Air-Fried Country Ribs: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Country-style ribs are a delicious and juicy meal that can be cooked in an air fryer. The ribs are cooked at a high temperature for a short amount of time, making them tender and full of flavour. This method of cooking also helps to ensure that the ribs are not dry. In this article, we will explore how to cook country ribs in an air fryer, including the best temperature to cook at and how long to cook the ribs for. We will also provide tips on how to get the most flavour out of your ribs.

How to season country ribs for the air fryer

To season country ribs for the air fryer, start by rinsing the ribs and patting them dry. Then, add garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black seasoning to a small bowl and mix. You can also use a spice blend or a store-bought rib rub. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on both sides of the ribs and press it into the meat to ensure it sticks during cooking. You can also spray the ribs with cooking spray before sprinkling on the seasoning.

Once the ribs are seasoned, preheat your air fryer to 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little room between each piece. Set the timer for 8-10 minutes, flip the ribs, and cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

After the initial cooking time, open the basket and brush the sides and tops of the ribs with your favourite barbecue sauce. Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove the ribs from the air fryer and serve with your favourite side dishes. Enjoy!

How to preheat the air fryer

To cook country ribs in an air fryer, you'll need to preheat the appliance first. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, set the temperature of your air fryer to 375-380 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature for cooking juicy, tender ribs. While the air fryer preheats, you can prepare your ribs by rinsing them and patting them dry. You can also mix your chosen spices and seasonings in a small bowl.

Most air fryers will take around 5 minutes to preheat. Once the preheating is complete, you can add the ribs to the basket. It's important to place the ribs in a single layer, with a little space between each piece, to ensure even cooking.

Depending on your preference, you can spritz the ribs with cooking spray before adding your chosen seasonings. This will help the spices stick to the meat and create a delicious crust.

Once the ribs are in the air fryer, you can set the timer for the cooking time. For country ribs, a total cooking time of 16-20 minutes is recommended, flipping them halfway through.

Remember, every air fryer is different, so it's a good idea to test a small batch of ribs first to determine the ideal cooking time for your appliance.

How long to cook country ribs in the air fryer

Cooking country ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make juicy, tender ribs full of flavour. The cooking time will depend on the type of ribs you are cooking with, the size of the ribs, and the temperature of your air fryer.

For boneless pork ribs, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, ensuring there is a little room between each piece. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the ribs over and cook for another 8 minutes. Once the ribs have reached an internal temperature of 145°F, remove them from the air fryer and coat them in BBQ sauce.

For bone-in pork ribs, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for 20 minutes, then brush the sides and tops of the ribs with BBQ sauce. Place the ribs back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

For thicker, beef ribs, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the ribs in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.

It's important to note that all air fryers cook differently, so it's always best to test a small batch of ribs before cooking the entire meal to determine if your air fryer requires more or less time.

How to coat country ribs in BBQ sauce

To coat country ribs in BBQ sauce, first, remove the ribs from the air fryer after they have been cooking for 20 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, brush the sides and tops of the ribs with your chosen barbecue sauce. You can also sprinkle a spice blend on both sides of the ribs and press the mixture into the meat to ensure the spices stick. Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook for a further two minutes.

You can also cook the ribs for 10 minutes on each side at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or eight minutes on each side at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, before coating them in BBQ sauce.

How to serve country ribs

To serve country ribs cooked in an air fryer, you can follow these steps:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Rinse the ribs and pat them dry.
• Prepare the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray.
• Sprinkle a spice blend or rub the ribs with a small amount of seasoning mixture (such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper).
• Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, leaving a little room between each piece.
• Cook the ribs at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush them with your favourite barbecue sauce.
• Return the ribs to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read meat thermometer.
• Take the ribs out of the air fryer and serve them with your favourite side dishes.

Frequently asked questions