Delight in flavor-packed air fryer baby back ribs, coated in a homemade dry spice rub. Pair this savory dish with the upbeat vibes of Amerie's "1 Thing," creating a culinary symphony of bold flavors and irresistible aromas.
Related Ribs Recipe Posts:
Air fryer ribs don't automatically come to mind when I think of foods that would be great cooked in an air fryer. However, these ribs are surprisingly really really good and you can have them on a weeknight in a fraction of the time it would take you to cook them outdoors or in the oven.
These ribs ain't smoky like ribs cooked on the grill so let's be real about expectations. Nor do they have that artificial smoke flavor from liquid smoke. Instead, there is a mild natural smoky flavor thanks to a few ingredients in the spice rub.
More importantly than smokiness, these air fryer ribs are juicy with a nice exterior crust that is both extra delicious and a fun chewing experience.
These are dry rub ribs meaning there is no sauce added to these tender baby back ribs. The rub is complex and full of flavor.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with air fryer ribs)
Amerie's "1 Thing" is a dope uptempo track with a simple but awesome hook. The beat is a banger and the lyrics match it well. This is very similar to how the rib rub works well with the baby backs.
The song pairs exceptionally well with air fryer ribs due to its upbeat tempo and energetic vibes. Just like the lively rhythm of the song, the delicious flavors and mouthwatering aroma of the ribs create a perfect harmony for a delightful dining experience.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Air Fryer Ribs Recipe
For the Ribs
- Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs
For the Brine
- Water
- Apple juice
- Brown sugar
- Cinnamon sticks
- Black peppercorns
- Whole pimento seeds
- Whole nutmeg
- Kosher Salt
- Bay leaf
For the Homemade Dry Rub
- Smoked Paprika
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Black Pepper
- Cocao Powder
- Ground Cinnamon
- Kosher Salt
- Smoked Sea Salt
- Korean Chili Flakes (red pepper flakes or aleppo pepper can be substituted)
How To Make Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs (Step by Step)
Step 1: Brine the Ribs
Mix the brine ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the brining liquid to a saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil then reduce to a simmer cooking for 10 minutes then allow to cool. Once cool, place the ribs in a large ziplock back, add the brine, and marinate the ribs overnight.
Step 2: Season The Ribs
Mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.
Season the slab of baby back ribs with the bbq spice rub, covering both the front and back of the ribs. Coat lightly with cooking spray (optional). Set aside.
Step 3: Air Fry The Ribs
Pre-heat the air fryer to 380 degrees F for a few minutes. Then place the pork ribs in the air fryer basket, meat side down and cook ribs for 15 minutes.
Once the 15 minutes are up, grab a pair of tongs and flip the ribs over, and cook for an additional 8 minutes still at 380 degrees. Using a meat thermometer to check for doneness, you'll want to cook pork ribs to an internal temperature of 190-195 degrees.
Optional Step: If you prefer sauced ribs, using your favorite bbq sauce brush the sauce on the ribs and then cook in the air fryer for another 2 minutes.
Remove the ribs and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Feel free to cover with additional bbq sauce if you like saucy ribs or sprinkle more of the dry rub on them. If cooking both halves of ribs repeat for the other half rack.
What to Serve With These Ribs
Here are some delicious sides that pair well with air fryer ribs:
- Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn with butter and herbs.
- Coleslaw: Creamy or vinegar-based coleslaw for a refreshing crunch.
- Potato Salad: Creamy or tangy potato salad with herbs and crunchy vegetables.
- Baked Beans: Classic BBQ-style baked beans with bacon or vegetarian version.
- Grilled Vegetables: Seasonal vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy mac and cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- Green Salad: Fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing for a lighter option.
- Fruit Salad: Refreshing fruit salad with a mix of seasonal fruits.
- Cornbread: Moist and fluffy cornbread to complement the ribs.
These sides will add variety and balance to your air fryer ribs meal, making it a satisfying and delicious dining experience.
Cooking Considerations and Tips For Achieving The Best Ribs
Don't skip the brine step. It's the key to deep interior flavor as well as extra tender ribs.
Depending on the size of your air fryer basket and/or the ribs you may need to cut the ribs in half to fit.
Dry the ribs with a paper towel after brining and before you apply the dry rub.
The key to this easy recipe is the dry rub. Apply it liberally! The smoked paprika and the smoked sea salt help replicate the smokiness. If you can find Korean chili flakes they're definitely worth it. I've noticed them more frequently in mainstream grocery stores in the international aisle. They are a good alternative to chili powder, and also adds some texture.
