Growing up, the only ribs I ever ate were my Uncle Jim’s barbecued ribs. I was trying to order ribs at a restaurant, but nothing came close to his recipe. Now, when summer comes, I want to smell the smell of its freshly grilled ribs. But with my fairly poor cooking skills and access to a single, unreliable grill shared by my entire apartment complex, I haven’t had success trying to cook ribs at home. When I learned that there were much simpler methods for making ribs with an air fryer, I knew I had to investigate.
It’s true: You can make delicious air fryer ribs that still fall off the bone. And for people like me who don’t have much confidence in cooking ribs or meat in general, the air fryer can be a perfect solution. In fact, not only can you prepare ribs, but you can also prepare things like bacon, fried chicken, pork chops, and even turkey in the air fryer. This appliance is much easier to use than trying to grill something outside, and it’s perfect for people who want to grill or fry something but don’t have the space or tools to do so .
The air fryer also has the unique benefit of creating a crispy, deep-frying-like texture on the food it cooks while retaining moisture inside. This makes it the perfect appliance for many types of meat and can help people meet their health goals because it doesn’t require the heavy use of oils like a regular deep fryer would.
To learn more about how to cook perfect, boneless ribs in the air fryer, we chatted with Chef Chris Nirschel, who gave us an easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipe. Read on, then check out the 10 Best Trader Joe’s Foods for Your Air Fryer.
1. Gather your ingredients
You don’t need a lot of ingredients! If you have an air fryer, ribs, and your favorite sauce and seasoning, you can have air fried ribs.
Before you begin, Nirschel says to set aside the following:
- A rack of pork ribs
- BBQ seasoning or dry rub
- Barbecue sauce
- Olive oil (optional for brushing)
2. Prepare the ribs for seasoning
Ribs naturally have what is called a membrane, a piece of tissue that you can find at the bottom of the rack of ribs. You might assume that you should leave this on when cooking ribs (the same way you might leave the skin on when cooking meat), but the membrane cooks differently than the skin. Instead of becoming soft or crunchy, the membrane becomes chewy when you cook it.
Nirschel advises removing the membrane before cooking or seasoning your ribs, “which will help the seasoning penetrate the meat better and make the ribs more tender.” You can remove the membrane by sliding your finger underneath a few inches and slowly pulling the rest out.
Once you’ve removed it, Nirshcel recommends drying the ribs with paper towels before applying your seasoning.
3. Apply seasoning
Now is the time to season your ribs before cooking them. You can use any of your favorite dry or pre-made seasonings or create your own blend using some of the spices you have on hand in your kitchen.
Nirschel says that once you’ve chosen your seasoning, “you can generously rub the ribs with your favorite barbecue seasoning or dry rub, and make sure to coat both sides evenly.”
For maximum flavor, Nirschel suggests “letting the seasoned ribs sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight, which allows the seasoning to penetrate the meat.”
4. Preheat the air fryer and cook your ribs
Chef Nirschel says one of the keys to cooking ribs in the air fryer is keeping the temperature low enough. “Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees. This lower temperature will help cook the ribs low and slow, resulting in tender meat.”
Once your air fryer is preheated, place the ribs in the basket with the meatier side facing up.
You’ll want to cook the ribs at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes. “This initial cooking period helps render some of the fat and start the tenderizing process,” says Nirschel.
“After 30 minutes, increase the temperature to 350 degrees and continue cooking for another 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the ribs to avoid burning.”
Although it’s not necessary, Nirschel suggests brushing your ribs with olive oil halfway through cooking, which can help crisp them up as they cook.
5. Apply barbecue sauce
The final step in cooking your ribs in the air fryer is to add a little barbecue sauce for added flavor.
“Once the ribs are cooked through and starting to get crispy on the outside, brush them with your favorite barbecue sauce,” says Nirschel. “Return the ribs to the fryer and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the sauce is caramelized and the ribs are nicely glazed.”
6. Rest and serve
When your ribs are fully cooked and ready, you can remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them. “Then serve the ribs hot with additional barbecue sauce on the side,” advises Nirschel. Ribs pair well with all the classic barbecue sides: corn, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, green beans, and baked beans all make the perfect complement to your air fryer ribs. air.
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