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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

    Posted: Jun 18, 2021 · Updated: May 24, 2024 by Sara · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Air Fryer BBQ Ribs - Tender and juicy ribs slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce and crisped to perfection in an air fryer.

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    I personally don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good stack of ribs - especially Dads! And with Father's Day this Sunday, our husbands and dads should be able to take a break from the grill, sit back, relax and let us surprise them with amazing food they'll truly love! 

    So, that's why today I'm sharing a recipe for BBQ Ribs made right in the air fryer or Ninja Foodi. They're just as delicious, tender and juicy as if you would make them on the grill, but in my opinion, they're easier and quicker to prepare!😉

    HOW TO MAKE BBQ RIBS IN THE AIR FRYER

    To make these mouth-watering ribs, you'll need:

    • St. Louis-style spare ribs
    • BBQ sauce
    • Garlic powder
    • Salt & pepper

    Once you have your ingredients together, combine the garlic powder, salt and pepper and season both sides of the rack of ribs.

    Rack of ribs with salt and pepper

    Then, place the ribs in the greased air fryer basket.

    rack of ribs in air fryer basket

    Air fry at 400º Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping the ribs halfway through.

    cooked rack of ribs in air fryer basket

    Once the ribs are fully cooked, you are going to brush them generously with BBQ sauce.

    WHAT KIND OF BBQ SAUCE SHOULD I USE?

    I personally love Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, but, you can choose any BBQ sauce you desire.  

    brushing BBQ sauce on ribs in air fryer

    Cook the ribs for 3 more minutes and voila! Look at those mouth-watering ribs!

    BBQ ribs in the air fryer

    Go ahead and brush the ribs with a little more BBQ sauce and serve immediately.

    brushing rack of ribs with BBQ sauce

    DO I HAVE TO REMOVE THE MEMBRANE FROM THE RIBS?

    This recipe uses St. Louis-style spare ribs and when it comes to St. Louis-style spare ribs, removing the membrane becomes more optional than mandatory.

    I usually don't remove the membrane but if you insist on doing so, have at it.

    HOW TO REMOVE THE MEMBRANE FROM A RACK OF RIBS

    To remove the membrane, flip the ribs so they curve toward you. Look towards the edges of the ribs and locate the edge of the long, thin white layer of tissue.

    Pull up gently on an edge and slide a knife across the underside of the membrane, loosening it from the ribs. The membrane should separate easily and you should be able to pull it off in one piece.

    Cut rack of ribs on a cutting board

    DO I HAVE TO CUT THE RACK OF RIBS IN HALF?

    It all depends on how large your rack of ribs is. If the rack is too long you will need to cut the rack in half to fit in the air fryer.

    holding piece of BBQ ribs

    HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?

    I highly doubt you will have any leftovers, but if you do, you can place your leftover ribs in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Cooked ribs will keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. 

    hand holding up a saucy riblet

    CAN I FREEZE LEFTOVER RIBS?

    Yes, you can freeze your ribs for a later day. In fact, if you store them in freezer containers or bags, they will last for about 3 to 4 months in the freezer.

    However, if you vacuum seal them, you can keep them for even longer. 

    piece of BBQ ribs with sauce on them

    LOOKING FOR MORE MAIN COURSE AIR FRYER RECIPES?

    • Steak
    • Dill Pickle Chicken
    • Brown Sugar Salmon
    • Turkey Breast
    • Burgers
    • Pot Roast
    • Parmesan Shrimp
    • Pork Chops

    BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR AIR FRYER FACEBOOK GROUP!

    To become part of our Air Fryer Easy Recipes community on Facebook, you can request to join here. 

    hand holding up a saucy riblet

    Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

    Tender and juicy ribs slathered in your favorite BBQ sauce and crisped to perfection in an air fryer.
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    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 30 minutes mins
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 87kcal
    Author: Sara
    adjust servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 2 pound rack of St. Louis-style spare ribs
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite sauce)
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine the garlic powder, salt and pepper and season both sides of the rack of ribs. Place it in a greased air fryer basket.
    • Air fry at 400º Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping the ribs halfway through.
    • Generously brush ribs with BBQ sauce and cook for 3 more minutes.
    • Brush with more BBQ sauce and serve immediately.

    Notes

    • I like to use Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, but feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce. 
    • You don’t have to cut your ribs in half, but if the rack is too long, you will have to cut them in half to fit in the air fryer. 
    • Leftover cooked ribs will keep in the fridge for up to four days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 1267mg | Potassium: 131mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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    Sara Zenner, blogger at Bitz N Giggles

    welcome!

    Hey, I’m Sara!

     Born and raised in Wisconsin, where family and fun are at the heart of it all - I inherited a deep appreciation for home cooking and family traditions. I’m all about quick and easy recipes, tidying up, and laid back “up north” living.

    Read more!

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