Air Fryer Ribs: Fall-Off-The-Bone Perfection

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get tender, juicy, and flavourful meat without the long cooking times of traditional methods like baking, grilling, or smoking. Air fryers are compact, require less time for cooking, and are easier to clean up.

To make fall-off-the-bone ribs in an air fryer, you can follow a few simple steps. First, prepare the ribs by removing the membrane and cutting the rack into sections. Then, apply a dry rub or seasoning and let the ribs sit for a few hours or overnight. Preheat your air fryer to around 300-380°F and cook the ribs for about 30 minutes, brushing with olive oil or barbecue sauce halfway through. Finally, increase the temperature to 350-400°F and cook for an additional 5-25 minutes, depending on your desired level of doneness.

How to prep ribs for the air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to prep ribs for the air fryer:

• Pork ribs
• Olive oil (optional)
• Barbecue seasoning or dry rub
• Barbecue sauce
• Aluminum foil
• Spices (optional)

Steps

Step 1: Prepare the ribs for seasoning

First, you need to remove the membrane from the rack of ribs. This is a piece of tissue found on the bottom of the rack that can be removed by sliding your finger underneath and slowly pulling it up.

Step 2: Apply the seasoning

Once the membrane has been removed, pat the ribs dry with paper towels and apply your chosen seasoning. You can use a premade seasoning blend or make your own using spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Be sure to coat both sides of the ribs evenly.

For maximum flavor, you can let the seasoned ribs sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before cooking. This allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer and cook the ribs

Preheat your air fryer to a low temperature, around 300-325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the ribs in the basket with the meatier side facing up and cook for about 30 minutes. This initial cooking period helps render some of the fat and begin the tenderizing process.

After 30 minutes, increase the temperature to 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit and continue cooking for an additional 10-25 minutes. Keep an eye on the ribs to prevent burning.

Step 4: Apply barbecue sauce

Once the ribs are cooked through and starting to crisp up, brush them with your favorite barbecue sauce. Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and the ribs are glazed.

Step 5: Rest and serve

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve the ribs hot with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

The best temperature to cook ribs in an air fryer

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, tender ribs without having to heat up the grill or oven. The ideal temperature range for cooking ribs in an air fryer is between 375°F and 400°F.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Most recipes recommend cooking ribs in an air fryer for around 25-30 minutes at 380°F. However, for the best results, it is recommended to cook the ribs at a lower temperature of 325°F for about 35 minutes and then finish them off at a higher temperature of 400°F for an additional 10 minutes to crisp up the outside.

Tips for Tender Ribs

For fall-off-the-bone tender ribs, it is essential to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking. This allows the seasonings to absorb better and makes the ribs more flavorful and tender.

Additionally, wrapping the ribs tightly in foil while cooking helps to create a closed environment that breaks down collagen and connective tissue, resulting in tender meat.

Internal Temperature

To ensure that the ribs are cooked properly, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. The ideal internal temperature for tender and juicy ribs is between 195°F and 203°F.

Benefits of Using an Air Fryer

Air fryers offer several advantages over traditional cooking methods:

• Faster cooking time: Air fryers can cook ribs in a fraction of the time compared to ovens or grills.
• Easy cleanup: Air fryers cook without creating excessive splattering, making cleanup a breeze.
• Crispy exterior: The forced circulating hot air in an air fryer creates a crispy exterior that is hard to achieve in a conventional oven.
• Healthier option: Air fryers require minimal oil or butter, making them a healthier alternative to fried or baked ribs.

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a convenient and efficient way to enjoy delicious, tender, and juicy ribs. By following the recommended cooking temperatures and times, you can achieve the perfect texture and taste without the lengthy cooking process of traditional methods.

How long to cook ribs in an air fryer

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get tender, juicy, and flavorful meat without having to fire up the grill or oven. The cooking time will depend on the type of ribs you are using and your desired level of doneness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook ribs in an air fryer:

Prepare the ribs

Start by removing the membrane from the back of the ribs. This will help the seasonings absorb better and make the ribs more tender. You can do this by sliding your finger underneath the membrane and slowly pulling it up. Then, cut the rack of ribs into sections that will fit into your air fryer basket. For baby back ribs, you can cut them into 2-3 equal parts. For spare ribs, which are larger, you may need to cut them into smaller portions.

