If you are looking for a simple and easy yet delicious recipe for those busy family weeknights, then this air fryer baby back ribs recipe might just be up your street.
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes as it’s so quick to get together. While traditional ribs are cooked slowly in the oven to get the right flavor, you can get great results with much less time preparation using the air fryer. It can be as basic as buying a pack of bbq ribs and your favorite BBQ sauce. Easy, fast, and satisfying.
Just a note, these ribs are fully cooked when you purchase them. So, if you are using uncooked ribs, you really need to cook them longer.
This recipe will work for any packaged ribs you find in the grocery store including, Lloyd’s, Plumrose, Jack Daniel’s, etc.
What Are Baby Back Ribs?
Baby back ribs are also known as back ribs, or loin ribs, baby back ribs are one of the most popular cuts of ribs! The only reason they are called baby back ribs is that they come from baby pigs, rather than fully matured pigs!
Why Cook Baby Back Ribs In The Air Fryer
The truth is that they are amazing! Not only are they easy to cook, and quick, but they are also absolutely delicious!
And with only cleaning the air fryer basket, clean-up is a breeze.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs
With only a few ingredients, you can have a great recipe for baby back ribs, that taste like they have been cooked all day, in the slow cooker. Only you and I will know that they took mere minutes! Here is what you need!
- Baby Back Ribs: Make sure that you choose a package of ribs that will easily fit into the air fryer basket. Of course, if you can’t find a package, use a knife and trim them to fit your air fryer basket!
- Seasonings/Spices: Salt and Balck Pepper, you can also use a spice rub. I love using BBQ Seasoning Rub for this recipe!
- Liquid smoke: This will add so much flavor, and give you the
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce, for later over, and of course to serve with your baby back ribs!
How To Cook Baby Back Ribs Air Fryer
Start by patting the ribs down with a paper towel, then add the salt, pepper, BBQ seasoning, and liquid smoke. After you rub it into the ribs, leave for about 5 minutes. Rub the BBQ Sauce over the rib. Covering both the top and the bottom of the ribs. Place the ribs into the air fryer basket.
How Long To Cook Baby Back Ribs In The Air Fryer
Set the time for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F, and then flip them for another 7-10 minutes. Baste the ribs with additional BBQ Sauce. Check the internal temperature of the ribs, they should be at 145 degrees F.
Pro Tips For The Best Air Fried Baby Back Ribs
- Timing: The timing of the recipe will be different depending on whether you have bought already cooked or raw baby back ribs. Already cooked ribs will be about half the cook time of raw ribs, however, this is still dependent on the size and thickness of the ribs you are cooking.
- Internal Temperature of Baby Back Ribs: t’s always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your ribs before you’re finished cooking. Pork should reach at least 145℉ however for really tender results cook them until 165℉ to 195℉.
- Make sure that you have all of the equipment you need for your air fryer before cooking such as Air fryer liners (affiliate link), a thermometer to check the meat temperature
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Ribs In The Air Fryer
Should you remove the membrane before cooking your ribs?
If you are cooking your ribs raw, it’s a good idea to remove the membrane from the ribs so that your bbq sauce can fully penetrate the meat. Leaving the membrane on stops the sauce from adhering to and soaking in leaving the meatless flavorsome.
If you have bought pre-cooked ribs then this step will already be done for you.
How Long To Cook Pre-Cooked Ribs In The Air Fryer
You can use any store-bought ribs such as Lloyd’s, Plumrose, Jack Daniel’s, etc., set them into the air fryer basket, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 to 165 degrees F.
Can you use any BBQ sauce?
Yes, any. Preferably you’re favorite.
Side Dishes For Baby Back Ribs
Some of my favorite dishes for a complete meal are a simple garden salad, some Air Fried Macaroni and Cheese, or even a side of air fryer baked beans! This is a great appetizer, that you can serve, before Thanksgiving or Christmas, or of course, these are amazing for the big game!
One of the easiest ways to make ribs, and they are fabulous! The ribs I used in this recipe were fully cooked. If you are using uncooked ribs, the time will be greater.
- 1 rack baby back ribs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 cup BBQ sauce more to serve with
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Start by patting the ribs down with a paper towel, then add the salt, pepper, and liquid smoke. After you rub it into the ribs, leave for about 5 minutes.
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Rub the BBQ Sauce over the rib. Covering both the top and the bottom of the ribs.
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Place the ribs into the air fryer basket.
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Set the time for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F, and then flip them for another 7-10 minutes. Baste the ribs with additional BBQ Sauce.
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Check the internal temperature of the ribs. They should be at 145 degrees F.
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Plate, serve, and enjoy!
I’ve never worked with “liquid smoke”. How much do you use? Do you put it directly on the ribs or do you add it to the BBQ sauce? I saw that it comes in different flavors. Which one do you like the best?
My store only had two kinds, I picked the Hickory Smoke, I don’t know why and I’m anxious to use it on your rib recipe. Thanks for any help.
Hickory Smoke is really good. You only use a few, it will make a great difference, it brings out a great level of flavor. You can brush it on to any meat item, I usually brush it on to hamburgers, and it tastes amazing, so just brush some onto the ribs, and let me know what you think, best, Laurie
Wow! Tried this tonight! I was skeptical to say the least so I did a test trial on 2 ribs and wow. They passed ! So I finished the rest. 12 minutes on one side and 8 on the other with bbq sauce on the last 5 minutes. The Fam said it’s the best ribs I’ve ever made ! Even beat the instant pot! Thanks so much !!
pork at 145 degrees?
According to the pork website, https://www.pork.org/cooking/pork-temperature/
First time air fryer ribs. OMG, this was absolutely amazing! Made a 1/2 slab for hubby and me with air fryer wedge potatoes!
These were delicious. Added sauce the last 5 min. Will definitely make again