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air fried baby back ribs in basket

Easy Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs

Samantha Erb
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!
4.50 from 67 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 615 kcal

Equipment

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.

Video

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

Serving: 1Calories: 615kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 42gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 1510mgPotassium: 755mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 1021IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 3mg

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.

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