Easy Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon + Video

Name: Easy Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 1 small head green cabbage (washed); 1/4 yellow onion (chopped); 2 slices bacon (cut into pieces); 1/3 teaspoon salt; 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/3 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon water; 1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

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This scrumptious Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon Recipe is a quick and easy side dish you’ll love! Seasoned cabbage is mixed with bacon and onion, then air fried to make the best fried cabbage!

Like cabbage recipes? Try my popular Fried Cabbage with Sausage and Peppers next!

Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon being lifted up by a wooden spoon. — Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon

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Recipe Video:

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

This air fried cabbage can be made in just 20 minutes or less.
An easy side for chicken, beef, pork, and burgers!
Make this for an easy weeknight side dish or for the holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Just like my Air Fryer Green Beans with Bacon, this recipe can be made as a quick and easy low carb meal.

Air fryer cabbage with bacon and onions in a black air fryer basket on a wood cutting board.

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Other Easy Air Fryer Side Dishes:

Q&A:

How can I make my bacon crispier?

If you prefer your bacon super crispy, you can cook it separately on the stove or air fryer until it reaches your desired crispness.

Can I use shredded cabbage?

Yes, shredded cabbage works for this recipe as well.

How do you cut cabbage?

Please see my instructional pictures below.

Fried cabbage with bacon, onions, and seasonings.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Fried Cabbage?

Equipment Needed:

Air Fryer

Ingredients:

Olive Oil - I used olive oil, but you can use whatever cooking oil you’d regularly use.
Green Cabbage - You will need one small head of green cabbage.
Yellow Onion - You will need ¼ piece of onion. Store the rest for use later.
Bacon - Bacon adds so much flavor!
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes
Apple Cider Vinegar - This enhances the flavor of the cabbage.
Water - You will need just a little water to add to the cabbage to help it become more tender while cooking it in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Instructions:

1. Remove outer leaves from cabbage. Locate the cabbage’s core and cut in half lengthwise and then into quarters.

Outer leaves of a head of green cabbage being torn off, then the cabbage is cut in half and then into fourths on a wood cutting board.

2. Cut out the white core and chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces.

White core of a head of green cabbage being cut off and then the remaining cabbage leaves are cut into pieces on a wood cutting board.

3. Chop the onion and cut the bacon into 1-inch pieces.

Chopped onion on a wood cutting board and chopped bacon on a gray plate on a wood cutting board.

4. Add the chopped cabbage and onion to a bowl and toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar and water.

Air fryer cabbage recipe ingredients tossed in a silver mixing bowl.

5. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and set the timer to 12 minutes.

Black air fryer panel with a silver dial being set to 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 minutes.

6. Add the cabbage mixture to the air fryer and top with bacon pieces.

Cabbage topped with bacon pieces in a black air fryer basket on a wood cutting board.

7. Cook for 12 minutes stirring every 4 minutes.

Air fryer cabbage being stirred with a gray spoon in a black air fryer basket every 4 minutes until done.

8. Once done, remove from air fryer. Let cool, then enjoy!

Recipe Variations And Substitutions:

Try different seasonings: Smoked paprika, Old Bay Seasoning, Cajun Seasoning.
Bacon pieces - Store-bought cooked bacon pieces can be used (real bacon). Just sprinkle them on after cooking the cabbage.
Smoked sausage can be used instead of bacon.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or the air fryer at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 1-2 minutes until warm.

Pro Tips:

Keep an eye on the cabbage and stir every four minutes to prevent the leaves from burning.
Do not overfill the air fryer basket. Only fill the basket up halfway. Cook in batches or store any uncooked cabbage to make my Fried Cabbage with Sausage recipe next.
If you prefer extra crispy bacon, then you can cook the bacon on the stove or in the air fryer beforehand, separately from the cabbage.
The cabbage in this recipe is very tender. Cook for less time if you would like the cabbage more firm. Check the cabbage until it reaches your desired texture.
The air fryer I used was the Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart. Since all air fryers are different, you will need to adjust the cook time based on the air fryer you are using.