My air fryer baby back ribs turn out super juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender with an incredible crust! I will never babysit ribs in the oven or on the grill all day again.
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My Easy Recipe for Air Fryer Ribs
My husband, Ben used to be the rib chef of the family and would spend all day slow cooking them on the grill or the smoker. And to his credit, they always turned out amazing! But one weekend when the weather was just too awful to cook outside for hours, I suggested trying air fryer baby back ribs.
My goal was to get them super tender, like they’d been slow cooked all day, but also to get an amazing crust on the outside. I decided to start with a dry rub, then brush the ribs with BBQ sauce near the end of the air frying time so it would caramelize.
Ben was obviously torn between being skeptical of this non-grill, non-smoker method while also being super grateful he didn’t have to brave the winter weather all day. But as soon as he took a bite, his face said it all!
I didn’t want to gloat because I know how men are with their ribs, but between you and me, I think my air fryer recipe cooks them just as well, and it only takes 30 minutes!
And if you love a good rib recipe, try my recipes for baby back ribs in the oven, air fryer spare ribs, braised beef short ribs, and country style ribs in the air fryer.
Air fryer Pork Ribs Ingredients
- Rack of baby back pork ribs – I use baby back ribs for this recipe. I buy them in a rack, and cut them into sections that fit the air fryer basket.
- Paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder – I use these in the dry rub to add a flavorful smoky essence to the ribs.
- Salt and pepper – Brings out the natural taste of the pork.
- Brown sugar – This adds a little sweetness to the recipe. I use light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar and even maple syrup will work.
- BBQ sauce – For a sticky, caramelized glaze that just screams the best air fryer ribs ever!
How to Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Peel the silverskin membrane from the back of the ribs. Slice the rack into 2-3 sections that fit into the air fryer basket or tray.
STEP TWO: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees.
STEP THREE: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, brown sugar, chili powder, and pepper. Season both sides of the ribs with the bbq spice rub, covering both sides well.
STEP FOUR: Place the rib sections in the air fryer basket or tray, meat side down, and air fry them for 25 to 27 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
STEP FIVE: Open the basket and brush the ribs with BBQ sauce, then air fry them for another 5 minutes.
STEP SIX: Remove the ribs and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve them with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs
- I always make sure to remove the membrane, also called the silverskin, from the underside of the ribs. I also ask the butcher, as I’m buying the ribs because they sometimes take care of it themselves.
- If the ribs have a lot of excess moisture on the outside, I’ll pat them dry with paper towels before adding the BBQ spice rub to help it stick better.
- I usually add a piece of bread or a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to catch any drippings, which prevents the air fryer from smoking.
- I use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 190 degrees F before I remove the ribs from the air fryer.
- Let the ribs rest after air frying to lock in the juices. I like to give them at least 5 minutes before slicing them up to serve.
Ribs in the Air Fryer Variations and Substitutions
- I mix a tablespoon of chipotle powder into the dry rub when I’m in the mood for a spicy kick.
- For a savory flavor twist, I’ll brush the ribs with melted butter and minced garlic, then add grated Parmesan after cooking. This is my kids’ favorite version!
- To give the ribs an Asian-inspired flair, I mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, minced ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, then use it to glaze the ribs in the last few minutes of cooking.
- When I want to lean into the dry rub, I’ll skip the sauce and coat the ribs with more spices like dry mustard or ground cumin.
- For a sweet and tangy flavor, I like to mix equal parts honey and mustard, add a dash of apple cider vinegar, and then brush the mixture over the ribs before and after air frying.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Ribs
I love serving hearty sides with air fryer pork ribs, like air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer baked potato, or air fryer baked sweet potatoes.
If I’m looking for some tasty veggies, I’ll whip up air fryer asparagus, air fryer cabbage, or air fryer brussels sprouts!
Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs FAQs
How to store air fryer pork ribs
I let the ribs cool to room temperature to avoid any condensation, then wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or I transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, I’ll place them in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How long to cook ribs in the air fryer
I air fry baby back ribs for 30 minutes total, and they turn out incredible every time! The meat reaches that perfect level of tenderness where it comes off the bone easily without getting mushy, and the ribs get an amazing crust on the outside.
How to reheat baby back ribs in the air fryer
To reheat leftover ribs, I start by preheating the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Once hot, I place the ribs in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-8 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy on the outside!
Do air fryer ribs get tender?
I love using the air fryer to get amazingly tender baby back ribs! The meat practically falls off the bone but doesn’t get mushy, which is the perfect level of tenderness in my opinion.
What should I look for at the supermarket when buying ribs?
