Air-Fried Beef Back Ribs: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking beef back ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. You can cook a whole rack at once, and the ribs will be juicy and flavourful. All you need is a few simple ingredients, such as a rub or seasoning, and a barbecue sauce to coat the ribs.

How to prepare the ribs

First, remove the membrane from the back of the ribs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, place the ribs on your cutting board, bone side up. Cut the rack into four pieces. Next, combine olive oil and liquid smoke in a small bowl and rub this mixture onto both sides of the ribs.

Now, it's time to make the rub. Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. You can also add brown sugar and chilli powder to this mixture, if you like. Once the rub is ready, generously coat the ribs with it. Set the ribs aside for 30 minutes to enhance the flavour.

Finally, preheat your air fryer to 375ºF (190ºC) or 320ºF, depending on your preference. Place the ribs, meat side up, in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. If necessary, cook in batches.

How to season the ribs

To season the ribs, combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. You can also add brown sugar and chilli powder to this mixture. Place the ribs bone side up on your cutting board and rub the seasoning onto the ribs. You can also add a thick coating of BBQ sauce to the ribs, which will caramelise and add flavour.

How to cook the ribs

Cooking beef back ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. First, remove and discard the membrane from the back of the ribs, then pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the rack into four pieces. Combine olive oil and liquid smoke in a small bowl, then rub this onto both sides of the ribs. Combine salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chilli powder in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and rub this onto the ribs. Place the ribs bone-side up on a cutting board. Generously season both sides of the ribs with a brown sugar mixture and set them aside for 30 minutes to enhance the flavour. Preheat your air fryer to 375ºF (190ºC) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the ribs bone-side down in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Air fry at 320ºF for 25 minutes. Open the air fryer, flip the ribs, and baste with your favourite BBQ sauce. Cook at 320ºF for another 10 minutes. Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush barbecue sauce onto the bone-sides of the ribs. Place the basket back in the air fryer and cook for five minutes. Flip the ribs and brush the meat-sides with the remaining barbecue sauce. Cook until the desired char is achieved, about five minutes more.

How to baste the ribs

To baste the ribs, you'll need to flip them and add your chosen sauce. You can use a BBQ sauce, or a mixture of olive oil and liquid smoke. You can also add a dry rub of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will help to develop a thick crust while cooking.

When you baste the ribs, you'll need to cook them for another 10 minutes at 320º. You can also brush the sauce onto the bone-side of the ribs, and cook for 5 minutes, before flipping and brushing the meat-side with the remaining sauce.

If you want to add a dry rub, you'll need to combine the spices in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Then, you can rub this mixture onto the ribs before cooking.

You can also try a brown sugar mixture to season the ribs. Combine brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chilli powder in a bowl. Rub this onto both sides of the ribs and set aside for 30 minutes to enhance the flavour.

How to serve the ribs

When it comes to serving your beef back ribs, there are a few different ways to go about it. You could keep things simple and serve the ribs as they are, straight from the air fryer. Or, if you want to get a little more creative, you could try one of the following ideas:

• Serve the ribs with a side of your favourite BBQ sauce for dipping. This will add an extra layer of flavour and moisture to the dish.
• Create a platter with the ribs as the centrepiece, surrounded by a variety of sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, or roasted vegetables. This will give your guests a variety of flavours and textures to enjoy.
• For a more interactive dining experience, set up a build-your-own-rib-sandwich station. Provide a selection of breads, sauces, and toppings, and let your guests create their own perfect rib sandwich.
• If you're feeling adventurous, try experimenting with different sauces and glazes for the ribs. For example, you could try an Asian-inspired glaze made with soy sauce, honey, and ginger, or a spicy Mexican-inspired sauce made with chilli and lime.

No matter how you choose to serve them, these air-fried beef back ribs are sure to be a hit!

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