Easy Air Fryer Short Ribs

These Korean-style air fryer short ribs are juicy, flavorful, and cook in under 20 minutes! Whether you call them kalbi, Korean BBQ ribs, or just air fry short ribs, they’re a crowd-pleasing favorite made effortless in the air fryer.

Craving Korean BBQ without firing up the grill? This easy air fryer short ribs recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.

Using a delicious soy-garlic marinade, these Korean short ribs cook fast, turn out tender, and are bursting with bold, savory flavor.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, or whenever that craving hits.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• No grill required — just your air fryer!
• Bold, classic Korean BBQ flavors in every bite.
• Cooks in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
• Perfectly caramelized, crispy edges with juicy centers.
• Ideal for meal prep, parties, or quick family dinners.

Ingredients Needed

• Beef short ribs (flanken cut) – Thin-cut ribs with rich, meaty texture.
• Soy sauce – Salty and savory base for traditional kalbi flavor.
• Brown sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness and helps caramelize.
• Garlic (minced) – Infuses the ribs with bold, garlicky flavor.
• Ginger (grated or paste) – Adds warmth and authentic depth.
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional) – Adds some heat.

How To Make Korean Short Ribs in the Air Fryer

Step One – In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ground ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add the short ribs and marinate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).

Preheat the air fryer – Set your air fryer temperature to 400 degrees F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Cook the ribs – Arrange marinated short ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set cook time for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until caramelized and slightly crispy on the edges.

Garnish and serve – Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Tips for Making Air Fryer Korean Short Ribs

• Marinate overnight for the best depth of flavor.
• Use flanken-cut ribs for quick, even cooking.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed.
• Brush extra marinade on during cooking for added flavor.
• Let the ribs rest a few minutes after cooking before serving.

Storing And Reheating Instructions

• Storing: Store any leftover Korean short ribs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating Instructions: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and edges crisp again.

What To Serve With Korean Air Fryer Short Ribs

These air fryer kalbi ribs pair perfectly with steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up all the delicious sauce. Add a side of kimchi, pickled vegetables, or a quick cucumber salad for a refreshing contrast. Want something more filling? Serve with air-fried veggies, garlic noodles, or even tucked into lettuce wraps with gochujang and rice for a Korean-style ssam experience.

Korean Short Ribs Air Fryer FAQs

Can I use boneless short ribs? Yes! Just adjust the cooking time slightly, since boneless ribs may be thicker and need a few extra minutes.

Do I need to flip the ribs in the air fryer? Flipping halfway through helps both sides caramelize evenly and prevents sticking.

Can I freeze Korean short ribs? Absolutely—freeze marinated raw rib in a freezer bag, or cooked leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

What kind of air fryer works best? Any air fryer model works, but one with a larger basket (like Ninja or Cosori) allows more ribs to cook at once.

Is this the same as galbi or kalbi? Yes—kalbi (or galbi) refers to Korean-style marinated short ribs, usually flanken cut and grilled or air-fried.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER MUSHROOM & SWISS BURGERS
• NINJA FOODI GRILL STEAK
• HOW TO MAKE MEATLOAF IN YOUR AIR FRYER
• AIR FRYER-HERBED LAMB CHOPS

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