Hispi Cabbage in the Air Fryer
Hispi cabbage, also sold as pointed cabbage or sweetheart cabbage, has tender, sweet leaves that need very little cooking. Boiled, it loses its flavour. In the air fryer it takes on a charred, crisp edge in about 12 minutes while the heart stays soft and buttery. This guide covers how to prepare it, the time and temperature, and a few simple toppings.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 17min
- Prep
- 5min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 80kcal
Why the air fryer works for hispi cabbage
Hispi cabbage in air fryer baskets suits the vegetable well. Its leaves are thin and loosely packed, so the hot air gets between them, and the tips crisp and char within minutes while the dense heart steams in its own moisture. The result is the sweet, smoky flavour that restaurants get from a hot grill or griddle.
Pointed cabbage is also quicker than a round white cabbage. A wedge is ready in 10–12 minutes, which is why it fits so well with fast meals. The same method works for sweetheart cabbage, which is simply another name for the same pointed variety, and for smaller spring greens.
How to make hispi cabbage in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the cabbage Peel off any tatty outer leaves and trim the base, but leave the core in place. Cut the cabbage in half from the pointed tip down to the base, then cut each half in half again to make 4 wedges. The core holds each wedge together.
- Oil and season Brush the wedges all over with the oil, getting it between the leaves. Season with salt and pepper on the cut sides.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 190 °C for .
- Cook Place the wedges cut side up in the basket without overlapping. Cook for , turning them once after , until the edges are charred and a knife slides easily through the thickest part.
- Finish Sprinkle the hot wedges with chilli flakes, squeeze over the lemon and serve straight away.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Hispi Cabbage | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hispi cabbage wedgesTurn once | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Half hispi cabbage | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
| Sweetheart cabbage wedges | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Shredded pointed cabbageShake every 2–3 minutes | 180 °C | 6–8 min |
| Crispy charred hispiWatch the tips | 200 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose a firm, heavy head. Hispi should feel dense, with fresh, tight leaves and no yellowing. A light head is dry in the middle.
- Oil is the key to char. A thin film of oil on each leaf, especially at the pointed tip, gives the dark, crisp edges. Dry leaves just dry out.
- Add flavour after cooking. Chilli flakes, lemon juice, toasted sesame seeds or a spoonful of garlic butter on the hot wedges taste better than seasoning that has been in the basket.
Serving
Serve hispi cabbage as a side with chicken thighs, salmon fillet or lamb chops, or make it the main part of a vegetarian plate with new potatoes and a tahini dressing. Hispi cabbage in an air fryer also goes well with miso butter. For a plainer alternative, see cabbage in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Leftover cabbage keeps for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat it, put the wedges in the air fryer at 180 °C for 3–4 minutes until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Do not cover them, or the edges will go soft.
Variations
- Miso butter: Melt 1 tbsp butter with 1 tsp white miso and brush it on the wedges for the last 2 minutes (not vegan or dairy-free).
- Parmesan and lemon: Sprinkle with grated parmesan and lemon zest after cooking (not vegan or dairy-free).
- Sesame and soy: Brush the cooked wedges with 1 tsp soy sauce mixed with 1 tsp sesame oil, and scatter over toasted sesame seeds. This is not gluten-free unless you use tamari.
Troubleshooting
- The leaves are burnt before the heart is soft
- The wedges are too thick or the heat is too high. Cut large heads into 6 wedges, or lower the temperature to 180 °C and add 2 minutes. Cover them with foil for the first 5 minutes if they are very dense.
- The cabbage tastes bland
- Hispi has a mild flavour and needs seasoning. Salt the cut sides well, brush oil between the leaves and add acid, such as lemon or vinegar, once it is cooked.
- The wedges fall apart
- The core was cut away. Keep a piece of the core on every wedge so the leaves stay together, and turn them with a fish slice, not tongs.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook hispi cabbage in an air fryer?
Wedges take 10–12 minutes at 190 °C, turned once. A half hispi cabbage takes 14–16 minutes at 180 °C.
Can you cook cabbage in an air fryer?
Yes. Cut it into steaks or wedges and cook it at 190 °C. Pointed cabbage is more tender than a round white cabbage, so it cooks in about 12 minutes, against 15 for white.
How do you prepare hispi cabbage?
Remove any damaged outer leaves, rinse and dry it, then cut it lengthways through the core. Do not cut out the core, as it holds the wedges together while they cook.
Is sweetheart cabbage the same as pointed cabbage?
Yes, sweetheart cabbage, hispi and pointed cabbage are all names for the same pointed type, and you can use them interchangeably in this recipe.
How do you get hispi cabbage charred in an air fryer?
Cook it cut side up at 190 °C and make sure the oil reaches the surface of each leaf. The thin tips char first, which gives the smoky taste.
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