Air Fryer Riblets: Cooking Time Perfection

Cooking riblets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this delicious dish. You can cook riblets in an air fryer in as little as 12 minutes, or up to 35 minutes, depending on your desired cooking temperature. In this article, we will explore the best methods for cooking riblets in an air fryer, including the ideal cooking time and temperature, as well as some tips and tricks for achieving the perfect result.

How to prepare riblets for air frying

To prepare riblets for air frying, start by cutting a full set of spare ribs in half. Remove the curved part of the rib. Cut the riblets into single pieces with the bones.

Next, make a marinade by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, shaoxing wine and white pepper in a bowl. Whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved. Add the ribblets and some large garlic cloves into the marinade and leave for at least two hours, or overnight.

Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Add the ribblets and garlic cloves into the heated air fryer, being careful not to add the marinade juices. Fry the ribblets for six minutes, then shake them to fry them evenly. Fry for another six minutes.

You can serve the ribblets on a bed of green onion, chive or green leaves. You can also make a dipping sauce to serve with the ribblets.

How long to cook riblets for

Cooking riblets in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. First, preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Then, add the riblets and garlic cloves to the fryer, making sure not to add any marinade juices. Fry the riblets for 6 minutes, then shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly. Fry for another 6 minutes. In total, the riblets should be in the fryer for 12 minutes.

While the riblets are cooking, you can make a dipping sauce. You can also serve the riblets on a bed of green onion, chive or green leaves.

If you want to cook the riblets for longer, you can cook them at 325°F for 35 minutes, then finish them off at 400°F for 10 minutes. For well-done riblets, the internal temperature should be 170°F.

What temperature to cook riblets at

To cook riblets in an air fryer, preheat your appliance to 360°F. Add the riblets and garlic cloves to the fryer, being careful not to add any marinade juices. Fry the riblets for 6 minutes, then shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly. Fry for another 6 minutes.

Some recipes suggest cooking riblets at a steady medium-high temperature, but others recommend cooking them at 325°F for 35 minutes, then finishing them at 400°F for 10 minutes. Another recipe suggests cooking riblets at 380°F for 25 minutes, then brushing with sauce and cooking uncovered for another 10 minutes.

For well-done ribs, the internal temperature of the meatiest ribs should be 170°F. You can check this with a pen-style thermometer.

How to make a dipping sauce

Cooking riblets in the air fryer is a quick and easy process, taking just 12 minutes in total. To ensure even cooking, shake the riblets after the first 6 minutes and then continue frying for another 6 minutes. While the riblets are cooking, you can make a delicious dipping sauce to serve alongside them.

BBQ Sauce: A classic choice for ribs, BBQ sauce can be store-bought or homemade. If making your own, combine ingredients such as tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and your choice of sweetener (honey, brown sugar, or molasses). Simmer the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat until thickened, then allow to cool before serving.

Ranch Dressing: For a creamy and tangy dip, ranch dressing is a great option. Combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, dill, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well combined, then chill until ready to serve.

Spicy Honey Mustard: This sauce offers a balance of sweet and spicy flavours. Mix together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Adjust the proportions to your taste preferences, adding more honey for sweetness or increasing the mustard and cayenne for a spicier kick.

Asian-Inspired Sauce: For an Asian twist, create a sauce with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and a touch of brown sugar. Simmer the ingredients over medium heat until thickened, then cool before serving. This sauce pairs especially well with the riblets if you've used an Asian-inspired marinade with soy sauce and garlic.

When making your dipping sauce, feel free to adjust the ingredient quantities to suit your taste preferences. You can also experiment with adding fresh herbs, spices, or other flavourings to create a unique sauce. Remember to allow your sauce to cool before serving, as the riblets will be hot and ready to dip straight out of the air fryer!

How to serve riblets

To serve riblets, you'll first need to cut a full set of spare ribs in half, removing the curved part of the rib. Cut the riblets into single pieces with the bones. You can then marinate the riblets in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, shaoxing wine and white pepper. Leave the riblets to marinate for at least two hours, or overnight if you have the time.

When you're ready to cook the riblets, preheat your air fryer to 360°F. Place the riblets and some garlic cloves into the air fryer, being careful not to add any of the marinade juices. Fry the riblets for 6 minutes, then shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly. Fry for another 6 minutes.

While the riblets are cooking, you can make a dipping sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. You can also serve the riblets on a bed of green onion, chives or green leaves for a beautiful presentation.

Once the riblets are cooked, allow them to rest for several minutes before serving. You can brush them with more barbecue sauce if desired.

Frequently asked questions