Ella Walter
St. Louis-style ribs are a specific cut of pork ribs known for their tender meat and delicious flavour. They are trimmed and shaped into a rectangular rack, with the brisket bone, sternum bone, and cartilage removed. Cooking St. Louis ribs in an air fryer is a great way to achieve tender and flavourful ribs with a crispy exterior without needing outdoor equipment. In this article, we will discuss the ingredients and steps required to make mouthwatering St. Louis ribs in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cut of ribs | St. Louis-style spare ribs |
| Type of meat | Pork |
| Cooking time | 25-45 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-380°F (195°C) |
| Cooking method | Air frying |
| Seasoning | Dry rub, barbecue sauce |
| Seasoning ingredients | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, brown sugar |
| Additional tools | Air fryer basket, non-stick cooking spray, aluminium foil |
| Serving suggestion | Brush with more barbecue sauce |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer or microwave |
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What You'll Learn
How to cut St Louis ribs for the air fryer
St. Louis-style spare ribs are a specific cut of pork ribs known for their tender meat and delicious flavour. They are meatier and have more marbling than baby back ribs.
To prepare St. Louis ribs for the air fryer, you will first need to trim and shape the rack into a rectangle. To do this, remove the brisket bone, sternum bone, and cartilage. You should also remove the thin layer of silver skin on the bottom of the ribs using a flat butter knife.
Next, cut the rack into pieces that will fit in your air fryer. Some recipes suggest cutting the rack into three equal parts, while others recommend cutting them into individual ribs. However, this may cause them to cook too quickly and dry out. A better option may be to cut the rack in half, so there is as little overlap as possible in the air fryer basket.
Finally, remove any excess fat or loose meat from the rack. You can also remove the membrane from the back of the ribs to improve the tenderness and flavour penetration of the rub.
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Preparing the dry rub
Firstly, pat the ribs dry with a paper towel. This will help the dry rub to adhere better to the ribs. You can also trim the fat and remove the membrane from the rack of ribs. This will allow the dry rub to absorb better.
Next, prepare the dry rub mixture. In a small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. You can also add brown sugar and any additional spices or herbs of your choice. It is important to ensure that the dry rub is well combined before applying it to the ribs.
Once the dry rub is ready, generously season both sides of the ribs with the mixture. Make sure to rub the seasoning over all sides of the ribs in an even and thick layer. This will ensure that the flavour is evenly distributed throughout the cooking process.
You can also try a pre-made dry rub, such as Bone Sucking Rub, or simply use salt and pepper for a more minimalistic approach.
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Cooking time and temperature
St. Louis-style ribs are a specific cut of pork ribs known for their tender meat and delicious flavour. They are trimmed and shaped into a rectangular rack, with the brisket bone, sternum bone, and cartilage removed. This results in a leaner and more uniform rack of ribs compared to baby back ribs.
When it comes to cooking St. Louis-style ribs in an air fryer, the cooking time and temperature can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific air fryer being used. However, on average, it takes about 25-30 minutes to cook St. Louis-style ribs in an air fryer.
For example, one recipe suggests preheating the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and cooking the ribs for 25 minutes. Then, brushing them with barbecue sauce and cooking for an additional 10 minutes without the foil. This results in tender and juicy ribs with a crispy exterior.
Another recipe recommends cooking the ribs at 350°F for 15 minutes, flipping them, and then cooking for another 15 minutes. This method also yields delicious, tender, and crispy ribs.
It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the ribs, as well as the specific air fryer being used. Some larger air fryers may be able to accommodate more ribs, while smaller ones may require cooking the ribs in batches. Additionally, the USDA recommends cooking pork to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F, while others suggest cooking pork ribs to about 190°F for a more tender and juicy result.
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Brushing on the sauce
Once your St. Louis ribs are cooked, it's time to brush on the sauce. You can use any type of barbecue sauce you like, but a smoky flavour works well with ribs cooked in an air fryer. You can also use a dry rub for added flavour.
Brush the barbecue sauce generously over the ribs. You don't need to use too much, but make sure the sauce covers the ribs evenly. After brushing the sauce onto the ribs, place them back in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes. This will help to seal in the flavour and give the ribs a nice, crispy texture.
If you want to add extra sauce, you can brush it on after the ribs have finished cooking and are ready to serve. This will give the ribs a more intense flavour and a glossy appearance. You can also serve the ribs with extra sauce on the side for dipping.
When brushing sauce onto the ribs, be careful not to overload them. Too much sauce can make the ribs soggy and affect their texture. It's better to add a light coating of sauce and add more as needed.
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Reheating and storing
St. Louis-style ribs cooked in an air fryer can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. They can also be frozen for up to two months.
To reheat the ribs, you can use an air fryer or a microwave. When reheating in an air fryer, set the temperature to a lower level than the one used for cooking, and heat for about five minutes or until they are warm. In a microwave, heat the ribs for 20-30 seconds.
If you are reheating a large batch of ribs, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even heating.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 25 minutes to cook St. Louis ribs in an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest cooking the ribs for 30 minutes, while others suggest 15 minutes.
The air fryer should be set to 350°F or 380°F. If you are using a Power Air Fryer Oven with a rotisserie feature, you don't need to flip the ribs. If not, you will have to flip the ribs halfway through the cook time.
First, cut the ribs into pieces that will fit in the air fryer rack. Then, remove the thin layer of silver skin on the bottom of the ribs using a flat butter knife. Next, prepare a dry rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Rub the seasoning over all sides of the ribs.
To make the ribs crispy, pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning. You can also wrap the ribs in aluminium foil to make cleanup easier.
