Cooking ribs in an air fryer is a method of preparing pork or beef ribs by baking them in a small countertop convection oven. This allows the ribs to become tender and juicy without needing to immerse them in oil. An air fryer uses rapid hot air to crisp and brown the exterior of the ribs. Ribs cooked this way can develop a crispy texture on the outside while the inside meat stays moist.
Have you ever wondered, How to cook ribs in an air fryer? Cooking ribs in an air fryer is surprisingly easy. With an air fryer, you can achieve tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs with crispy, browned exteriors without needing to deep fry or grill them. The countertop convection heat quickly penetrates the ribs, rendering out fat and collagen for meat that’s cooked through but still juicy inside.
When cooking ribs in an air fryer, it’s important to prepare the ribs properly first by removing the thin membrane from the bone side. Season them well, cut into individual ribs, then cook at 350-400°F for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brushing with sauce in the last 5 minutes ensures caramelized, lacquered results. The end reward is finger-licking ribs with crispy bark and moist, succulent meat.
Benefits of Cooking Ribs in an Air Fryer
Cooking ribs in an air fryer provides many advantages over other cooking methods. As it uses convection heat that quickly and evenly surrounds the food, ribs cooked in an air fryer tend to turn out moist and tender on the inside with a browned, crispy crust on the outside.
Some of the main benefits of using an air fryer include:
- Quick cooking time – Ribs cook fast in an air fryer, usually in 15-25 minutes compared to hours for grilling, smoking, or braising.
- Less fat and calories – The ribs cook without needing to be submerged in oil, resulting in fewer calories than deep frying.
- Crispy texture – The powerful convection heat creates a nice caramelized, crispy bark.
- Moist and tender meat – Hot air rapidly penetrates the meat, rendering collagen for a fall-off-the-bone texture.
- Easy cleanup – Air fryers have a small interior basket that doesn’t require scrubbing like a grill or pan drippings.
Choosing and Preparing Ribs for the Air Fryer
When selecting ribs to cook in your air fryer, opt for meatier varieties with more fat marbling rather than lean spare ribs. Fattier cuts become tender in the rapid air fryer heat.
Baby back and St. Louis ribs work especially well. For meatiest results choose ribs between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 pounds. Cut racks in half or individual ribs to fit in your machine.
Before seasoning and cooking, prepare ribs by:
- Removing thin membrane – Use a knife to peel off the papery membrane covering the bone side of the rack. This allows seasonings and heat to better penetrate.
- Patting dry – Blot ribs with paper towels so seasoning adheres. Wet ribs cause steaming instead of browning.
Once prepped, use a dry rub or wet marinade to infuse a big flavor. Sprinkle dry rub generously over both sides, pressing in. Or let ribs marinate for 4 hours or up to overnight in a zip-top bag with wet marinade.
How to Cook Ribs in an Air Fryer
Cooking ribs in an air fryer is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for finger-licking results:
Season Well
Coat both sides of the ribs liberally in dry rub spice mix or wet marinade. Dry seasonings work best for developing a crispy, caramelized bark.
Cut Rack to Fit
If working with a full slab, cut it in half or into individual ribs so that pieces lay flat in single layers at the bottom of the air fryer.
Air Fry at High Heat
Preheat and air fry ribs at a high temp between 350°F to 400°F, flipping halfway during cooking time. Smaller air fryers may require cooking in batches.
Brush with Sauce
During the last 5 minutes of fry time, lightly brush ribs with BBQ sauce, if desired, to develop a glazed lacquer.
Check for Doneness
Ribs are done when fork-tender and meat have shrunk back 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the ends of the bones. Total air fry time is usually 15-28 minutes.
Let Rest Then Serve
Let ribs rest for 5 minutes before cutting and digging in. Be careful as ribs retain immense heat. Refer to the air fryer manual as cook times vary by model. Check often as smaller pieces or meaty ribs may cook faster.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Ribs
Follow these tips for ultimate air-fried ribs every time:
- Brush with oil – Lightly coating ribs in oil helps form a crispy brown crust.
- Elevate rib pieces – Sit rib pieces on a cooking rack so air circulates underneath.
- Preheat for 5 minutes – Ensure the air fryer is fully heated before adding ribs.
- Don’t overcrowd – Cook ribs in a single layer, not stacked.
- Flip halfway – Turn ribs over midway during cooking time.
- Brush sauce lasts 5 minutes – Add sauce at the very end after crispy bark forms.
- Check early and often – Start checking for doneness at least 5 minutes early.
Best Ribs to Cook in an Air Fryer
The best cuts of ribs for air frying include:
- Pork baby back ribs – Naturally tender and well-marbled. Fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Pork spare ribs – More connective tissue so slice into St. Louis-style or individual ribs first. Fry at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Beef short ribs – Slice flanken-style across the bone before seasoning and frying at 400°F, 25-30 minutes.
- Meaty lamb breast ribs – Delicious shepherd-pie style ribs. Fry Seasoned chunks at 375°F for 18-22 minutes.
| Cut of Ribs | Cook Temp | Fry Time |
| Pork Baby Back | 400°F | 15-20 minutes |
| Pork Spare, St. Louis-cut | 375°F | 20-25 minutes |
| Beef Short Ribs | 400°F | 25-30 minutes |
| Lamb Breast Ribs | 375°F | 18-22 minutes |
The air fryer yields tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in a fraction of the time of simmering, braising or grilling. Preheat Ninja your air fryer before cooking for 5 minutes at the desired temperature to ensure it is fully heated. Crisp up your next game day spread by cooking ribs in your air fryer. Follow the guidance above for finger-licking results.
FAQ’s:
What temperature should I cook ribs in an air fryer?
Cook ribs in an air fryer at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.
How long does it take to cook ribs in an air fryer?
Ribs take 15-25 minutes to cook thoroughly when air fried.
Should ribs be cut before air frying?
For even cooking, cut racks in halves or individual ribs to lay flat in the air fryer basket.
What happens if I overcrowd ribs in my air fryer?
Overcrowding prevents air circulation and leads to uneven cooking.
Is it necessary to flip ribs when air frying?
Flip ribs halfway during cooking time to expose all sides to hot circulating air.
Conclusion:
Cooking ribs in an air fryer yields incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat with a crispy brown exterior in way less time than grilling or braising. The convection heat quickly penetrates the ribs from all sides, transforming connective collagen into succulent deliciousness. Just 15-25 minutes is all you need for finger-licking barbecue ribs minus the hassle of barbecue or deep frying. With minimal preparation like slicing racks and applying a dry rub, you can make ribs at home that rival your favorite restaurants.
Following a few simple steps like preheating, flipping halfway, and brushing on sauce in the last 5 minutes lets you master air frying ribs in no time. Your next game day spread or summer picnic will be a huge hit with juicy, seasoned ribs hot from your countertop air fryer. The simple How To Cook Ribs In Air Fryer? method lets you skip the slow cooker or grill while achieving the same mouthwatering results.
