How to Cook BBQ Ribs in a Air Fryer Recipe

If you love BBQ ribs, but don’t have the outdoor space or time to properly cook them, then this how-to guide is for you!

bbq-baby back ribs with tangy sauce and brush

This recipe will show you how to get perfectly cooked and delicious BBQ ribs using an air fryer. Get ready to make some deliciousness with minimal effort.

Cooking baby back ribs in an air fryer is a great way to get the best results and enjoy delicious, tender, juicy ribs.

It’s the best way to make BBQ ribs indoors with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

If you want to make sure your meal turns out perfectly every time, then cooking air fryer baby back ribs is one of the many ways to go.

What is an Air fryer?

air fryer machine in kitchen

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air and rapid circulation to cook food quickly and evenly.

It’s an energy-efficient way to make delicious fried foods without all the added fat of traditional frying methods.

You can use it to make a variety of dishes, including BBQ ribs. Cooking BBQ ribs in an air fryer is one of the favorite recipes to make during the summer months.

It’s easy to do and requires minimal effort, making it a great option for first-time cooks or busy families.

Plus, you can customize how you make your ribs by adding a homemade spice rub or adjusting the size of your air fryer depending on how much food you need to make.

There are many great recipes you can choose to make in an air fryer.

How to Make BBQ Ribs in The Air Fryer

bbq ribs dish

Baby back ribs are a favorite when it comes to air fryer recipes.

The moist and tender meat, combined with the flavor and texture of your favorite BBQ sauce make these ribs a party pleaser!

Ingredients

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious recipe to make BBQ ribs in your air fryer, then look no further!

This simple recipe requires just a few simple ingredients – individual ribs, some barbecue sauce, and a bit of seasoning.

With minimal effort, you can create a delicious meal the whole family will love.

  • 2 1/2 pounds rack of ribs
  • 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce
  • 3-4 tablespoons of dry BBQ seasoning
  • Cooking spray

How to Make Air Fryer Ribs Recipe

grilled pork ribs with barbecue sauce on dark background

This easy recipe will be one of your new favorite ways to make ribs and is sure to please anyone at your dinner table!

1. First, remove the silver skin or membrane from the ribs before cooking.

2. Next cut the ribs with a sharp knife to fit them into the air fryer tray.

3. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees or 190.5 degrees C. Light spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

4. Sprinkle the dry rub seasoning on all sides of the ribs and the underside of the ribs.

5. Place the ribs meat side down in the air fryer basket and fry for 15 minutes.

6. Next turn the ribs over to the bone side with a pair of tongs and cook for another 10 minutes.

7. After the time is up increase the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Then brush the ribs with barbeque sauce and fry for an additional 2-4 minutes or 5-10 minutes for larger pieces.

Depending on how big the ribs are the amount of time may change.

8. Once done remove your juicy ribs from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sides!

How to Store Leftover BBQ Ribs

delicioys bbq ribs

BBQ ribs taste great when freshly cooked, but you can store any leftovers for later.

Allow the ribs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container or sealed plastic bag.

You can wrap them in aluminum foil or parchment paper before storing them in the fridge.

These ribs should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours.

Refrigerate your leftovers and consume them within 3-4 days.

Leftover ribs can be reheated in a 350-degree air fryer for 3-5 minutes. You can place ribs in the basket with extra bbq sauce if desired.

How to Check That They Are Done Cooking

Air fryer BBQ ribs can be both simple and delicious.

To make sure your ribs are cooked to perfection, you will need to use an internal temperature gauge as well as a cooking time guide.

This means that you’ll need a meat thermometer or instant-read thermometer handy, along with a paper towel for wiping off the back of the ribs when checking their doneness.

The internal temperature of your ribs should reach 165°F when done.

Dry Rubs For Ribs in Air Fryer

closeup of pork ribs grilled with bbq sauce

Making mouth-watering ribs in an air fryer is a delicious and easy recipe that will leave your guests wanting more.

