Air-Fried Riblets: A Quick, Crispy, And Juicy Delight

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook pork riblets, then look no further than your air fryer! This handy kitchen appliance can help you achieve tender and juicy riblets with a crispy exterior, without the need for deep-frying in oil. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to make mouth-watering pork riblets, including preparation, seasoning, and cooking techniques. We'll also offer tips on creating a savory marinade and a dipping sauce to take your riblets to the next level. So get ready to fire up your air fryer and impress your taste buds with this flavorful dish!

Marinating the pork ribs

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the marinade, you will need a combination of sauces and spices. A typical marinade for pork riblets might include soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), sugar, and white pepper. You can also add garlic cloves for an extra punch of flavour. Adjust the quantities of these ingredients based on your taste preferences.

Next, prepare the pork ribs. Cut the ribs into single pieces with the bones still attached. You can ask your butcher to cut them for you, or you can do it yourself at home. The ideal size is around 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.

Now, it's time to make the marinade. In a bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients and whisk them together until the sugar has completely dissolved. You can adjust the marinade to your taste preferences, adding more or less of each ingredient to suit your palate. For example, if you prefer a sweeter marinade, add a little more sugar.

Once your marinade is ready, place the ribs in a large bowl or a large ziplock bag. If using a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap. If using a ziplock bag, seal the bag, removing as much air as possible. Now, pour the marinade over the ribs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Use a spatula to mix the ribs and marinade, or if using a bag, simply massage the bag to coat the ribs.

The next step is crucial for flavour development: let the ribs marinate. For the best results, leave the ribs to marinate for at least 2 hours at room temperature. However, if you can, it is highly recommended to marinate them overnight in the refrigerator. This longer marination time will allow the flavours to truly penetrate the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavourful riblets.

Once the ribs have finished marinating, you can drain and remove any excess marinade. Your pork riblets are now ready to be cooked in your air fryer!

Preparing the air fryer

While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your riblets. Cut the rib portions into 1- to 1½-inch pieces between the bones. Place these in a large bowl and sprinkle over your chosen seasoning or spice rub. Toss the ribs until they are evenly coated. You can make your own spice rub or buy a ready-made barbecue seasoning. A basic homemade BBQ rub could include dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and ground black pepper.

Once your rib pieces are seasoned, the next step is to lightly spray them with cooking spray. This will help them cook evenly and give them a crispy texture. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with the cooking spray too, to prevent sticking. Place the ribs in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each piece. Then, lightly spray the tops of the ribs with more cooking spray.

Now your air fryer and ribs are prepared and ready to cook!

Cooking the ribs

First, preheat your air fryer to 350–380°F (176–195°C). You should also place water in the bottom of the air fryer pan (underneath the basket).

Before cooking, you should prepare your ribs. Remove the membrane from the ribs using a kitchen knife and clean it with a paper towel. Using a sharp knife, cut the rack into single riblets or three equal parts, depending on your preference. Dry the ribs with a paper towel.

Now, it's time to season your ribs. In a small bowl, add all your chosen spices and season both sides of the ribs. For a simple BBQ rub, you can combine dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic salt, and ground black pepper. Alternatively, for a Chinese-inspired dish, try marinating your ribs in a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, shaoxing wine, sugar, and white pepper. Don't forget to coat the ribs with cornstarch right before cooking!

Once your ribs are prepared and seasoned, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Spray the ribs with cooking spray or oil, and cook for 6 minutes. Then, shake or toss the ribs and cook for another 6–12 minutes.

After this initial cooking period, it's time to add the sauce. Lightly brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, or until the sauce caramelizes.

Finally, transfer the ribs to a bowl and toss with any remaining sauce. Let the ribs cool for 3–5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Making a dipping sauce

There are a variety of sauces that can be used as dips for pork riblets. Here are some ideas for making a delicious dipping sauce to accompany your air-fried pork riblets:

Thai-inspired Dipping Sauce

This sauce incorporates several bold flavours and is a perfect complement to the pork riblets. To make it, simply combine chopped garlic, cilantro, Thai chilli flakes, roasted rice powder, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and lime or lemon juice. Adjust the quantities to your taste preferences and desired level of spiciness.

BBQ Sauce

A classic BBQ sauce is always a good option for pork riblets. You can either use a store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own by combining ingredients such as ketchup, sugar, salt, garlic, soy sauce, and/or hoisin sauce. Adjust the quantities to your taste preferences.

Tzatziki, Ranch, Chipotle, or Spicy Mayonnaise

These sauces are mentioned as possible dips for pork riblets on the Hip Hip Gourmet website. They offer a range of flavours, from the cool and creamy tzatziki and ranch to the smoky and spicy chipotle and spicy mayonnaise. You can either make your own versions of these sauces or look for them in stores.

Papaya Sauce

This sauce is mentioned on Allrecipes.com as an accompaniment to baby back ribs. It likely has a sweet and fruity flavour that would also pair well with pork riblets. Unfortunately, the website does not provide a recipe for this sauce. However, you may be able to find a suitable recipe elsewhere or experiment with creating your own.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

As pork riblets are popular in Asian cooking, a sweet and sour sauce would be an excellent choice for a dipping sauce. This type of sauce typically combines sweet, sour, and umami flavours and can be made by mixing ingredients such as sugar, vinegar or lemon juice, soy sauce, and ketchup.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve pork riblets cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Dipping Sauce

You can serve the riblets with a dipping sauce. For example, you could combine chopped garlic, cilantro, Thai chilli flakes, roasted rice powder, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and lime or lemon juice.

Presentation

For a beautiful presentation, serve the riblets on a bed of green onion, chives, or green leaves.

Side Dishes

Some side dishes that would go well with the riblets include:

• Lemon, Parmesan, and Arugula Salad
• Roasted potatoes
• Spinach Soup
• Jalapeno Butter
• Coleslaw
• Potato Salad
• Baked Beans

Drinks

Some drinks that would pair well with the riblets include:

• Beer
• Cider
• Sparkling Water

Frequently asked questions