When I’m buying baby back ribs, I look for racks with plenty of meat and minimal fat. I also make sure the bones aren’t too exposed, which can mean the ribs were trimmed too aggressively and might turn out dry.
Why is my air fryer smoking?
If my air fryer starts smoking while cooking ribs, it’s usually because of excess fat dripping down and burning. I just add a little water or a slice of bread to the bottom of the basket to catch the drippings and prevent smoke.
What should I do if I have a lot of air fryer baby back ribs to cook?
Rather than overcrowd the air fryer basket, I’ll cook pork ribs in the air fryer in batches if I’m making a lot at once. I put the finished air fried ribs in the oven at the lowest temperature to keep them warm while the next batch cooks so everything is ready to serve at the same time.
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Easy Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs
Ingredients
- 3 pound rack of pork baby back ribs
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ sauce plus more as desired
Instructions
- Peel the silverskin from the back of the ribs then cut the rack into 2-3 sections that fit into the air fryer basket.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, brown sugar, chili powder, and pepper. Season both sides of the ribs with the bbq spice rub, covering both sides well.
- Place the rib sections in the air fryer basket, meat side down, and air fry for about 15 to 27 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
- Open the basket and brush the ribs with BBQ sauce — as much or little as you want. Close the air fryer and cook them for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, with additional BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
- If the ribs have a lot of excess moisture on the outside, pat them dry with paper towels before adding the BBQ spice rub to help it stick better.
- Add a piece of bread or a little water to the bottom of the air fryer to catch any drippings, which prevents the air fryer from smoking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 190 degrees F before removing the ribs from the air fryer.
- Let the ribs rest after air frying to lock in the juices. 5 minutes is all you need.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up 4 days.
- For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To reheat leftovers, air fry them in a preheated air fryer at 380 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
Put bread heels between the baskets to absorb the grease!
I cooked a rack of baby back ribs in my Foodi Ninja oven type air fryer today following the times and temp here. With this type of air fryer, you don’t have to stop and flip the ribs over as with a basket type. I cooked at 380 for about 32 minutes. Then I removed the ribs and put into a big bowl and slathered the BBQ sauce on them, coating them well. Then I cooked about another 10 minutes to caramelize the sauce. (I used Kraft bbq sauce). The ribs weren’t “fall off the bone” (that term gets boring) but the ribs cooked very well, just right for holding in the hand and eating. Next time, I’ll add about 10 more minutes to the cooking time to make them just a tad more tender. The taste was excellent. I made some homemade potato salad and deviled eggs on the side and had a feast. There is no easier and quicker method to cook tasty ribs.
I love my air fryer💯, but I’ve never made Baby back ribs in, everything else I cooked was absolutely fabulous so I’m going to try my baby back in there today too darn hot outside to be cooking on the barbecue
I made this tonight and they were the best ribs I have made weather in a smoker, grill and I will not try them any other way going forward. My bbq sauce was my own as were the spices somewhat but the cooking instructions were perfect. Thanks.
I am so glad you loved them, Bill!
On what setting is the pre heat, what setting do you cook them on the Power XL?
When using your Air Fryer, after pressing the power button and choosing a mode like “air fry” – the mode used in this recipe – you should encounter a prompt to specify the cooking temperature and duration. For this particular recipe, I recommend cooking at 380 degrees in your air fryer for 15 minutes, then flipping them over and continuing to cook them an additional 10-12 minutes.
My Ninja air fryer has either 375° or 390°. Which setting do you recommend?
I recommend opting for the lower temperature at 375 degrees. It may take a few minutes more to achieve the desired results, however cooking at the lower temperature will ensure you don’t accidentally overcook your baby back ribs. I hope that your ribs turn out fantastic!
I totally messed this up. I flipped the ribs over with a fork instead of using tongs. I just don’t know how to follow directions.
A fork compared to tongs shouldn’t matter too much, but tongs are definitely stronger so the ribs doesn’t fall apart.
My Ninja air fryer is 4 qt, can I cook 3lb at one time.Can you stack the ribs? How would you cook them in a 4 qt air fryer?
Hi Larry, With that size air fryer, you will likely have to cook your ribs in batches. They can be slightly overlapped, but they shouldn’t be stacked on top of each other. I hope this helps!
What size of air fryer did u use I have 6.5 qrt
Hi Christine, Mine is a 6.8 quart and a square shape. I hope this helps!
Made the baby back ribs yesterday. They were delicious. Followed your recipe exactly. My son and I both thought they tasted like they had been cooked for hours. Love your recipes. Thank you.
Hi Irene, Thank you so much! I’m happy to hear you and your son enjoyed them!
WOW! I had no idea air fryer ribs could be so tender!
So happy to hear this, Zoe! Air fryer pork ribs are the best!