Once you’ve made these easy, dry-rubbed, and sauced sticky, smoky pork ribs in the air fryer, it will become your new favorite way to make them. This simple cooking method produces great BBQ flavor in your kitchen using simple ingredients. This easy air fryer ribs recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. With fall-off-the-bone meatiness and thick, sticky, sweet, homemade, smoky barbecue sauce, it’s a winning combination for your dinner table any time of the year, not just in summer.
I love making ribs easier than the traditional BBQ way, and this amazing air fryer ribs recipe makes enough to easily feed four adults. You may think that cooking ribs in the air fryer would dry them out, but because we wrap them in aluminum foil, they stay juicy and tender. The dry rub infuses the rich pork with great flavor, and then we sauce the heck out of them, making them the best ribs. You may want a bib for this rib fest!
It’s important to note the differences between spare ribs and baby back ribs. Baby back ribs are smaller and more curved than spare ribs. They cook faster than the traditional back of ribs, so you would need to adjust the cooking time.
If you love BBQ flavor inside the house, try our cast iron grill pan double burger with queso.
Why You Will Love This Rack Of Ribs Recipe.
Convenient and Easy: Using the Ninja Foodi air fryer simplifies the cooking process, eliminating the need for an oven or outdoor grill. Follow the few easy steps and have delicious, tender air fryer pork ribs with minimal effort and mess. This is the best way to cook ribs for busy cooks or those with limited kitchen space.
Flavorful and Smoky: The combination of a well-balanced dry rub and homemade BBQ sauce ensures the ribs burst with layers of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. Using chipotle powder and liquid smoke gives the ribs an authentic BBQ taste that will satisfy any craving for classic smoky ribs.
Versatile and Year-Round: This recipe allows you to enjoy perfectly cooked ribs anytime, regardless of the weather. Whether it’s a summer barbecue or a cozy winter dinner, these ribs are a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, bringing the taste of outdoor grilling indoors.
Let’s Get Started Making the Air Fryer BBQ Ribs.
To begin, head off to the grocery store. Here, choose a package of two rib sections that aren’t overly fatty. The pork fat is unhealthy and needs to be removed, so look for leaner cuts. Once you’ve settled on the ribs, head back home. Mix the dry rub before the ribs are semi-freezing. We want to semi-freeze the ribs to make removing the membrane easier. If you forgot to do this step, don’t panic; you can still remove it, but it’s much more slippery.
In a small bowl, measure and add the spices. The chipotle powder is a smokier addition to the dry rub, enhancing the end flavor, so be sure to find this spice if you don’t already have it in your spice cupboard. A simple mixture of regular paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper is blended with the chipotle powder to make up the rub. Set that aside to work with the ribs.
If this is your first time making ribs you can use the following method easily to get the ribs ready for cooking. After removing the ribs from the package, lay them on a clean cutting board, with the back of the ribs facing yourself. Using a regular spoon work one edge of the thin membrane from the ribs. Once you have a small section lifted, it’s simple to pull it off in one piece. If it rips partway through removal, simply work another edge up using your spoon.
Why the heck are we doing this step? This membrane will prevent spices from penetrating the ribs properly. Plus, the membrane is tough and chewy when cooked, making for an unpleasant experience. So, it must be removed. There is nothing to remove from the front side of the ribs. So, we are good to cut the ribs now.
Using a sharp knife, insert it between the rib bones, cutting the racks into two to three bone sections. This shorter rib is then rubbed in the dry rub to coat every surface thoroughly. This allows for more flavor in each section of meat and makes it easy to pick up and eat. Cutting the meat into smaller sections also makes it easier to fill the air fryer baskets.
Using heavy aluminum foil, lay two to three rib sections that have been dry rubbed and wrap tightly to seal. You will continue until all ribs are wrapped and ready to enter the air fryer. Usually, when adding meats to the air fryer, we lay them in a single layer in the basket. This time, though, we will be standing the packets on their sides, lying on each other. The slow cooking will allow us to pause and flip the packets so that the upper edge isn’t facing the element the entire time it’s roasting.
With your Ninja Foodi, setting the air fryer baskets to roast at 275°F for 3 hours is easy. Now, you can go put your feet up for a bit or finish the laundry. Come back to the kitchen before the 3 hours are complete to make the homemade BBQ sauce.
To make the smoky BBQ sauce, you will need a small saucepan. Add the ingredients and cook medium-high until the brown sugar has dissolved completely. Then, using tongs, remove the ribs from the air fryer baskets to a plate. Carefully open the very hot and steamy packets to reveal the cooked ribs.
We will now lift each section, one at a time, and roll in the BBQ sauce directly in the saucepan. Then, lay the ribs back into the air fryer baskets. Once all have been coated in BBQ sauce, close the air fryer and set to roast at 375°F for three minutes. Pause, recoat using a basting brush and your tongs, and cook for three more minutes before removing and serving on a plate for dinner.
If you’re not finished with dinner, the ribs will stay warm in the air fryer for a while, or you can cover them on a plate with fresh tinfoil. They are saucy and sticky, so have napkins ready for hungry diners.
This easy cooking method for sticky ribs eliminates the need for turning on your oven and owning an outdoor grill. Plus, this amazing air-fried ribs recipe makes a delicious meal any time of the year, so enjoy!
Ingredients:
2 Racks Spare Ribs: The spare ribs provide a rich and meaty foundation for the dish, beautifully absorbing the flavors of the rub and sauce.
Paprika: Adds a mild sweetness and a vibrant color to the dry rub, enhancing the visual appeal and depth of flavor.