To make this amazing dish, you’ll need two racks of ribs, a small bowl to mix up your dry rub ingredients, and some cooking spray.

Once everything is prepped and ready to go, lay the racks of ribs out in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket.

Then sprinkle with your desired dry rub seasoning for extra flavor! You can brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chili powder that will give the ribs a sweet and spicy flavor.

With just a few simple steps you can have tender and juicy BBQ ribs ready in no time.

What to Serve With Your Ribs

bbq ribs on wood table

Side dishes can make or break a meal, so be sure to pick something that complements your ribs.

A few ideas include macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, garlic mashed potatoes, cornbread muffins, and roasted vegetables.

You can even try air fryer corn on the cob in the same air fryer as your ribs for a complete meal.

Experiment with different flavors and textures to find the perfect pairing for your air fryer rib recipe!

Types of Ribs

barbecue pork ribs with sauce on top

Ribs are a classic comfort food, and with the right technique, you can make them even more delicious.

Whether you’re looking for spare ribs, air fryer pork ribs, bone-in beef ribs, or boneless tender pork ribs, an air fryer is the perfect tool to get that succulent and juicy texture.

Boneless ribs are already cut into thinner pieces which means they are usually cooked a little faster than bone ribs.

There are many different types of ribs and each one will require a slightly different cooking time.

Short ribs, back ribs, and baby back ribs are some popular types of ribs that can be cooked in an air fryer.

There are also dry rub ribs, air fryer country style ribs, and even St. Louis style ribs.

Country-style ribs are usually cut from the shoulder and are meatier than baby back or spare ribs. The best ribs to use in an air fryer are short ribs, back ribs, or baby back ribs.

No matter which type of rib you choose, an air fryer is sure to give you delicious results every time!

Tips For Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

a closeup of barbecued ribs and a sauce brush

Cooking the most tender and juicy air fryer ribs can be a challenge, especially if it’s your first time.

It’s important to remember to place the bone side of the ribs facing down on the underside of the air fryer basket.

This will help ensure that your ribs cook evenly and thoroughly. You’ll want to spray a light coating of cooking spray over the ribs before you place them in the air fryer.

If you have a larger rack an easy way to fit them in the basket is to cut them into smaller pieces and cook two batches.

This will help give your ribs a nice golden-brown crust and prevent them from sticking to the basket.

Ribs can also be cooked with additional bbq sauce or any other desired marinade to bring out even more flavor.

Final Thoughts

barbecue pork spare ribs flat lay

Cooking the most tender ribs in an air fryer takes time and patience.

It’s important to remember to place the bone side of the ribs facing down on the underside of the air fryer basket.

This slow cooking process helps ensure that your ribs will cook evenly and thoroughly throughout, guaranteeing a juicy and flavorful meal.

Air fryer ribs are a great way to enjoy classic comfort food without all the hassle of the traditional oven or smoker methods.

And with a few simple tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make perfect air fryer BBQ ribs every time! Don’t use a printable recipe card to get all the ingredients, steps, and the cook time!

how to cook bbq ribs in a air fryer

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

Delicious bbq ribs on a wooden cutting board, expertly cooked in an air fryer.

BBQ ribs in an air fryer are sure to be a party please with tons of flavor and texture!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds rack of ribs
  • 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce
  • 3-4 tablespoons of dry BBQ seasoning
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. First, remove the silver skin or membrane from the ribs before cooking.
  2. Next cut the ribs with a sharp knife to fit them into the air fryer tray.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees 10 190.5 degrees C. Light spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  4. Sprinkle the dry rub seasoning on all sides of the ribs and the underside of the ribs.
  5. Place the ribs meat side down in the air fryer basket and fry for 15 minutes.
  6. Next turn the ribs over to the bone side with a pair of tongs and cook for another 10 minutes.
  7. After the time is up increase the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Then brush the ribs with barbeque sauce and fry for an additional 2-4 minutes or 5-10 minutes for larger pieces.
  8. Once done remove your juicy ribs from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sides!

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