Air Fryer Ribs are a delicious and simple treat that can be enjoyed any time of the year. The combination of tender, juicy baby back ribs with flavor-filled seasonings makes for an unforgettable meal.
These fall off the bone air fryer ribs will soon become a family favorite, and because they’re so quick and easy to make, you don’t have to wait until the weekend to have them!
Table of Contents
Why You’re Going To LOVE These Air Fryer Ribs
There are so many things to love about this air fryer ribs recipe:
- The amount of time (or lack of) it takes to get these juicy ribs on the dinner table. The whole process is done in under 40 minutes, which is why air frying is now my new favorite way to cook ribs.
- Add a few side dishes and your meal is done in under an hour.
- The flavor of these ribs is beyond words. The sweet and spicy rub is what takes this recipe over the moon.
- They are so tender you won’t believe they were cooked in the air fryer!
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Paprika
- 4 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- BBQ Sauce
- Baby Back Ribs
*see recipe card for detailed amounts
How To Cook The Perfect Air Fryer Ribs
- Mix your dry rub spices, paprika, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, together in a bowl then rub them all over the surface of the ribs and place into your air fryer.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 10 minutes.
- Next, coat the ribs in your favorite bbq sauce, air fry for 5 minutes, open the basket and coat once more, then cook for 5 more minutes.
*if you want a little extra char on the bbq sauce, air fryer for an additional 5 minutes
Tips For The Best Air Fryer BBQ Ribs
- Be sure to coat the entire rack of ribs in the spice rub and the bbq sauce. A common mistake people make is only coating the meat side of the ribs – be sure to get the back of the ribs and sides of the ribs too so all that flavor seeps into the delicious ribs.
- Use your favorite barbecue sauce for this recipe – there are so many different types of sauces available, but be sure to use a sauce you like, and use extra bbq sauce if you prefer a more saucy and sticky finish to your rips.
- If you like a little spicy kick to your ribs, you can add some chili powder to your spice rub.
How Long Do You Cook Air Fry Ribs?
The cooking time of your air fryer ribs can vary based on the size of your air fryer and the size of your ribs, as well as a few other factors.
While this recipe calls for a total cook time of 30 minutes, the best way to ensure your ribs are cooked to perfection is by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
The ideal internal temperature for ribs is between 190 – 200 degrees F.
You can also check the tenderness of your ribs by using a fork to check the texture. If the fork easily goes into the meat, and the meat easily pulls away from the bone, they are likely done!
How Do You Make Ribs Tender In The Air Fryer?
If you’re wanting to cook the most tender ribs without slow cooking, the air fryer is by far the best way to do it.
There are a few things you can do to get the best results and ensure you have the most tender meat possible:
- While you don’t need to remove the membrane (silver skin) from the racks of ribs, doing so can potentially result in a more tender result. To do this, simply check along the back of the ribs and locate the thin, rubbery lining over the ribs. You can use a knife to slice under it, or find a corner of it and slowly peel it away (you may find holding it with a paper towel is easiest). Some ribs come with this already removed so don’t worry too much if you can’t find it.
- Place your ribs meat side down in the air fryer for the first 10 minutes, this allows the juices to settle into the meatier side of the ribs first.
- Be sure to flip your ribs as outlined in the recipe. Cooking your ribs without flipping them can lead to a drier, less tender result.
How To Store Leftover Ribs
Any leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The ribs will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
Be sure to wait until your ribs have cooled down to room temperature before putting them in the fridge.
How To Reheat Ribs In The Air Fryer
The air fryer is the perfect way to reheat ribs! Simply place your leftover ribs in the air fryer basket.
Air fry at 350 degrees F for 5-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, and cook until they are warmed all the way through.
You can also brush a bit of sauce onto the ribs before reheating if you’d like them extra saucy.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Ribs
Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with your tender and juicy air fryer ribs:
- Serve with coleslaw and potato salad for a more traditional ribs and sides meal
- Serve with our Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables.
- Potatoes are the perfect side to every meal, and our duck fat potatoes, parmesan potatoes, and Hasselbeck potatoes are my favorites.
Other Serving Ideas
- Using a sharp knife, cut into individual ribs and serve with dipping sauces such as additional bbq sauce, blue cheese sauce, or even my buttermilk ranch dressing (seriously, the saucier the better).
- If you want to keep it simple, just serve your air fryer ribs with some crusty bread and butter.
- Pull all of the delicious tender meat off the bone and serve on top of a baked potato.
FAQS
No. It is important to place ribs in a single layer with minimal space between each rib when cooking in the air fryer. This will help ensure even cooking and allow for optimal heat circulation. If you are looking to cook a larger rack of ribs, it may be necessary to cook them in two batches.
The best temperature for cooking ribs in the air fryer is 350 degrees F. This will ensure optimal texture and flavor!
No, you do not need to use the sauce on the ribs, you can simply use the dry rub if you’d prefer a non-saucy version of these ribs.
Try Some of My Other Favorite Tender Air Fryer Recipes For Dinner
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbsp Paprika
- 4 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce
- 2 pounds Baby Back Ribs
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix your dry rub spices, paprika, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, together in a bowl then rub them all over the surface of the ribs and place into your air fryer.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, then flip and air fry for another 10 minutes.
- Next, coat the ribs in your favorite bbq sauce, air fry for 5 minutes, open the basket and coat once more, then cook for 5 more minutes.
- *if you want a little extra char on the bbq sauce, air fryer for an additional 5 minutes
NOTES
Store Leftover Ribs
- Any leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The ribs will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Be sure to wait until your ribs have cooled down to room temperature before putting them in the fridge.
Reheat Ribs In The Air Fryer
- The air fryer is the perfect way to reheat ribs! Simply place your leftover ribs in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for 5-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, and cook until they are warmed all the way through.
- You can also brush a bit of sauce onto the ribs before reheating if you’d like them extra saucy.
