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My juicy Air Fryer Ribs are ready in 35 minutes using simple ingredients! Enjoy incredibly flavorful, tender baby back ribs in no time with minimal effort. You will not believe how delicious the results are for this easy recipe!
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Pork Ribs
- Ribs Air Fryer Ingredients
- How to Air Fry Ribs
- Pork Ribs in Air Fryer Tips
- How to Make Pork Ribs in the Oven
- How to Cut Ribs
- Isabel's Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Ribs Recipe FAQ
- How to Store Pork Ribs
- How to Freeze Ribs
- How to Reheat Ribs
- What to Serve with Ribs
- 📌 Pin it for later!
- Pork Ribs in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Ribs
- Reviews
Air Fryer Pork Ribs
My family and I are obsessed with baby back ribs. After making the most amazing grilled baby back ribs at home, I knew I had to try air-frying ribs. Let me tell you, I was not disappointed!
This recipe for air-fried baby back ribs is so incredible that you will struggle to believe it's as simple as it is—but it is! Just a few easy steps, simple ingredients, and 35 minutes in the air-fried oven are all you need to make juicy, tender air-fried pork ribs.
This recipe is so easy and so delicious. My family now requests it weekly. Thank you for sharing such an easy recipe, my kind of recipe!
Amy via email
Ribs Air Fryer Ingredients
- Pork Ribs: I'm using baby back pork ribs, and that is what this recipe is tuned for, but you can also air fry spare ribs or boneless country-style ribs. Just make sure they can fit in your air fryer, and keep an eye on the timing, as it may differ for different rib cuts.
- BBQ Sauce: I'm using my sweet homemade BBQ sauce. It is so delicious! If you prefer more vinegar, you can try my Carolina-style BBQ sauce. Alternatively, just use your favorite store-bought bottled sauce.
- Rib Rub: Brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, Creole seasoning, black pepper, paprika, sea salt flakes or kosher salt, cumin, chili powder, and mustard powder mix together to form the ultimate rib rub for this air fryer ribs recipe. It has a sweet and smoky flavor that is just fantastic paired with the BBQ sauce, and the brown sugar caramelizes beautifully on the meat. You can also use my rib rub.
How to Air Fry Ribs
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. While it heats, pat ribs dry and cut them into 4 equal portions. Combine your rib rub seasoning in a bowl and mix well. Generously season ribs all over on both sides.
- Spray air fryer tray with cooking spray and place the ribs on the rack. Air fry for 30 minutes, turning at the 15 minute mark. After 30 minutes is up, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and air fry for another 5 minutes.
- Slice the ribs, serve, and enjoy!
If you love air fryer recipes, you must try my air fryer ham with honey siracha sauce. You will never want to cook ham any other way!
Pork Ribs in Air Fryer Tips
- Try my favorite 10-Quart Air Fryer for this recipe.
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce! You can use any kind you like, from sweet to spicy and everything in between. Whatever your favorite is, it will pair perfectly with these air-fried pork ribs.
- Serve air-fried pork ribs with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
- Preheat your air fryer before cooking the ribs. The air fryer must already be hot when the ribs begin cooking, so don't skip this step.
- Flip at the 15-minute mark for best results.
- My Rib Dry Rub is the perfect rib seasoning with air fryer baby back ribs! It is a mix of sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors for the ideal balance of flavor.
Air-frying pork ribs are a great choice when you want a quick and easy BBQ meal or want to grill out but the weather isn't right, or you don't have the time! I will show you how to make ribs in the air fryer. They are so delicious that you will want to make them this way every time. They are that good!
How to Make Pork Ribs in the Oven
To cook these baby back ribs in the oven, follow these instructions:
- Season the ribs all over with your seasoning mix. Cover well and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Take ribs from the refrigerator and allow them to come to room temperature, then lay them bone-side down on a wire rack. Add the wire rack to a baking tray lined with foil.
- Add to the oven and bake for approximately 1 hour. After 1 hour, brush with BBQ sauce and cook for 15 minutes. When the ribs reach an internal temperature of 195°F to 200°F, they are ready. Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature.
How to Cut Ribs
- Lay your ribs flat with the back side of the ribs facing up in order to cut from the back.
- Using a sharp knife, cut right next to the rib between each rib so each cut has plenty of meat on the bone.
Isabel's Air Fryer
It's amazing what you can cook with an air fryer! I love mine and highly recommend it. It even has a steaming function to re-hydrate stale bread!
photo courtesy of Our Place
Air Fryer Ribs Recipe FAQ
Not only can you cook pork ribs in the air fryer, but they cook very well in one. It takes very little time and effort to cook tender, juicy baby back ribs in an air fryer oven, making it a great option for a quick and flavorful BBQ dinner.
Air fryer baby back ribs take just 35 minutes to cook total, and you only have to flip them once halfway through.
Cook air fryer pork ribs at 350°F. Preheat your air fryer beforehand so it is nice and hot before cooking the ribs.
You do not need to remove the membrane to air fry pork ribs.
If you love pork recipes, try my favorite pork chop recipe. It is super easy and one of my family's favorite Sunday Supper ideas!
How to Store Pork Ribs
Store leftover baby back ribs in an airtight container or tightly sealed plastic bag with the air pushed out for up to 3-5 days.
How to Freeze Ribs
To freeze leftover ribs, store them in a tightly sealed freezer-safe bag with the air pushed out. Wrap in foil for extra protection and label with the freezing date. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To reheat ribs from frozen, first, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then follow reheating instructions.
How to Reheat Ribs
- Preheat the oven to 250˚F and place leftover ribs on a baking sheet lined with foil.
- Once the oven heats, add ribs to the oven until the meat reaches about 140˚F on a meat thermometer and is heated through.
- Uncover the ribs and brush them with barbecue sauce. Continue to bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can reheat ribs in the air fryer. To reheat ribs in your air fryer, follow these instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350˚F. Arrange your ribs in the air fryer after preheating.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of oil to the ribs to keep them from drying out and to crisp the outside.
- Fry for 3-4 minutes until heated through (140˚F on a meat thermometer).
- If you find they are not heated through to your liking, add them back for another 1-2 minutes.
What to Serve with Ribs
Do you have a convection oven? Try our guide on How to Use a Convection Oven!
And try my Air Fryer Steak Bites next!
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Did you enjoy this page? Save it on Pinterest for later!Pork Ribs in the Air Fryer
I have served these air fryer ribs for friends many times now, and let me tell you - it never gets old being asked for the recipe! These air fryer ribs are seriously amazing, and they're easy, too. Every time I make them, I can't believe they're ready in under 40 minutes for such incredible results. Give air frying ribs a try, and I know you'll be impressed, too!
Air Fryer Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 pounds baby back pork ribs
- ½ cup barbecue sauce - use your favorite kind
- 1 serving rib rub seasoning - use the full serving of the recipe
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. While it heats, pat ribs dry and cut them into 4 equal portions. Combine your rib rub seasoning in a bowl and mix well. Generously season ribs all over on both sides.3 pounds baby back pork ribs,1 serving rib rub seasoning
- Spray air fryer tray with cooking spray and place the ribs on the rack. Air fry for 30 minutes, turning at the 15 minute mark. After 30 minutes is up, brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and air fry for another 5 minutes.½ cup barbecue sauce
- Slice the ribs, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- To cut ribs, lay your ribs flat with the back side of the ribs facing up in order to cut from the back. Using a sharp knife, cut right next to the rib between each rib so each cut has plenty of meat on the bone.
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce! You can use any kind you like, from sweet BBQ sauce to spicy and everything in-between. Whatever your favorite is, it will pair perfectly with these air fryer pork ribs.
- Serve air fried pork ribs with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
- Make sure to preheat your air fryer before cooking the ribs. It's important the air fryer is already hot when the ribs begin cooking, so don't skip this step.
- Flip at the 15 minute mark for best results.
Kit says
This recipe worked out perfectly for me! I had to improvise a little with the BBQ sauce, but it was all delicious. Thank you!
Em Beitel says
So glad you enjoyed it, Kit! Thank you so much!
Will says
Made this tonight, really good!
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Will! We're so glad you enjoyed it!
Erik says
I do the air fry method with open pit and brown sugar mix and then throw them on the grill to finish them off with the sauce and me and my wife say they are the best ribs we've ever had, thank you!!
Aeil says
Ribs were delicious
Easy I will use this recipe weekly
Thanks for sharing
👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Aeil! We're very glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Heather Engle says
These were delicious & I followed the recipe to the letter; they turned out a little tough. The meat was not falling off the bone, as I prefer. Any tweaks I could try to get the desired results?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Heather! Hmm, I'm sorry to hear this. However, I'm glad you still enjoyed the taste! What I would recommend is cooking for 5 minutes less than the stated time next time - and basting halfway through the process with BBQ sauce as well. We also used a tray-style air fryer model rather than one with a basket, and that could have something to do with it. But, I believe reducing the time by 5 minutes and basting with BBQ sauce halfway through will ensure your ribs are tender next time. Enjoy!
bill says
This recipe works surprisingly well in cooking ribs tender enough to eat. I have the Foodi Ninja which is a tray type not the basket type so I don't have to turn the ribs and can just cook straight through. As far as "fall off the bone" tenderness, this really isn't the recipe for that and it shouldn't be expected. Do you not want to hold the rib in your hand to eat? I plan to cook just a little longer next time to get them just a little more tender.
Isabel Laessig says
I'm very glad to hear you enjoyed it, Bill! Thank you for your comment and review!
Melanie Harvey says
Hello out there, i haven't made the recipe yet but I do plan to make the ribs country style our favorite cut of ribs. I have all the ingredients for the rib rub here just hope its not to spicey my partner doesn't like real spicey. Hope they turn out maybe I can comment on it .
Sincerely,
Melanie Lynne
Isabel Laessig says
Thanks so much, Melanie! I'm happy to hear you'll be making them!
Katherine Mee says
Wow. Just wow. I made these tonight. The.best.ribs.ever. I had to call my neighbors to share they were that good. I only hope the next time I make these they come out as good!
Isabel Laessig says
So glad you enjoyed them, Katherine! Thank you so much for your comment!
Shirl Morgan says
Can you cook without thawing mear?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Shirl! I do think this is possible at the same temperature and time, but I would recommend thawing them first as the meat may come out more tough if you don't thaw them first. Thawing will adhere the seasoning and sauce to the ribs better, too. If you're in a rush, you can add them to a plastic bag and place the bag in cold water to thaw. Change the water every 30 minutes and they should be thawed in under 1 hour or so.