Allow the ribs time to reach room temperature before cooking. This will make sure the ribs cook evenly.
Cooking time will vary depending on the the size of the ribs and the amount of fat on the rack of ribs. Thicker, fatter ribs will take a bit longer so you'll need to adjust and perhaps take a few sneak peaks. Also, the brine sugar in the rub could burn some during cooking. This is actually a good thing to a certain extent but too much becomes a big problem.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some substitutions and variations you can try for air fryer ribs with a homemade spice rub:
- Spice Blend: Experiment with different spice blends such as Cajun seasoning, BBQ rub, or Asian-inspired spices for unique flavor profiles.
- Herbs: Add fresh or dried herbs like thyme or cilantro to enhance the herbaceous notes in the rub.
- Heat Level: Adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne pepper, chili powder, or paprika to suit your spice preferences.
- Marinade: Before applying the spice rub, marinate the ribs in a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onion powder for added depth of flavor.
- Glaze: Brush the ribs with a glaze made of your favorite BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or teriyaki sauce during the cooking process for a sticky and flavorful finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cooking Ribs in an Air Fryer
Does this recipe work for other types of ribs?
Sure does! Pork spare ribs and country-style ribs both are good options. If using the latter, not cook times will vary a lot depending on whether the ribs have bones or not. If using spare ribs go for St. Louis style ribs. These are trimmed in a way to make it easier to fit into the basket fully. I would not try this with beef ribs as the need a much longer cook time to get to tenderness.
Do I need to remove the membrane from the back of the ribs?
It's not necessary, but you can. I find it's a personal choice. If you research ribs you'll find strong opinions for either side. I'm not that guy. I've tried them both ways and unless you're a bbq rib nerd/snob you likely won't notice the difference.
What do you serve with air fryer ribs?
I'm old school, i.e. I like my ribs with Southern potato salad, collard greens slaw, and baked beans with no sauce. If you're gonna go with a sauce I like a good chipotle bbq sauce or even a jerk bbq sauce.
What can I do with leftover ribs?
These ribs are so good there likely will not be any leftovers, but in the event that you do enjoy cold ribs. However, if you must re-heat them do so at a lower temperature around 250 degrees.
What type of air fryer do you use?
I use an 8-quart NuWave front loading fryer. It's sleek, easily storable, has more than enough capacity, and is easy to load.
For other air fryer recipes try these:
For other rib recipes try these:
Make This Ribs Recipe
Air fryer ribs with a homemade dry spice rub are a fantastic way to enjoy tender, flavorful ribs with a crispy exterior. The air fryer's rapid cooking method ensures juicy and succulent meat, while the dry spice rub adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a backyard barbecue, these ribs are sure to impress with their delicious taste and hassle-free cooking process. Enjoy the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and spicy flavors in every bite!
If you make this great air fryer ribs recipe or any other from the site, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.
You can also keep up with my food exploits as well as original recipes! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated monthly playlists.
Lastly, go to my YouTube channel and subscribe to be notified when new weekly videos are uploaded.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Ribs
- 1 Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs
For the Brine
- 3 cups Water
- 1 ½ cups Apple juice
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoon Black peppercorns
- 4-5 Whole pimento seeds
- 1 Whole nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Bay leaf
For the Homemade Dry Rub
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Cocoa Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Smoked Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon Korean Chili Flakes
Instructions
Step 1: Brine the Ribs
- Mix the brine ingredients together in a large bowl. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the brining liquid to a saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil then reduce to a simmer cooking for 10 minutes then allow to cool. Once cool, place the ribs in a large ziplock back, add the brine, and marinate the ribs overnight.
Step 2: Season The Ribs
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl and set aside.
- Season the slab of baby back ribs with the bbq spice rub, covering both the front and back of the ribs. Set aside.
Step 3: Air Fry The Ribs
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 380 degrees F for a few minutes. Then place the pork ribs in the air fryer basket, meat side down and cook for 15 minutes.
- Once the 15 minutes are up, grab a pair of tongs and flip the ribs over, and cook for an additional 8 minutes still at 380 degrees.
- Optional Step: If you prefer sauced ribs, using your favorite bbq sauce brush the sauce on the ribs and then cook in the air fryer for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the ribs and allow them to rest for a few minutes. Feel free to cover with additional bbq sauce if you like saucy ribs or sprinkle more of the dry rub on them. If cooking both halves of ribs repeat for the other half rack.
Video
