Air-Fried Ribs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make tender and juicy ribs. The cooking time depends on the type of ribs and your air fryer, but on average, ribs take about 30 minutes to cook in an air fryer.

The first step is to prepare the ribs by removing the membrane and patting them dry. Then, you can season the ribs with your chosen spices and sauce. After that, you can place the ribs in the air fryer and cook them at the desired temperature for 25-30 minutes, depending on the recipe. Finally, let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving.

Some recipes suggest cooking the ribs at a lower temperature first and then blasting them at a higher temperature to finish, which can make the ribs extra tender and crispy.

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:

You will need the following ingredients:

• Pork ribs (baby back ribs or spare ribs)
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Spices for a dry rub (such as garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper)
• Optional: aluminium foil

Step 1: Prepare the Ribs

Start by removing the membrane from the back of the ribs. This step helps make the ribs more tender and allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat better. Then, cut the rack of ribs into sections that will fit into your air fryer basket. If your air fryer is large enough, you may only need to cut the rack in half.

Step 2: Make the Spice Rub

In a small bowl, mix together the dry rub seasonings. You can use a pre-made spice blend or create your own by combining spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3: Season the Ribs

Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and then rub the spice mix generously all over the ribs, making sure to coat all sides. You can also do this step ahead of time and let the ribs marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight for more intense flavour.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350-380°F (180-190°C). It is important to preheat the air fryer so that the ribs don't stick to the basket.

Step 5: Cook the Ribs

Place the ribs into the air fryer basket with the meat side down. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, then use tongs to flip the ribs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of your ribs and your desired level of doneness.

Step 6: Brush with BBQ Sauce

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush them generously with barbecue sauce on all sides. You can use store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.

Step 7: Cook for a Few More Minutes

Place the ribs back into the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes at a higher temperature of around 400°F (200°C). This step will help create a crispy texture on the exterior while making the sauce sticky. Keep a close eye on the ribs during this step to avoid burning.

Step 8: Let the Ribs Rest

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier ribs. You can brush on additional barbecue sauce during this step if desired.

And that's it! Your air fryer ribs are now ready to be served and enjoyed.

Note: Cooking times and temperatures may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of your ribs, so adjust accordingly.

How long to cook ribs in the air fryer for

How long to cook ribs in the air fryer

Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get tender and juicy ribs without having to heat up the grill or oven. The length of time it takes to cook ribs in an air fryer depends on the type of ribs you are cooking, the desired level of doneness, and the power of your air fryer.

Baby back ribs

Baby back ribs are the most tender type of rib and are perfect for cooking in an air fryer. They typically take around 30 minutes to cook at 380°F (195°C). However, if you are looking for fall-off-the-bone ribs, you may need to cook them for longer at a lower temperature. One recipe suggests cooking the ribs at 325°F for 35 minutes, then turning the ribs over and cooking at 300°F for an additional 20 minutes before finishing them off at 400°F for 10 minutes.

Spare ribs

Spare ribs are larger and meatier than baby back ribs, so they will take a bit longer to cook. One source recommends cooking spare ribs at 375°F for 25 minutes, then finishing them off at 400°F for 5 minutes.

Beef and lamb ribs

Beef and lamb ribs will also take longer to cook than baby back ribs, with one source recommending increasing the cooking time by 5-6 minutes.

Checking for doneness

To check if your ribs are done, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the ribs. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for ribs, but if you want more tender meat, you can aim for an internal temperature of 190-200°F.

Tips for cooking ribs in an air fryer

• Cut the rack of ribs in half so that they fit in the air fryer basket.
• Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking.
• Season the ribs with a dry rub or your favourite BBQ spice blend.
• Cook the ribs in batches if your air fryer basket is small to ensure even cooking.
• Baste the ribs with BBQ sauce during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to avoid burning.
• Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

What temperature to cook ribs at

The best temperature to cook ribs in an air fryer depends on the type of ribs you are cooking and your desired level of doneness.

For baby back ribs, preheat your air fryer to 375°F–380°F and cook for 25–30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the ribs. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for a further 5 minutes to achieve a crispy texture.

For spare ribs, increase the cooking time to 40 minutes at 375°F–380°F, as they are larger and meatier.

For country-style ribs, reduce the cooking time to 25 minutes as they are leaner.

For beef and lamb ribs, increase the air frying time by 5–6 minutes.

How to make ribs tender in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 rack of pork baby back ribs
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Spices (e.g. garlic powder, mustard powder, onion powder, smoked paprika)
• Barbecue sauce

Method

• Prepare the ribs: Remove the membrane from the ribs using a kitchen knife and clean it with a paper towel. Cut the rack into three equal parts and dry the ribs with a paper towel.
• Season the ribs: In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices and salt and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning on both sides of the ribs.
• Air fry: Wrap the ribs in aluminium foil and place them in the pre-heated air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F for 25 minutes.
• Add sauce: Take the ribs out of the air fryer and brush them with barbecue sauce.
• Air fry again: Put the ribs back in the air fryer basket without the foil and air fry for another 10 minutes.
• Rest and serve: Allow the ribs to rest for a few minutes before serving. You can brush on more barbecue sauce if you like.

Tips

• For extra flavour, marinate the ribs in the spice rub for at least 2 hours or overnight before air frying.
• For tender ribs, remove the membrane so that the seasonings can be better absorbed.
• Pat the ribs dry before seasoning to help the seasoning stick and make the ribs crispy.
• To check that the ribs are cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure they've reached an internal temperature of 190-200°F.

How to reheat ribs in an air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (175-177°C). If your air fryer doesn't have an adjustable temperature setting, simply preheat it for a few minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Ribs

Take your leftover ribs out of the container or foil and let them sit at room temperature while the air fryer preheats. If your ribs are sauced, consider using a silicone liner, parchment round, or air fryer pan for easy cleanup.

Step 3: Place the Ribs in the Air Fryer Basket

Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space around each piece for proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small, you may need to reheat the ribs in batches.

Step 4: Reheat the Ribs

Place the ribs in the preheated air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them and check for doneness, as air fryers can vary in cooking times. For sauced ribs, baste them with barbecue sauce during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking to enhance their moisture and flavor.

Step 5: Check the Ribs

Check if the ribs are heated through. They should be hot and tender. If they need more time, continue cooking in 1-2 minute intervals until they reach your desired temperature.

Step 6: Serve the Ribs

Remove the ribs from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can add more sauce or garnishes as desired.

Tips:

• Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the ribs reach your desired internal temperature.
• Adding a tablespoon of water to the basket of the air fryer can help reduce smoke from any fat drippings during the cooking process.
• For crispy crust ribs, ensure they are not overly sauced before reheating.
• It is recommended to flip the ribs halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.
• If you have a lot of ribs, consider reheating them in batches to ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions