Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs (tender and smoky American classic)

There’s nothing more American than a plate of smoky, sticky, fall-off-the-bone Air Fryer BBQ Ribs. But if you’ve ever made ribs the traditional way—slow-smoking them outside or baking them for hours in the oven—you know it’s a time-consuming process.

That’s where the air fryer comes in. This kitchen powerhouse makes it possible to enjoy tender, juicy, barbecue-glazed ribs in less than an hour without heating up your whole kitchen. The air fryer gives you that perfect crispy caramelization on the outside while keeping the meat soft and succulent inside.

Whether you’re planning a quick weeknight dinner, craving backyard BBQ flavors in the middle of winter, or just want to impress your family without spending hours cooking, these Air Fryer BBQ Ribs are the ultimate hack.

In this recipe, we’ll cover everything: how to prep your ribs, the best rubs and sauces to use, exact cooking times, and tips for making them taste like they came straight off the grill.

Nutrition Per Serving :

Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

Tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs made in the air fryer! These smoky, caramelized ribs are ready in under an hour with a sticky barbecue glaze. Perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Resting Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• ▢ rack pork Ribs about 2–2.5 lbs, baby back or spare ribs
• ▢ 1 tbsp olive oil to help seasonings stick
• ▢ 1 tbsp brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp onion powder
• ▢ 1 tsp Chili powder optional, for spice
• ▢ 1 tsp Salt 🧂
• ▢ ½ tsp Black pepper
• ▢ 1 cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand or homemade
• ▢ Optional: ½ tsp liquid smoke for extra smokiness

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Instructions

 

Step 1: Prep the ribs

• ▢
  Start by removing the thin silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs. Use a butter knife to loosen one corner, then grab it with a paper towel and peel it off. This ensures tender ribs that aren’t chewy.
• ▢
  Pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Moisture will prevent the rub from sticking and can make them soggy in the air fryer.

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Step 2: Season generously

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  Rub the rack of ribs lightly with olive oil. This helps the spices stick and adds a little richness.
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  In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
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  Massage the spice blend evenly all over the ribs, front and back, until fully coated.

Step 3: Preheat and arrange ribs

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  Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
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  Cut the rack into halves or thirds to fit into your air fryer basket. Place them in a single layer, meaty side facing down.

Step 4: First cook

• ▢
  Air fry the ribs at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
• ▢
  Halfway through (at the 10-minute mark), flip the ribs so both sides get an even cook.

Step 5: Sauce and caramelize

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  After the first 20 minutes, brush ribs generously with your favorite BBQ sauce.
• ▢
  Air fry again at 400°F (200°C) for 10–15 minutes, until the sauce becomes sticky, caramelized, and slightly charred at the edges.

Step 6: Rest and serve

• ▢
  Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
• ▢
  Slice between the bones, brush with extra BBQ sauce if desired, and serve hot.

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Notes

🔹️For smoky flavor: Add a dash of liquid smoke to your BBQ sauce or spice rub.

 

🔹️Spare ribs vs. baby back: Baby back ribs are leaner and cook slightly faster, while spare ribs are meatier and richer. Adjust cooking time by +5 minutes for spare ribs.

 

🔹️Dry rub lovers: Skip the sauce and cook with just the dry rub. They’ll come out beautifully seasoned and crisp.

 

🔹️Sauce swap: Try honey garlic sauce, spicy buffalo, or teriyaki for unique rib flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 480kcal

Keyword Pork

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Serving Suggestions :

Pair with cornbread, baked beans, or coleslaw for a Southern-style feast.

Serve with air fryer French fries, mac and cheese, or grilled corn on the cob for a backyard BBQ vibe.

For drinks, ribs go perfectly with iced tea, lemonade, or a cold beer.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen ribs in the air fryer?

A: It’s best to thaw them first. Frozen ribs won’t cook evenly and may dry out.

Q: Can I make beef ribs instead of pork?

A: Yes! Beef ribs are larger and meatier. Increase cooking time by 10–12 minutes, checking for tenderness.

Q: How do I reheat leftover ribs?

A: Reheat at 350°F in the air fryer for 5–7 minutes. Brush with extra BBQ sauce to keep them moist.

Q: Can I cook a full rack without cutting?

A: If your air fryer is large enough, yes. Otherwise, cut into halves or thirds for better circulation and even cooking.