Air-Fried Pork Ribs: A Tasty, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to make pork ribs. They are quick, easy, and result in tender, juicy, and flavorful ribs. The air fryer's forced circulating hot air creates a crispy exterior, which is hard to achieve in a traditional oven.

The process is simple: remove the membrane from the ribs, cut the rack into sections, make a spice rub, season the ribs, and then cook in the air fryer. You can also add barbecue sauce for extra flavor.

The cooking time will vary depending on the type of ribs and your air fryer, but on average, it takes about 30 minutes to cook pork ribs in an air fryer.

So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to make pork ribs, give the air fryer a try!

Choosing the right cut of pork ribs

Spare Ribs:

Spare ribs are larger and meatier, typically coming from the belly side of the pig. They have a higher fat content, which contributes to their rich flavour. Spare ribs require a longer cooking time in the air fryer compared to other cuts. If you're after a more rectangular shape for uniform cooking, go for St. Louis-style ribs, which are a variation of spare ribs with the rib tips removed.

Baby Back Ribs:

Baby back ribs, also known as loin ribs, are smaller, more tender, and cut from the back of the pig near the spine. Their size and tenderness make them a popular choice for air frying, as they cook faster. Baby back ribs offer a nice balance of meat and fat, resulting in a crunchy exterior while staying juicy inside.

Country-Style Ribs:

If you're looking for a meatier option, country-style ribs are an excellent choice. They are cut from the pig's shoulder and have more meat than traditional ribs. This cut works well in the air fryer, especially if you prefer a heartier protein.

When selecting pork ribs, look for well-marbled ribs with an even thickness to ensure even cooking in the air fryer. Remember to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking, as this allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat better and ensures more tender ribs.

Preparing the ribs for the air fryer

Step 1: Remove the Membrane

Using a kitchen knife, carefully remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This step is important as it allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat better and enhances the overall flavour.

Step 2: Cut the Rack

Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cut the rack of ribs into two or three equal portions so they fit comfortably in the basket. Try to cut them into sections that will fit without too much overlap.

Step 3: Pat the Ribs Dry

Before applying any seasonings, use paper towels to pat the ribs dry. This step helps the seasonings adhere better to the meat and also promotes a crispier texture in the air fryer.

Step 4: Season the Ribs

In a small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper or create a more complex dry rub with spices like garlic powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and brown sugar. Rub the spice mixture generously over both sides of the ribs.

Step 5: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350-380°F (175-190°C). Many recipes recommend preheating for a few minutes before placing the ribs inside.

Step 6: Place Ribs in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the seasoned ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Place the ribs with the meat side down first.

Step 7: Cook the Ribs

Cook the ribs for the recommended time based on your air fryer's instructions and the desired doneness. For example, cook them for 20-30 minutes at 380°F for tender, juicy ribs. You can also wrap the ribs in aluminium foil before placing them in the air fryer, which makes cleanup easier.

Step 8: Brush with Barbecue Sauce (Optional)

Once the ribs are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and generously brush them with your favourite barbecue sauce. Return the sauced ribs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-10 minutes, depending on the desired sauce consistency.

Step 9: Rest and Serve

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender ribs.

Feel free to add more barbecue sauce if you prefer them extra saucy, and don't forget to serve them with your favourite sides!

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for pork ribs in an air fryer will depend on the type of ribs you are using and your desired level of doneness.

For baby back ribs, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 380°F. Then, cook the ribs for 20 to 30 minutes, turning them halfway through. After this, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes.

For spare ribs, increase the cooking time to 40 minutes. For country-style ribs, reduce the cooking time to 25 minutes.

If you are cooking boneless pork loin ribs, one source recommends cooking them for 15 minutes per side at 380°F.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the ribs and the model of your air fryer, so adjust accordingly. To ensure your ribs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The minimum internal temperature for pork ribs should be 145°F, but for tender and juicy ribs, you may want to aim for an internal temperature of 195°F to 203°F.

Making a homemade BBQ sauce

Ingredients:

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Cumin
• Apple cider vinegar
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Start by gathering your ingredients and measuring out the required quantities. This is an important step to ensure your sauce is well-balanced in flavour.

Next, combine all the ingredients in a saucepan. Place the saucepan on your stovetop and heat the mixture over a medium-low heat. This gentle heat will help to slowly dissolve the sugar and salt, creating a smooth and well-combined sauce. Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

Keep heating the sauce until you notice that the sugar and salt have completely dissolved, creating a homogeneous mixture. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more salt and pepper, or a pinch of your favourite herb or spice to give it a unique twist.

Once your sauce is ready, it's time to brush it onto your ribs. Be generous and coat all sides of the ribs evenly. Place the ribs back into the air fryer and cook for a few more minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelise and develop a sticky texture.

Finally, remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and the sauce to thicken slightly. If you prefer your ribs extra saucy, go ahead and brush on another layer of your delicious, homemade BBQ sauce!

There you have it—a mouth-watering, sticky, and sweet BBQ sauce to impress your family and friends. This sauce is a perfect pairing for juicy, tender pork ribs cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Enjoy!

Reheating and storing your ribs

There are several ways to store your ribs. If you're planning to eat them within one to two days, you can store them in the fridge. Otherwise, it's best to store them in the freezer. Here are some options for storing your ribs:

• Vacuum-sealed in a plastic bag
• In a foil pan covered tightly with foil
• In a freezer zip-top bag

If you're storing your ribs in the freezer, it's best to cut them into individual ribs or portions of two to three ribs. This will make it easier to reheat them later.

When you're ready to reheat your ribs, there are a few different methods you can use. You can reheat them in the oven, grill, or smoker at 275°F (135°C) for 30-60 minutes. You can also reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes. If you're reheating frozen ribs in the air fryer, it will take a bit longer, about 10-15 minutes.

If you're reheating your ribs in the oven, grill, or smoker, it's best to place them in a foil pan or a zip-top bag and cover them tightly with foil. This will help keep them moist and tender. If you're reheating in an air fryer, you can baste the ribs with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking to add moisture and flavour.

You can reheat ribs as many times as you want within the window for eating them, which is four days for pork ribs. However, the quality of the meat will decrease each time you reheat it, so it's best to only reheat as much as you plan to eat.

Frequently asked questions