Name: Reheat Ribs in the Air Fryer
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 pound leftover ribs (can use more or less)

It takes less than 10 minutes to reheat ribs in the air fryer for tender, hot, juicy meat that doesn’t get overcooked in the process!

Ribs reheated in air fryer on a plate with dipping sauce

Over the years, I’ve never perfected the art of cooking the right amount of ribs. I always seem to end up with at least a half (or sometimes a full) rack leftover.

But now that I know how easy it is to reheat ribs in the air fryer, I purposely make enough to have extras! It only takes a few minutes to warm them up, and the ribs turn out hot, juicy, and tender every time without overcooking the meat.

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

The easiest method for reheating ribs in the air fryer
The best way to store extra ribs
Different ways to enjoy leftover ribs
Tips for reheating prime rib in the air fryer

If you buy pre-cooked pork ribs, you can also use these steps to heat them up at home. You no longer have to slow cook the meat to keep it from drying out. Instead, you’ll have a delicious, hearty meal ready to enjoy in a matter of minutes!

What is the Best Way to Reheat Ribs

It’s probably no surprise that I think reheating ribs in the air fryer is the best option. It’s just so easy!

If you’ve ever tried warming up leftover ribs in the oven, then you know how tedious it can be. You have to heat them low and slow to keep them from getting too tough. If you’re like me, you’ve probably given up and eaten them cold more than once.

The air fryer, on the other hand, heats them up in less than 10 minutes! Plus, it keeps the bark on the outside nice and crispy while the meat on the inside stays tender, juicy, and oh-so-flavorful. How can you beat that?

Honestly, reheating food in the air fryer in general just tastes SO much better than any other method.

Air Fryer I recommend: Large, easy to clean, square basket, burner on top and bottom. Click to see it.

How to Reheat 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: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Lay the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

If reheating already sauced ribs, I recommended reheating the ribs in the air fryer with a silicone liner, parchment round, or air fryer pan for easy cleanup. You can even use an air fryer silicone basket that’s dishwasher safe too.

STEP THREE: Cook for about 5-7 minutes until warmed thoroughly.

How to Store Leftover Ribs

It’s up to you whether you want to slice the rack into individual ribs or just store the slab as-is. I recommend either placing your ribs in a gallon zipper bag or wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or foil.

You can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer for up to three months.

How Long Does It Take to Reheat Ribs in the Air Fryer?

That’s my favorite part about reheating pork ribs in the air fryer — it’s so fast! Depending on the thickness of your ribs, it will take between 5 and 7 minutes to heat all the way through.

ribs on cutting board to be reheated in air fryer

Tips for Reheating Prime Rib in the Air Fryer (And Other Ribs Too!)

BBQ ribs are usually made from baby back ribs, which are smaller than St. Louis-style spare ribs. Prime rib, which is a similar cut taken from a cow instead of a pig, will have even bigger ribs.

Larger ribs are going to take a bit longer to warm up. I also like to reheat them at a slightly lower temperature. To reheat prime rib in the air fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 270 degrees F.
Lay the prime rib in a single layer (use a parchment round or silicone liner if it’s sauced).
Cook for about 10 minutes.

Must-Try Air Fryer Rib Recipes:

Ideas for Leftover Ribs

Not in the mood to eat your ribs right off the bone? Lucky for you, there are so many ways to enjoy this tender cut of pork!

One of my favorite options is to cut the meat off the bone (it should fall off pretty easily), toss with some barbeque sauce, then grab a bun and make pulled pork sandwiches. Talk about delicious!

You could also make Mexican-inspired carnitas burrito bowls or tacos. Use the pork as your base, toss with a little salsa, then add your favorite toppings and dig in.

reheat ribs in single layer in air fryer

Can You Reheat Ribs Two Times?

In terms of safety, you can reheat leftover food as many times as you want within the window for eating it. For pork, that means you should eat it within four days, no matter how many times you reheat it.

However, the quality of the meat is going to decrease a little bit each time you heat it back up. That’s why I recommend only reheating as much as you plan to eat and putting the rest back in the refrigerator or freezer.

Other Foods To Reheat in the Air Fryer: