Air-Fried Pork Ribs: A Quick, Crispy Delight

Cooking pork ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare the basket with nonstick cooking spray. Then, rinse and pat the ribs dry before adding your chosen seasonings. Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket and cook for 20 minutes. After this, brush barbecue sauce onto the tops and sides of the ribs and cook for an additional 2 minutes. The ribs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145-190 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit

To preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, simply turn it on and set the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Most air fryers will have a preheat function or a temperature control setting that allows you to input the desired temperature. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, you can manually preheat it by turning it on and letting it run for a few minutes until it reaches the desired temperature.

It is important to note that the preheat time may vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer. Some air fryers may take longer to reach the desired temperature, so it is always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Additionally, if you are using an air fryer for the first time, it is recommended to do a test run to familiarise yourself with its preheating process and performance.

Once your air fryer has preheated to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, you can proceed with the next steps of preparing and cooking your pork ribs. Remember to always follow food safety guidelines and ensure your pork ribs are thoroughly cooked before serving. Enjoy the delicious, juicy, and tender results of your air-fried pork ribs!

Prepare the ribs with seasoning

To prepare the ribs with seasoning, start by rinsing and patting the ribs dry. Then, add your chosen seasonings to a small bowl and mix well. You can use your favourite BBQ spice rub, covering both sides of the ribs. Make sure to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs before seasoning. Once the ribs are seasoned, place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. If you are using an air fryer with a basket, you may need to play around with the arrangement to make sure the basket shuts properly.

Place the ribs in the air fryer basket

Once you've prepared your ribs, it's time to place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure you've preheated your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and prepared the basket with a nonstick cooking spray, such as olive oil or avocado oil. You'll want to arrange the ribs in a single layer, overlapping if necessary, ensuring you can shut the basket properly. If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the ribs in batches or play around with the arrangement to get them all to fit.

When placing the ribs in the basket, it's important to consider the cooking surface. Place the ribs meat-side down, ensuring they are not touching each other. This will help achieve even cooking and prevent sticking.

Additionally, adding a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before placing the ribs can help regulate the temperature and prevent smoking. About 2 tablespoons of water should be sufficient.

Once the ribs are arranged in the basket, you're ready to start cooking. Depending on your desired doneness, you'll cook the ribs for 20 minutes for a quick cook or up to 45-60 minutes for a slower cook, flipping them every 15 minutes.

Cook the ribs for 20 minutes

Cooking pork ribs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. After preheating the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, preparing the basket with nonstick cooking spray, and seasoning the ribs, it's time to cook. Place the ribs in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Set the timer for 20 minutes, and let the air fryer work its magic.

During this 20-minute cooking period, the air fryer circulates hot air around the ribs, ensuring even cooking. The high temperature sears the meat, locking in juices and creating a delicious crust. The ribs will start to turn a deep golden brown, and the spices will infuse the meat with flavour.

While the ribs are cooking, you can prepare your barbecue sauce. In a small bowl, mix together your favourite barbecue sauce with a couple of tablespoons of water. This will create a slightly thinner sauce that will coat the ribs evenly. You can also prepare any side dishes you plan to serve with the ribs.

Once the timer goes off, carefully open the air fryer basket. The ribs will be sizzling and fragrant. Using a pastry brush or a spoon, generously brush the barbecue sauce onto the tops and sides of the ribs. This will add a delicious sticky glaze to the ribs and enhance their flavour.

Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes

Once the ribs have been cooking for 20 minutes, remove the basket and brush barbecue sauce onto the tops and sides of the ribs. Place the ribs back into the air fryer and cook for a further 2 minutes. This will give the ribs a nice glaze and ensure they are cooked through.

Make sure the ribs are not touching when you put them back into the air fryer. You can check if the ribs are cooked by using a meat thermometer to ensure the pork has reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are cooking a large batch of ribs, you may need to cook them for longer than 20 minutes initially. For example, if you are cooking ribs for 45 minutes to an hour, you will need to flip them around every 15 minutes. You can also add 2 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent smoking.

Frequently asked questions