Season the ribs

In a small bowl, mix your chosen dry rub seasonings. You can use a premade seasoning blend or make your own using spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Generously rub the spice mix all over the ribs, making sure to coat both sides evenly. For maximum flavor, you can let the seasoned ribs sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher temperature will give you a crispier exterior, but be sure to keep an eye on the ribs to prevent burning.

Cook the ribs

Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, meatier side facing up. For baby back ribs, cook at 350-380 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. For spare ribs, increase the cooking time to about 40 minutes. If you are using beef or lamb ribs, you will need to increase the cooking time by 5-6 minutes.

Brush with barbecue sauce

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush them generously with your favorite barbecue sauce. Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-10 minutes at a higher temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This will allow the sauce to set and darken slightly, creating a sticky texture.

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 through the meat. You can brush with additional barbecue sauce if desired.

Tips for fall-off-the-bone ribs

For fall-off-the-bone ribs, try cooking the ribs tightly wrapped in foil. The foil creates a closed environment that helps collagen and connective tissue break down, resulting in very tender meat. You can also try increasing the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure the ribs are fully tenderized.

How to make ribs fall off the bone

Ingredients

To make fall-off-the-bone ribs in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Pork ribs
• Barbecue seasoning or dry rub
• Olive oil (optional)
• Barbecue sauce

Preparation

First, remove the membrane from the rack of ribs. This will help the seasoning penetrate the meat better and make the ribs more tender. You can do this by sliding your finger underneath and slowly pulling up the rest.

Next, pat the ribs dry with paper towels and apply your chosen seasoning, making sure to coat both sides evenly. For maximum flavour, you can leave the seasoned ribs in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to 300°F/149°C. Place the ribs in the basket with the meatier side facing up and cook for 30 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 350°F/177°C and continue cooking for another 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on the ribs to prevent burning.

Halfway through the cooking process, you can brush the ribs with olive oil to help crisp them up.

Finishing Touches

Once the ribs are cooked and starting to crisp up, brush them with barbecue sauce and return them to the air fryer. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the sauce is caramelized.

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips

For a deeper flavour infusion, marinate the ribs with the barbecue rub for at least 2 hours or overnight before cooking.

To check that the ribs are cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of around 190°F to 203°F.

Serving Suggestions

Ribs go well with classic barbecue sides such as corn, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, green beans, and baked beans.

How to make BBQ sauce for ribs

While you can use store-bought BBQ sauce, making your own allows you to customise the flavours to your liking. Here is a guide on how to make your own BBQ sauce, as well as some tips on how to cook ribs in an air fryer.

Ingredients

• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Olive oil
• Vinegar (apple cider vinegar works well)
• Spices (e.g. cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder)

Optional Ingredients

• Onion powder
• Mustard powder
• Worcestershire sauce
• Liquid smoke

Method

• Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan.
• Heat over a medium-low heat.
• Stir the mixture until the sugar and salt have completely dissolved.

Tips for Cooking Ribs in an Air Fryer

• Remove the membrane from the ribs. This helps the ribs absorb the seasonings and makes them more tender.
• Cut the rack of ribs into sections so they fit into the air fryer basket.

• Season the ribs with a dry rub. You can make your own or use a store-bought option.
• Preheat the air fryer before placing the ribs inside. This will prevent the ribs from sticking to the basket.
• Wrap the ribs in aluminium foil before placing them in the air fryer. This protects any sugary sauces or seasonings from burning.
• Cook the ribs at 375°F/190°C for 15 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 10 minutes.
• Brush the BBQ sauce onto the ribs.
• Increase the temperature to 400°F/200°C and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has darkened slightly.
• Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Tender Ribs

For tender ribs, cook them at a low temperature for a longer period of time. Aim for an internal temperature of 195-205°F. You can check this with a meat thermometer. Wrapping the ribs tightly in foil will also help to achieve tender ribs, as this creates a closed environment that helps the collagen and connective tissue break down.

Frequently asked questions