Gluten-Free Baked Cheesy Cabbage Cakes: a Weight-Loss-Friendly Side Dish
Gluten-Free Baked Cheesy Cabbage Cakes
Why I Love This Recipe
These cheesy cabbage cakes are crispy on the outside, tender in the middle, and wildly satisfying for something that’s made of mostly vegetables. They’re the kind of savory, snacky side dish that feels fun and filling, and they come together with a handful of everyday ingredients. I’ve been making them on repeat when I want something easy, oven-baked, and packed with flavor—without standing over a pan of oil.
Why This Works Great for a Side Dish
These work for so many meals. Serve them alongside eggs for a savory breakfast, tuck them into lunchboxes, or pair them with grilled chicken, turkey, pork chops, or even fish for dinner. Since they’re naturally portioned into little cakes, they’re great for meal prep. Plus, they offer some fiber and protein in a fun format that makes vegetables way more exciting than a plain steamed side. And come on, so cheesy!
Why is This Recipe Good for Weight-Loss?
Each bite-sized cake is satisfying without being heavy, thanks to the high volume from cabbage and the staying power from the egg and cheese. You get that cheesy, comfort-food flavor with fewer calories than a traditional fritter or potato pancake. They’re baked instead of fried, so you're skipping unnecessary oil while still getting that crispy golden texture. And since they’re already portioned, it’s easy to track or adjust based on your goals.
Ingredient Spotlight: Bagged Shredded Cabbage
Bagged shredded cabbage (sometimes labeled as “coleslaw mix” when it includes carrots) is the ultimate shortcut. No slicing, no prep—just open the bag and you’re good to go. It’s affordable, lasts longer in the fridge than leafy greens, and takes on flavor like a champ. I love using it in recipes like this where you don’t need to precook it—just mix and bake.
Variations
Make it spicy:
Add a pinch of cayenne, or stir in some chopped pickled jalapeños for a
Swap the cheese:
Use pepper jack, mozzarella, or a sharp white cheddar depending on your vibe.
Add more veg:
Fold in finely chopped spinach, green onion, or grated carrot. Basically, anything you can grate and eat raw can go into these!
Try a dip:
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or your favorite dipping sauce (ranch or chipotle mayo are both solid options).
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I Have Celiac. How Do I Make This Safely Gluten Free?
You're in good hands — I have celiac disease too, so this recipe was made with gluten safety in mind! Here’s how to keep it close to 100% safe:
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Make sure your key ingredients are certified gluten-free:
I like using gluten-free seasoned breadcrumbs, or you can season your own plain gluten-free breadcrumbs with Italian herbs, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Double-check that your spices are also labeled gluten-free —cross-contamination can sneak in where you least expect it. I recommend buying block-cheddar-cheese, because sometimes the pre-shredded cheese contains a caking agent that has wheat in it. The rest of the ingredients (eggs, cabbage, fresh herbs) are naturally gluten-free and easy to find. -
Avoid Cross-Contamination at Home
If you're not the only one in your house eating gluten-free, prep your food using dedicated gluten-free bowls, utensils, graters, and sheet pans.
How Else Can I Support My Weight Loss Goal?
You can stay in my circle! My name is Megan Gaul. I’m an online wellness coach specializing in weight loss and food freedom. My 100-lb weight loss journey, which began in 2018 here in Staten Island, New York (I’ve been maintaining my healthy weight range since then), was the catalyst I needed to start my coaching career in 2021. I have a number of resources that can help you:
- Grab your free Journey-Day-1 coaching call: Book Now
- Attend live Meal Planning classes every week, taught by yours-truly (join free here)
- Enroll in your 1-1 coaching program to get out of your negative cycle and actually lose weight for good: Learn More
- Follow my Instagram for more recipes and strategies, and all about Messy Life after Losing 100 lbs (find me at @partake_foodie)
Gluten-Free Baked Cheesy Cabbage Bites
Incredibly fun to eat, cheesy as all get-out, no chopping required, AND weight-loss friendly? That's what I'm talking about. This is one of my favorite side-dishes to make when I want something easy, cheesy, and satisfying. Plus, it's gluten-free (no flour in sight).
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F.
- Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and stir together until evenly combined and all the cabbage is well-moistened.
- Drop spoonfuls of your cabbage mixture evenly onto the parchment paper (you should get around 18 bites.) Space them at least an inch apart.
- Using a fork, gently flatten the spoonfuls of cabbage mixture until they're thin circles (they still shouldn't be touching).
- Bake at 425 for approximately 18-20 minutes, turning the pan around halfway through baking time. Take them out when they're golden-brown, firm to the touch, and perhaps starting to get a little bit of char. It's okay if the egg mixture has caused some of the bites to run together.
- Let cool a few minutes. Use a spatula to separate any bites that have cooked together, transfer to serving plate, and enjoy!
This wepbage provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online nutrition data from manufacturer and food retailer websites. By accessing or using this recipe, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the full nutrition information disclaimer for this website, which you can read in its entirety here.
Nutrition Disclaimer
This wepbage provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online nutrition data from manufacturer and food retailer websites. By accessing or using this recipe, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the full nutrition information disclaimer for this website, which you can read in its entirety using the link below.