Easy Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

4.52 from 70 votes

Air fryer baby back ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender in little time! I use a flavorful dry rub and BBQ sauce for the best flavor!

Prep Time10

Cook Time35

Total Time50

Course: Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 615kcal

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.

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.