Brown Sugar: Used in the dry rub and sauce, it adds a sweet, caramelized flavor that balances the smokiness and heat.
Chipotle Powder: This ingredient imparts a smoky, spicy kick that complements the other spices and enhances the overall taste.
Garlic Powder: This spice enriches the overall flavor by adding a savory depth and aromatic quality to the rub and the sauce.
Black Pepper: Infuses the dry rub with a subtle heat and sharpness, balancing the sweetness and enhancing the savory notes.
Ketchup: This is the base of the sauce, providing a tangy sweetness that melds with the other ingredients.
Tomato Paste: Brings a concentrated tomato flavor and thickens the BBQ sauce, giving it a rich consistency.
Liquid Smoke: Imparts the smoky flavor, giving the ribs an authentic BBQ taste even without a grill.
Substitutions And Add-Ins For This Easy Recipe:
2 Racks Spare Ribs: None
Paprika: Use smoked paprika for an extra layer of smokiness or sweet paprika for a milder taste.
Brown Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar or molasses for a different sweetness profile.
Chipotle Powder: Use smoked paprika or ancho chili powder for a milder smoky flavor.
Garlic Powder: Substitute with minced fresh or granulated garlic for a slightly different texture and intensity.
Black Pepper: Use white pepper for a milder, more subtle heat or cayenne pepper for added spiciness.
Ketchup: For a less processed option, substitute tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes with a bit of added sugar.
Tomato Paste: Use tomato puree or a double concentration of tomato sauce, cooking it to thicken.
Liquid Smoke: None (can omit if using molasses).
Don’t feel like making your own BBQ sauce from scratch? That’s okay. Follow the cooking instructions for the dry-rubbed ribs, and use your favorite BBQ sauce from the store. Enjoy saucy air-fried pork ribs tonight. For best results, remember to follow the cooking time so that your BBQ sauce doesn’t burn, as it wants to do with the high sugar content.
Expert Tips, Serving, And Storing Suggestions For These Ribs:
Tip #1: Thoroughly Coat Ribs: Rub each rib section entirely with the spice rub before cooking in the air fryer. This ensures that the meat is cooked with more flavor.
Tip #2: Wrap the ribs in foil tightly. This keeps the meat’s juices in the packets, preventing it from drying out while roasting.
Tip #3: Use plenty of that delicious smoky sauce. Be sure to brush it on thick and repeat before serving.
Serve these sticky, smoky pork ribs hot from the air fryer with plenty of napkins for the saucy goodness. Pair them with your favorite side dishes like coleslaw or baked beans. Enjoy the tender, flavorful ribs with family and friends any time of the year.
To store leftover ribs, wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warm. For proper food safety, pork should be reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
If you love air fryer recipes, stick around. We will be bringing you more throughout the year! From sweet air fryer desserts like apple cinnamon biscuit rolls to easy entrees. Air fryer cooking is a great way to reduce your electric bill, too, as ovens tend to suck up a lot of power.
Did you love the sticky, smoky pork ribs recipe? Please rate and share your thoughts in the comments below! Your feedback helps us create more delicious recipes and inspires others to try them.
Sticky Smokey BBQ Pork Ribs In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Or other air fryer cook time may vary.
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Cutting board
- spoon
- knife
- Aluminum Foil
- measuring cup
- Tablespoon
- Teaspoon
- Tongs
- Plate
- Saucepan
- Basting Brush
Ingredients
- 2 Sparerib Racks Cut Into Sections, Membrane Removed
Dry Rub Mixture
- ¼ Cup Paprika
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ Tsp Chipotle Powder
- ¾ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
BBQ Sauce
- 1 Cup Ketchup
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- ¼ Cup Tomato Paste
- 3 Tbsp Liquid Smoke Hickory Flavored
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
Instructions
Preparing Ribs
- Semi-freeze the package of ribs for half an hour. This makes removing membrane easier as it will be less slippery.2 Sparerib Racks
- Remove ribs from package lay back side up on clean cutting board.
- Using spoon carefully lift the edge of the thin membrane and pull using your hands.
- Repeat as needed until the whole membrane is gone.
- Trim with knife excess fat from ribs.
- Using knife cut between two or three bone sections.
Making Dry Rub
- In small mixing bowl add all the dry rub ingredients and blend well.¼ Cup Paprika, ¼ Cup Brown Sugar, ½ Tsp Chipotle Powder, ¾ Tsp Garlic Powder, ½ Tsp Black Pepper
Preparing Ribs For Fryer
- Take each section of ribs one at a time and coat thoroughly in dry rub.2 Sparerib Racks
- Lay two to three rib sections on a piece of foil and then seal.
- Once all pieces are sealed stand the foil packets in the air fryer basket on their edge.
- Close air fryer baskets and set air fryer to roast for 3 hours at 275F
- Pause the air fryer after an hour and half and using tongs flip over.
- Continue to cook until time is up.
Making BBQ Sauce
- Add all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce to a medium sized saucepan and cook until the brown sugar is fully dissolved.1 Cup Ketchup, 1 Cup Brown Sugar, ¼ Cup Tomato Paste, 3 Tbsp Liquid Smoke, 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
Coating The Ribs To Finish
- Open air fryer and use tongs to remove the packets to a plate.
- Carefully open each packet to remove rib sections one at a time.
- Working one at a time place ribs into the bbq sauce in the sauce pan to completely coat.
- Lift and return to the air fryer baskets.
- Close air fryer and set to roast at 375F for three minutes.
- Open and sauce using a basting brush.
- Flip the ribs and sauce again.
- Close and cook for three minutes more.
- Remove from air fryer and serve.
