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Craving tender, smoky ribs without firing up the grill? These air fryer BBQ ribs are the answer. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to juicy perfection, they’re finished with a sticky layer of BBQ sauce for that sweet-savory flavor combo we all love. The air fryer handles everything with ease, making this an ideal recipe when you want barbecue flavor without a mess. Whether you’re serving these at a weekend get-together or just want a satisfying dinner, they’re guaranteed to be a hit.
Air fryer BBQ ribs are tender, flavorful and finished with a delicious sticky barbecue sauce. This easy recipe brings bold flavor to the table in no time.
If you’re a fan of air frying, why not also try these air fryer peach bourbon wings, air fryer onion rings, air fryer short ribs, or air fryer brats.
Why You’ll Love It
Bold flavor: The spice rub and barbecue glaze create layers of smoky, sweet and tangy flavor.
Easy to make: No need for a grill or smoker, and the air fryer keeps it simple.
Tender texture: The ribs come out juicy and soft with a perfectly caramelized finish.
Great for gatherings: These ribs are a hit at family meals, game days or weekend cookouts.
Air Fryer BBQ Ribs Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ribs: Pork ribs are ideal. Cut them in half or thirds for easier air frying.
Brown sugar: Brings sweetness and helps caramelize the meat surface.
Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin add bold, earthy flavor.
Seasonings: Salt and black pepper balance the rub and highlight the meat’s natural flavor.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds acidity and tang, helping to tenderize the ribs.
Liquid smoke: Brings that backyard barbecue taste without needing a grill.
Olive oil: Helps the seasoning mix stick and enhances browning.
BBQ sauce: Brushed on at the end for a sticky, flavorful finish.
How to Make BBQ Ribs in an Air Fryer
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the rub: Combine the brown sugar, spices, seasonings, vinegar, liquid smoke and oil in a bowl.
Season the ribs: Rub the mixture all over the ribs, covering all sides evenly.
Add to air fryer: Place the ribs inside the air fryer on the rack in a single layer.
Cook until done: Turn the ribs once during cooking for even browning.
Add barbecue sauce: Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and finish cooking for a sticky glaze.
Repeat if needed: Cook the second batch of ribs using the same steps.
Substitutions and Variations
Use a different protein: Try beef ribs or boneless pork instead of regular pork ribs.
Swap the BBQ sauce: Use a spicy, sweet or mustard-based BBQ sauce depending on your preference.
Adjust the seasoning: Add cayenne pepper for heat or extra garlic powder for a stronger kick.
Make it smokier: Increase the amount of liquid smoke slightly for a deeper smoky flavor.
Serving Suggestions
With hot sides: Consider mashed potatoes or polenta fries. Perhaps add some steamed broccoli, sautéed cabbage or smoked asparagus too.
With cold sides: Enjoy a macaroni salad or smashed potato salad. If you want, you can serve additional BBQ sauce on the side, although the ribs will be juicy and moist without it.
How to Store BBQ Ribs
Store: Store any leftover ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: The ribs can be reheated in the microwave or in the air fryer on the reheat setting.
Top Tips
Remove the membrane: Taking off the rib membrane ensures a more tender bite.
Preheat the air fryer: Starting with a hot air fryer helps create a better crust.
Don’t overcrowd: Cook ribs in batches so each one cooks evenly and crisps up well.
Different Types of Ribs
Short ribs, baby back ribs, and spare ribs are all cuts of meat from different sections of the rib cage. Wondering how to tell the difference? Well, this should help!
- Short ribs: Short ribs are cut from the lower portion of the rib cage, near the belly. They have meat on top of the bone and are usually sold in thick, rectangular shaped pieces. Short ribs are a tougher cut of meat and are often cooked low and slow to break down the connective tissue and make them tender.
- Baby back ribs: Baby back ribs are cut from the upper portion of the ribcage, near the spine. They are shorter and smaller than spare ribs and have meat between the bones and on top of them. Baby back ribs are a leaner cut of meat than spare ribs and are often considered more tender and flavorful, too. They are typically cooked faster than spare ribs.
- Spare ribs: Spare ribs come from the belly area and are larger and flatter than baby back ribs. They have meat between the bones and on top of them, and they also have a higher fat content than baby back ribs. Spare ribs are usually less expensive than baby back ribs and are often cooked low and slow to make them tender. They are often meatier than baby back ribs and are a popular choice for barbecuing.
All ribs are delicious and the differences come down to the location of the cut, and the amount of meat and fat.
Air Fryer Ribs FAQs
Yes! Not only can you cook ribs in an air fryer but you can trim the carb count right down. First swap the brown sugar in the recipe for Truvia Brown or your preferred keto sweetener. Also, use sugar-free BBQ sauce rather than the regular sugary kind. The G Hughes brand has a good one with 1 or 2 carbs a serving.
The bone side of the ribs should be facing up for the first 8 to 10 minutes. Then for the last half, you flip the ribs over and cook them with the bone side down. This allows for even cooking.
No, you don’t need to cover the ribs or put any parchment paper underneath them. The air fryer circulates air around the food in order to cook it evenly.
Easy Ribs in Air Fryer Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Ribs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds ribs, membrane removed, cut in half or thirds
- 1/3 Cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 Teaspoon liquid smoke
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 Cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke and olive oil. Brush or spread it evenly over the entire rack of ribs.
- Make sure the rack is in the bottom of the air fryer pot. Place one rack of ribs flat on the rack and put in the air fryer.
- Heat the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook one side for 8 minutes. Flip the ribs and cook for another 8 minutes.
- Check for doneness near a bone. If the meat isn’t completely cooked through, cook an extra 2 to 3 minutes.
- Brush the cooked ribs with BBQ sauce. You can cook for another minute.
- Remove and cook the second rack of ribs.
Notes
Preheat the air fryer: Starting with a hot air fryer helps create a better crust.
Don’t overcrowd: Cook ribs in batches so each one cooks evenly and crisps up well.
Nutrition
If you’re craving ribs that are easy to make and packed with flavor, air fryer BBQ ribs with the best dry rib rub are the answer. The spice rub adds complexity, while the BBQ sauce gives that sticky finish everyone loves. With simple prep and easy cleanup, this recipe is one you’ll turn to again and again for satisfying barbecue at home.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I would like to make this great-looking recipe but has anyone made it with frozen ribs? What changes would I have to make? Thanks!
You could try giving them 10 minutes at 320°F to help them thaw out and then adding the seasonings and continuing with the recipe. However, for food safety reasons and to ensure they’re cooked all the way through, I’d recommend you thaw them in the fridge overnight first, then cook from thawed.
The way the ribs glisten is beyond me. My family will love this!
My family enjoyed this ribs recipe so much, they’ve been asking me to make it again.
I’m so happy I tried this yesterday and my in-laws loved it too! Will make this again for my mom and dad soon!
I used this recipe. It was fantastic for the two of us. However, I feel a smoker, or a BBQ would do justice to this recipe if you were cooking a couple of rakes or more. The taste was amazing, and it had enough tug to get a nice clean bite of meat off the bone.
So glad you liked it and oh yes I agree, if the weather’s up to it then these would come out great in the smoker!
I’m so pleased with how these came out. So succulent and tasty.
What can I say about these ribs? WOW!!! Wouldn’t change a thing but did double the rub and was glad I did. as I used it all for the 4 lbs. Thanks so much for the recipe.
These look so good! Can’t wait to try them.