Air-Fryer Short Ribs: Cooking Time And Perfect Results

how long to cook short ribs in a air fryer

Cooking short ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, tender meat with a crispy exterior. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the ribs and the type of air fryer you are using. In general, thicker-cut ribs will take longer to cook than thinner-cut ribs, and bone-in ribs will take longer than boneless ribs. The ideal internal temperature for short ribs is considered to be 205° F, but they can be served at lower temperatures, with some sources suggesting a minimum safe temperature of 145° F for medium-rare.

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How to get short ribs fall-off-the-bone tender

Cooking short ribs in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy a delicious cut of beef that normally takes 8-10 hours in just 35 minutes or even less! The air fryer's convection oven cooks food by constantly circulating hot air around it, which speeds up the cooking process.

To get fall-off-the-bone tender short ribs, it is recommended to marinate the ribs for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. A Korean BBQ-inspired marinade of soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, green onion, and garlic is a popular choice. The longer you marinate the ribs, the more tender they will be.

When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the ribs in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and cook for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature of the ribs should reach 195-205°F.

For thicker-cut boneless short ribs, air fry for 9-10 minutes, and for thinner-cut boneless pieces, air fry for 7-8 minutes. If you prefer your ribs with a crispy exterior, you can lightly spray the ribs with oil before placing them in the air fryer.

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

With these simple steps, you can enjoy tender and juicy short ribs with a crispy exterior, made with minimal fuss and hands-on time!

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Marinade ingredients and prep

Marinating your short ribs before air frying is an important step in achieving the best flavour and texture. There are several marinade recipes you can try, depending on the flavour profile you want to achieve.

For a Korean-inspired marinade, you can use soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, green onion, and garlic. You can also add a touch of Korean spicy flavour with a tablespoon of gluten-free gochujang sauce or incorporate homemade gluten-free hoisin sauce for a sweet and nutty flavour. This style of marinade is perfect for those who want a sugar-free option, as you can use liquid aminos in place of soy sauce, which has a similar flavour but contains zero carbs. For thicker cuts of meat, marinate for at least an hour, and up to three days in advance in the fridge. For thinner cuts, 30 minutes of marination is enough, but you can also leave them in the marinade for up to three days.

If you're looking for a simple BBQ sauce, you can use a combination of avocado oil, coconut aminos, garlic, oregano, salt, dry mustard, smoked paprika, and black pepper. This will give your ribs a nice smoky flavour. Another option is to use teriyaki sauce, which will add a sweet and savoury Asian twist to your dish. If you want something different, try a honey mustard sauce.

Once you've prepared your marinade, place the ribs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours or up to overnight. If you're short on time, a few hours of marination will still impart flavour to the ribs. Allow the ribs to sit at room temperature for about an hour before air frying.

After marinating, remove the ribs from the bag and discard the excess marinade. Place the ribs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. If desired, spray the basket with cooking oil or non-stick spray first.

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Air fryer temperature and timing

The cooking temperature and time for short ribs in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the ribs and the model of the air fryer.

For boneless short ribs, the cooking time is generally shorter than for bone-in short ribs. The cooking temperature for boneless short ribs is around 320°F (160°C). For thick-cut pieces (1½ inch thickness), air fry for 9 minutes for medium-rare or 10 minutes for medium. For thinner-cut pieces (¾ inch thickness), air fry for 7 minutes for medium-rare or 8 minutes for medium.

For bone-in short ribs, cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-25 minutes. The internal temperature of the ribs should reach 205°F.

Some recipes suggest cooking short ribs at a lower temperature for a longer time. For example, cooking short ribs at 320°F for 35 minutes can result in tender and juicy ribs.

It is recommended to check the temperature of the meat with an instant-read thermometer. For beef short ribs, the internal temperature should reach at least 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare, although some people prefer them more well-done.

Additionally, it is important to note that the size of the air fryer basket may require cooking the ribs in batches to ensure even cooking.

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Internal temperature and how to check

When cooking short ribs in an air fryer, the target internal temperature should be around 195-205°F (91-96°C). This temperature range is significantly lower than the standard oven temperature of 350°F (177°C). However, the air fryer's convection oven technology, which circulates hot air around the food, speeds up the cooking process.

To check the internal temperature of your short ribs, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, ensuring that you take multiple readings in different places, especially in larger ribs, as they tend to cook slower in those areas.

The ideal internal temperature for short ribs is reached when the meat is tender and pulls back from the bones with ease. The temperature probe or meat thermometer should slide in and out of the meat with minimal resistance, almost like slicing through room temperature butter.

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature settings may vary depending on the specific model of your air fryer and the thickness of the ribs. Therefore, it is always a good idea to monitor the internal temperature of the meat regularly to ensure it reaches the desired range without overcooking or undercooking.

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Reheating and storing short ribs

Reheating short ribs in an air fryer is a great way to maintain their flavor and texture without making them soggy. The hot air circulation in the air fryer is one of the best options for reheating juicy, delicious ribs. It's also much faster than using an oven, taking less than 10 minutes to heat up your ribs.

To reheat your short ribs in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350-380°F. If your ribs are sauced, it is recommended to use a silicone liner, parchment round, or air fryer pan for easy cleanup. Lay the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is some space around each piece for proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small, you may need to reheat the ribs in batches.

Reheat the ribs for 3-7 minutes, or until warmed thoroughly. Baste the ribs with barbecue sauce during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to help the ribs regain some of their moisture and flavor. Check the ribs to see if they are heated through. They should be hot and tender. If they need more time, continue cooking in 1-2 minute intervals until they are heated to your desired temperature.

When storing short ribs, it is important to follow proper food safety guidelines to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Cooked short ribs, like other meats, need to be kept at the right temperature and stored correctly to stay fresh and safe to eat.

To store cooked short ribs, allow the ribs to cool to room temperature within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria from multiplying. Use airtight containers, heavy-duty aluminum foil, or plastic wrap to store the ribs, ensuring they are well sealed to prevent exposure to air and contaminants. Label the container with the date of storage to keep track of how long the short ribs have been in the fridge. Place the ribs in the coldest section of your fridge, usually the back, where the temperature is most consistent.

Stored this way, short ribs will last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, cooked short ribs can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Frequently asked questions

Cooking times vary depending on the thickness of the ribs and the model of the air fryer. For boneless short ribs, cook at 320°F (160°C) for 7-10 minutes. For bone-in short ribs, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15-25 minutes.

The ribs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 195-205°F.

Leftover short ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To freeze, let the ribs cool, then shred the meat off the bone and store in a sealed container for up to two months.

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