Air-Fryer Ribs: Can You Fix Them?

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get tender, juicy, and flavorful results. The high temperature of the air fryer helps break down the connective tissue in the ribs, making them tender, while the forced circulating hot air creates a crispy exterior. In addition, the excess fat drips off during cooking, making the ribs leaner while still retaining their moisture.

How to prepare ribs for the air fryer

Preparing ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, tender, and juicy ribs. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare ribs for the air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds of baby back pork ribs
• Your choice of seasonings (e.g., BBQ spice rub, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne)
• BBQ sauce

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Cut a full rack of ribs in half to fit into the air fryer basket.
• Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.
• Season the ribs generously with your chosen seasonings. Cover both sides of the ribs. You can use a simple seasoning like salt and pepper, or create a spice rub with ingredients like brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and more.
• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F or 400°F.
• Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, meat side down, and cook for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes, use tongs to flip the ribs over and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
• Once the timer goes off, open the basket and brush the ribs with BBQ sauce.
• Close the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400°F.
• Remove the ribs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving.

For a deeper flavour, you can marinate the ribs with the spice rub for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator before air frying. This allows the spices to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more flavourful dish. Additionally, using a meat thermometer ensures the ribs reach a safe and juicy internal temperature. The ideal temperature for pork ribs is around 190°F to 203°F.

The best ribs to use in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to cook ribs quickly and easily, without compromising on taste and texture. While you can use an air fryer to cook ribs to your desired level of doneness, it's worth noting that the circulating air in the fryer can dry out the meat if cooked for too long. Therefore, the best type of ribs to cook in an air fryer are Baby Back Ribs.

Baby Back Ribs are ribs that have a lot of loin meat on them. They are best cooked fairly quickly and to a lower internal temperature, which is ideal for an air fryer.

Baby Back Ribs come from the upper rib cage of the pig and are tender and lean. They are also cut from the upper rib racks of pork and include riblets, loin ribs, and back ribs.

Other Types of Ribs

St. Louis Style Ribs and Spare Ribs are not ideal for the air fryer because the darker meat really benefits from low-and-slow cooking. This allows the collagen to break down and make the meat extra tender and juicy.

Beef ribs and lamb ribs can also be cooked in an air fryer but will take longer than pork ribs.

How long to cook ribs in an air fryer

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, tender, and juicy results. The cooking time will depend on the type of ribs you are using and your desired level of doneness, but on average, ribs will take around 30-45 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

Preparation

Before cooking, remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. You can do this by slicing off a small corner of the membrane and then using a paper towel to grip and pull it off. Then, cut the rack of ribs into several equal portions so that they fit into your air fryer. The number of portions will depend on the size of your air fryer.

Cooking Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F (175-195°C). Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, meat-side down, and cook for 20-30 minutes, turning them over halfway through.

Once the initial cooking time is up, remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush them with your favourite barbecue sauce. Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook, uncovered, for a further 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and caramelized.

Serving

Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes before serving. If desired, brush with additional barbecue sauce.

Tips

• For well-done ribs, the internal temperature of the meatiest part of the ribs should be 170-200°F (77-95°C). You can check this with a meat thermometer.
• For extra-tender ribs, marinate them in the barbecue rub for at least 2 hours or overnight before air frying.
• To prevent smoking, add a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will help to disperse the grease and add moisture to the meat.
• For fall-off-the-bone ribs, cook the ribs at a lower temperature for a longer period of time before finishing them off with a blast of heat.

Marinating vs dry rub for ribs

When it comes to preparing ribs, there are two popular methods to enhance their flavour: marinating and dry rubs. Both techniques have their own advantages and unique flavour profiles, so choosing between the two depends on your desired outcome and personal preference.

Marinating

Marinating involves soaking the ribs in a mixture of liquids, spices, herbs, and other seasonings combined with oil. This method not only adds flavour to the meat but also helps to tenderise it. The acidic ingredients in the marinade, such as vinegar or lemon juice, break down the meat's fibres, making it more tender. Marinating is an excellent option for ribs as it allows the flavours to penetrate deep into the layers of meat. It is recommended to marinate ribs overnight in the refrigerator to allow the spices to penetrate the meat and provide a more flavourful result. However, it is important to note that different types of meat require different marinating times. For example, beef and pork can be marinated for up to 12 hours, while flaky fish should only be marinated for 15 to 30 minutes to avoid becoming overly soft.

Dry Rub

A dry rub, on the other hand, is a blend of seasonings and spices without any wet ingredients. It is applied directly to the surface of the meat and can be done just before cooking or a few hours in advance. Dry rubs create a crisp, caramelised layer on the outside of the ribs, providing enhanced flavour and improved texture. They are ideal for barbecued meats like ribs as the fat keeps the meat moist while the dry rub caramelises on the outside. Additionally, dry rubs are versatile and can be customised to include a variety of spices such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, cumin, coriander, and black pepper.

Both marinating and dry rubs have their unique benefits. Marinating is excellent for adding flavour and tenderness to the meat, while dry rubs create a crisp, caramelised exterior. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your preference for texture and flavour. If you want tender, juicy ribs with a good amount of crisp, you can consider marinating them overnight and then finishing them off in the air fryer. On the other hand, if you prefer a more intense flavour and a crackly exterior, a dry rub might be the better option.

How to make BBQ sauce for ribs

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion
• 1/4 teaspoon Greek seasoning (optional)
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce

Method:

• Combine the brown sugar, white sugar, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, pepper, cumin, onion, and Greek seasoning (if using) in a small bowl.
• Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs.
• Place the ribs in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes, turning once halfway through.
• Brush the barbecue sauce over the ribs and air-fry for an additional 5 minutes.

You can also make a honey garlic glaze by combining honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of ginger. Brush this glaze on the ribs during the last few minutes of cooking to avoid burning.

Frequently asked questions