This Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs recipe is the quickest and easiest way to get juicy ribs on your table without using a grill. This delicious recipe results in the most tender ribs and will be a family favorite.
Living in an apartment has sparked my creativity, constantly pushing me to innovate and reimagine traditional grill recipes into easy air fryer recipes. These air fryer BBQ ribs don't require a grill or oven making it the perfect recipe for those with small kitchens. Next time you are craving BBQ, try this air fryer recipe.
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🌟Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Pantry staples. The dry rub on these ribs can be made with simple spices found in most household pantries.
- Short Cook Time. Prepare and cook this air fryer ribs recipe in just 35 minutes!
- Minimal effort. Air fryer pork ribs require little effort to make and are perfect to enjoy during the summer months or year-round.
🥘Ingredients and Substitutions
- Garlic Powder. If you've run out of garlic powder you can substitute fresh garlic. Be sure to spread the garlic evenly on the ribs as fresh garlic is sticky.
- Rack of Baby Back Ribs. You can also use spare ribs but they will need to be cooked longer.
- Homemade Spice Rub. A mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper.
- Favorite BBQ Sauce. Use your choice of a homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce to smother on the rack of ribs.
See the recipe card below for the remaining ingredients and quantities.
🔪Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 380 degrees F. Remove the membrane (tissue on the underside of the ribs). Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Combine the dry spices and brown sugar in a small bowl then coat the dry rub on both sides of the ribs.
- Cut the ribs into 4 equal parts. Depending on the size of your air fryer you will need to cook in batches. Place the ribs meat side down in the air fryer basket or rack in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
- Brush the ribs down with barbecue sauce and cook for 2-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F. Once done cooking, remove the racks of ribs from the and let them rest. Repeat the steps for the remaining ribs. Serve with additional BBQ sauce and enjoy!
How to Remove the Membrane From Ribs
- Turn the rack of ribs facedown and locate the thin, translucent membrane.
- Slide your fingers or a blunt knife underneath the membrane on one side to help loosen it. I recommend using a paper towel to grip the membrane.
- Slowly peel it off the ribs until it comes off completely. For more detailed instructions, check out this guide on how to remove pork rib membranes.
💭Recipe FAQs
Pork ribs are taken from the underbelly of the pig while baby back ribs are taken from the upper back portion connected to the spine, which results in smaller and more curved ribs.
I recommend inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the ribs, away from the bone. For safety, the ribs should be 145 degrees F, however, if you want fall-off-the-bone tenderness, you should cook them until they reach 195-200 degrees F.
Nope! Just cook these ribs as outlined in the recipe card below. No need to wrap the ribs in foil.
👩🏻🍳Sarah's Top Tips
- Make sure to add BBQ sauce before the ribs are done so the sauce can caramelize.
- For best results, lay the ribs flat in the air fryer to allow the hot air to provide an even cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the ribs in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. If you overcrowd the ribs, you increase your chances of an uneven cook.
- Look for a rack of ribs with a good amount of meat on it and are fresh.
- Don't forget to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This will help make the meat more tender. Use a sharp knife to loosen the membrane, then grip it with a paper towel and pull it off.
- Letting the ribs rest for a few minutes after cooking keeps them moist and tender.
🥗Serving
Air fryer baby back ribs are the perfect summer staple to add to your dinner table. Pair them with your favorite sides like Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread, Rotini Pasta Salad or No-May Potato Salad.
Round out the party with some delicious cocktails like Cucumber Jalapeno Margaritas or Spicy Watermelon Margaritas.
🥣Storage & Reheating
Store your leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the ribs in the air fryer for a few minutes or wrap them in aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Add extra BBQ sauce for serving.
More BBQ Recipes
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📋 Recipe
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Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs
KITCHEN TOOLS NEEDED
- Small Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 rack of Baby Back Ribs
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Pat the ribs dry with a paper towel and remove the membrane.
- Mix all of the spices and brown sugar together in a bowl and season the ribs on all sides with the dry rub seasoning.
- Cut the rack into 4 equal portions. I recommend cooking the ribs in two batches for optimal results.
- Place the rack meat side down in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 8-10 minutes.
- Brush the ribs with some of the bbq sauce and cook for another 2-5 minutes or until the ribs reach 190 degrees F.
- Remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Repeat with the remainder of the rib rack. Serve with additional barbecue sauce as desired.
Sarah's Tips
- Make sure to add BBQ sauce before the ribs are done so the sauce can caramelize.
- For best results, lay the ribs flat in the air fryer to allow the hot air to provide an even cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the ribs in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding. If you overcrowd the ribs, you increase your chances of an uneven cook.
- Look for a rack of ribs with a good amount of meat on it and are fresh.
- Don't forget to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs. This will help make the meat more tender. Use a sharp knife to loosen the membrane, then grip it with a paper towel and pull it off.
- Letting the ribs rest for a few minutes after cooking keeps them moist and tender.
- Store your leftover ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat the ribs in the air fryer for a few minutes or wrap them in aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Add extra BBQ sauce for serving.
The cookbook is packed with easy-to-follow recipes that require only 6 ingredients to help you simplify your weeknights. Includes kitchen tips, ingredient swaps & grocery lists!
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