Suitable for low carb and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
Yeap, thanks to the air fryer, you can dig into a plate of delicious bbq ribs whenever the mood strikes. And if you’re anything like me, that mood happens to strike aaaallllll the time. #lovemybbqribs.
Love ribs and other meat recipes? Then check out these Air Fryer Pork Chops, and best ever Smothered Pork Chops, and easy Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin.
Why Make This recipe
Fast – get juicy ribs in a fraction of the time.Easy – cooking ribs in the Air Fryer is so simple. No need to switch on the outdoor grill or oven.
Ingredient Notes
Ribs – this recipe calls for 1 slab of baby back pork ribs cut into individual pieces.Seasoning – use smoked paprika and salt to taste.Barbecue sauce – just use your favorite barbecue sauce.
Ready to learn just how quick and easy cooking up baby back ribs in the air fryer is? Then gather up those ingredients and I will show you….
How To Cook Ribs In Air Fryer
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
Place the baby back pork ribs in a bowl, and add paprika and the best sea salt flakes ever, mixing to coat well.Then add bbq sauce and allow ribs to marinate for 30 mins or so. However don’t worry if you don’t have the extra time, you can just move straight to cooking.Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.Remove the ribs from the marinade, discarding the excess.Place ribs, meat side down first, inside the air fryer basket, making sure to allow space in between each rib.Cook air fryer ribs for 10-12 minutes for thin separated ribs or 20-25 minutes for thicker ribs. Turn ribs once halfway through the cook time.Take them out of the basket, let them rest for a few minutes, then serve as is or with an additional bbq sauce dip or salad.
Tips for Making Ribs in the Air Fryer
Feel free to slather on additional bbq sauce over ribs liberally and cook for a few more minutes just before removing them if you prefer these Air Fryer baby back ribs saucier. I happen to like ’em crispy, so I don’t.I prefer to have ribs separate when air frying, but if you prefer to cook as a whole slab (assuming your air fryer style basket is big enough), you may need to cook pork ribs for a few minutes longer.Please note these ribs are not going to be fall off the bone. For that, you would need to do some slow cooking, oven bake long and slow them or pressure cook them.For the best results cook baby ribs in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket with space around them so the hot air can circulate and cook them evenly. You might need to cook them in two batches if you don’t have a large air fryer.Keep an eye on the meat in the last few minutes, as it can go from cooked to burnt very quickly.For the best results, preheat the air fryer before cooking your meat.Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.
Delicious Variations
Swap the seasoning – use another spice rub like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, or any of your favorite seasoning blends. Add heat – red pepper flakes, chipotle, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, or just the right amount of hot sauce for a nice kick.Rub – use a dry rub instead of barbeque sauce.
Storage
Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQS
How Long to Cook Ribs In Air Fryer?
If you are cooking thin, separated pork ribs (which is what I prefer), the cooking time will be around 10-12 minutes. But for very thick ribs, you will need to allow up to 20-25 minutes. I recommend checking for doneness halfway through and then adjusting your cook time as needed.
What is the Temp to Air Fry Ribs?
I have found that these air fried ribs turn out best when cooked at a temperature of 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C. However, it is important to note that air fryer, temperatures can vary depending on the make and model, so please be sure to always check your food for doneness using a meat thermometer. When cooking meats, it is crucial to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached a safe temperature. Pork ribs are considered safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 145 F , but the rib meat will not be tender and juicy until it gets to 195 F.
What Type of Ribs Are Best For Air Frying?
When air frying bbq pork ribs I prefer to use baby back ribs, which tend to be smaller, less fatty and more tender than other pork ribs cuts. You can also use beef short ribs. And spare ribs, which come in either pork or beef, also work well when air frying.
Do You Need To Remove The Rib Membrane?
Some people recommend removing the thin membrane from the ribs before cooking. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t, and I enjoy the meat just as much either way. So try it both ways and see what you think.
Want More Easy Air Fryer Recipes?
Then check out these delicious recipes selection below.
Juicy Air Fryer Pork Chops.Air Fryer Whole Chicken.Cooking Frozen Burrito In Air Fryer. Easy Smothered Pork Chops.
Serving Suggestions
Smothered Potatoes.Air Fryer Corn On The Cob.Air Fryer Baked Potatoes.Air Fryer Potato Wedges.Homemade Southern Coleslaw.Easy Instant Pot Corn Bread.
Weight Watchers Points
There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints Points in a serving of these air fryer pork ribs. Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Ribs recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
