbage with other ingredients up to 2 hours before cooking, but don’t let it sit longer or it’ll get watery. The vinegar starts “cooking” it!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on why you can feel good about devouring this air fryer red cabbage:
- Calories: About 90 per serving
- Fat: 5g (mostly the good-for-you olive oil kind)
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: A solid 3g per serving – great for digestion!
Small print: These are estimates based on my exact ingredients – your numbers might wiggle a bit depending on honey measurements or cabbage size. But hey, it’s veggies with benefits!
Final Thoughts
There you have it—my go-to trick for turning humble red cabbage into something truly special. Give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out! (Bonus points if your kids eat it without bribery.)
Print
Simple Air Fryer Red Cabbage Recipe in Just 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 22 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and tasty side dish made with red cabbage, cooked in an air fryer for a crispy texture with a sweet and sour flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 small red cabbage (about 500g), thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
- In a large bowl, mix the sliced red cabbage with olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Transfer the cabbage to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Check for crispiness. Cook for 2-3 more minutes if desired.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra crunch, do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Adjust sweetness or sourness by adding more honey or vinegar to taste.
- Best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: air fryer red cabbage, sweet and sour cabbage, healthy side dish