If you are looking for BBQ Ribs to make for game day, then I have got you covered with my Air Fryer BBQ Ribs recipe. These baby back ribs are seasoned with a homemade dry rub and brushed with BBQ sauce for the ultimate sweet, smoky flavors. Making ribs in air fryer is fuss-free, results in juicy and tender ribs every single time and gets ready in 45 minutes for the dinner table.
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BBQ baby back ribs are always a crowd favorite, but sometimes it become cumbersome to start the grill or oven for small portions. Air fryer is the perfect solution to make ribs regularly.
You will want to make my air fryer ribs again n again without stressing over a grill or oven.
Tender BBQ Ribs in the Air Fryer
These pork ribs are seasoned with a brown sugar spice rub, air-fried until perfectly tender, and then brushed with BBQ sauce. You may not find these “fall-off-the-bone” tender like oven baked or smoked ribs but you will still be able to clean the bone. Personally, I love this air fried ribs recipe that is healthier, quicker, and delicious.
I would not recommend to continue cooking further thinking they will get more tender. Once temperature inside the ribs hit 190F they’ll start to dry out. So if you are looking for “fall off the bone” tenderness, I would recommend using other cooking methods.
Ingredients for Air Fryer BBQ Ribs
You need only three ingredients to make ribs in air fryer if using store-bought sauce and seasoning.
- Baby back pork ribs: I use baby back pork ribs for this air fryer recipe. They’re less fatty than spare ribs so they get really tender as they cook. Cook time changes when using spare ribs or any other rib cuts.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce or make homemade BBQ sauce.
- BBQ Seasoning: I love making my own spice mix to customize the blend of flavors, but a store-bought spice rub will be just as delicious. Use about 2-3 tablespoons of a pre-made spice mix!
Tips For Success
- Do not overcook. Ribs are done cooking when the bones start to peek out and the internal temperature is between 180°-195°F. Use thermometer to make ensure that.
- I suggest not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will help ribs to cook evenly.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: It is hard to believe that there will any leftovers. But if any leftover ribs are there, I will transfer them in a air tight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. I like to reheat in microwave or in oven. Air fryer might end up burning bbq sauce that is already over the ribs.
Freeze: I would use freezer friendly bags to store them and freeze for up to 3 months. Personally, air fryer BBQ ribs is a easy recipe, instead of freezing you can just store seasoned ribs in the fridge 3-4 days in advance. While preparing all you need is to preheat the airfryer and cook them. This will save the thawing time.
Serving Suggestions
It’s the perfect football Sunday food and I love to make these as a appetizer on a game day or just serve as a whole meal during dinner time. Creamy Coleslaw, Corn on the cob, Pasta Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Potato Salad are few sides that I would love to pair up to make it a whole meal.
5-Star Review
“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn
Air Fryer BBQ Ribs Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-3 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 5 minutes. Spray the inner basket of the air fryer with nonstick spray.
- Remove the silverskin membrane from the back of the ribs. Pat dry the ribs and cut them into 4 equal portions.3-3 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin. Set aside.1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Rub the spice mixture all over the ribs.
- Place the ribs meat side down in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the ribs for 30 minutes, flipping after 15 minutes.
- Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Serve with more BBQ sauce, as desired.⅓ cup BBQ sauce
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Ribs: To remove the silverskin membrane from the back of the ribs, use a sharp knife to lift it away from the ribs and pull to remove it. Your butcher can also complete this step for you!
- Air fryer Version- You may not find these “fall-off-the-bone” tender like oven baked or smoked ribs but you will still be able to clean the bone. I would not recommend to continue cooking further thinking they will get more tender. Once temperature inside the ribs hit 190F they’ll start to dry out. So if you are looking for “fall off the bone” tenderness, I would recommend using other cooking methods.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Ribs Step by Step
Preheat Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with non stick cooking oil. You can also place aluminium foil at this step.
Prepare ribs: Often, baby back ribs come with a thin membrane on the back of the ribs. You can certainly keep the membrane on, but the ribs will be chewier. To remove the membrane, use a sharp knife to life it away from the ribs and pull to remove it.
Now that you have removed the skin, pat the ribs dry and cut the rack in four equal pieces.
Prepare spice rub: First, take a small glass bowl, combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika,1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ½ teaspoon ground cumin. Mix well and keep it ready.
Season the ribs: Take the spice mix and rub all over the ribs. Make sure to cover all sides.
Carefully place the seasoned ribs in the air fryer basket and cook for 30 minutes.
Remember to flip them after 15 mins.
Apply BBQ sauce: Almost there! once the 30 mins cooking time over, brush the ribs with 1/3 cup of BBQ sauce. Cook for another 5 minutes. I will not cook more than 5 minutes as
Serve: With the beep sound, your air fryer BBQ ribs are ready to indulge. I love to serve them with extra BBQ sauce. No matter how you serve them, these BBQ ribs are always a hit!
