This air fryer baby back ribs recipe is a quick and easy way to get delicious, fall-off-the-bone pork back ribs without having to fire up the grill.
The ribs come out tender and juicy with minimal effort on your part. Plus, they cook up quickly, so you won't have to wait forever to enjoy a delicious rib dinner. My family loves this dish.
One of my favorite summertime activities is grilling out with family and friends. I love the smell of charcoal in the air, and there's nothing quite like food cooked outdoors.
Whenever grilling season is coming to an end doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to ribs! These fall-off-the-bone back ribs are cooked in the air fryer, so they're quick and easy to make. Plus, they're just as delicious as grilled ribs. So fire up your air fryer and let's get started!
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Ribs
The key to making great air fryer ribs is to start with a good dry rub. This will help to form a flavorful crust on the ribs as they cook.
Once the ribs are rubbed, you can either cook them immediately or let them sit for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop.
When you're ready to cook, simply preheat your air fryer and cook the ribs for 26 minutes. The result is tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked ribs that are sure to please any barbecue lover.
Ingredients
- 1 rack of pork ribs (baby back ribs)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp. BBQ Coffee and Garlic Rub
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. cumin
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt, or to taste
Directions
In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices. Rub the oil and spice mixture all over the ribs. (picture 1).
Let the ribs marinate in the oil and spice rub for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius) on air fry mode (air crisp)
Place the racks of ribs in your air fryer directly in the basket (or tray). You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. My Cuisinart Air fryer oven could comfortably fit the entire rack of baby back ribs in one batch. (picture 2)
Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time.
Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 3 minutes per side, or until the ribs with the sauce will caramelize to your liking. (pictures 3 and 4).
These fall-off-the-bone back ribs are cooked in half an hour using an air fryer! Marinated then rubbed with a spice blend, these pork ribs are full of flavor with a slightly crispy exterior from being cooked in an air fryer. Feel free to brush with more BBQ sauce before serving for an extra boost of flavor.
What to Serve with Baby Back Ribs
Corn on the Cob: this is a summertime classic that pairs well with ribs. It's sweet, crunchy texture contrasts nicely with the juicy, tender ribs. For an added touch of flavor, try brushing the corn with butter or garlic before grilling it.
Blue Cheese dip: When it comes to the dipping sauce, blue cheese dip is always a great option. The sharp flavor of the blue cheese pairs well with the richness of the ribs, and the creamy texture provides a nice contrast to the crunchy exterior of the ribs.
Plus, homemade blue cheese dip is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, so it's perfect for entertaining.
Potato salad is another essential side dish for any barbecue or ribs dish. It's cool, it's creamy, and it has the perfect amount of tang from the vinegar or lemon dressing. Plus, it pairs nicely with both ribs and baked beans. For an extra boost of flavor, add some chopped bacon or diced ham to your potato salad recipe.
Coleslaw is a refreshing, crisp side dish that cuts through the richness of baby back ribs. It's also very easy to make ahead of time, which makes it perfect for entertaining. To give your coleslaw some extra zing, try adding a bit of diced onion or jalapeno pepper to the mix.
How to Store Baby Back Ribs
To store your air-fried baby back ribs, first, allow them to cool completely. Once they are cool, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days.
When you are ready to reheat the ribs, remove them from the wrapper and place them on a baking sheet. Heat the ribs in a preheated air fryer for 2 minutes per side, or until they are heated through.
More Fall-off-the-Bone Recipes
Juicy Tender Pork Chops rolled in mayo and dipped in Panko
Fall-off-the-bone Air Fryer Chicken Wings
How to Make Perfect Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs
This air fryer ribs recipe is a quick and easy way to get delicious, fall-off-the-bone pork back ribs without having to fire up the grill.
They come out tender and juicy with minimal effort on your part. Plus, they cook up quickly, so you won't have to wait forever to enjoy a delicious rib dinner. My family loves this dish.
Ingredients
- 1 rack of pork ribs (baby back ribs)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp. BBQ Coffee and Garlic Rub
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. cumin
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. Salt, or to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices. Rub the oil and spice mixture all over the ribs.
- Let the ribs marinate in the oil and spice rub for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 Celsius) on air fry mode (air crisp)
- Place the racks of ribs in your air fryer directly in the basket (or tray). You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. My Cuisinart Air fryer oven could comfortably fit the entire rack of baby back ribs in one batch.
- Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time.
- Remove the ribs from the air fryer and brush with your favorite BBQ sauce. I used TJ's Kansas Style BBQ Sauce.
- Cook for an additional 3 minutes per side, or until the ribs with the sauce will caramelize to your liking.
Notes
How to Store Baby Back Ribs
To store your air-fried baby back ribs, first, allow them to cool completely. Once they are cool, wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to four days.
When you are ready to reheat the ribs, remove them from the wrapper and place them on a baking sheet. Heat the ribs in a preheated air fryer for 2 minutes per side, or until they are heated through.
Maggie
Tried this recipe and was awed by how simple it was to do and how tender and flavourful the ribs were. I will never go back to simmering ribs to tenderize them again.
Irina
Yay! Thank you so much for letting me know and writing in. I'm so glad you loved it as much as I did.