Air Fryer Tender Juicy Smoked BBQ Ribs is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make baby back or spare country pork ribs in the air fryer. You can use Power Air Fryer, Cooks Essential or any branded air fryer. Take your pick of boneless or bone-in ribs. Make sure to drizzle them in BBQ sauce.
Do you live in a part of the country that has harsh winters? I do! I’m a Midwest gal. I live in Kansas City. Not only do we have harsh winters, but we are KNOWN for our BBQ here. No other city or state can compare to ours!
When it’s freezing cold and I am craving BBQ I am happy that I now have the air fryer to get me through. You can still prepare tender and juicy ribs that have that smokey taste.
What’s the secret? Liquid smoke. I have been using this stuff for years and you will definitely want to get some on hand as well.
The Best Way to Grill Ribs in the Air Fryer
For starters, I suggest you marinate your ribs first, especially if you want the smokey taste. You don’t have to marinate them all night (though you can).
I suggest adding the liquid smoke and seasonings to the ribs. Cover them in foil and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
Then, you add them to the air fryer. Cook on both sides for 15 minutes each, for a total of 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 360 degrees.
When they are finished, slather them in your favorite BBQ sauce. My favorite is our local Gates BBQ sauce.
How long does it take to make BBQ ribs?
The ribs will need 30 minutes to marinate and another 30 minutes of cook time. You can complete the recipe in about an hour.
If you prefer to make your own BBQ sauce, check out this post on Homemade BBQ Sauce recipes.
Pair your ribs with these Loaded Air Fryer Baked Potatoes!
Pair These With:
How to Grill the Best Burgers
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer Quesadillas
Air Fryer Cheeseburgers
Air Fryer Homemade Fries
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Cabbage
Air Fryer Panko Breaded Bang Bang Shrimp
Get a full list of Air Fryer Recipes here.
Air Fryer Tender Juicy Smoked BBQ Ribs
Air Fryer Tender Juicy Smoked BBQ Ribs is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make baby back or spare country pork ribs in the air fryer. You can use Power Air Fryer, Cooks Essential or any branded air fryer. Take your pick of boneless or bone-in ribs. Make sure to drizzle them in BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 rack ribs (baby back or spare ribs)
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 2-3 tablespoons pork rub I used Kansas City Gate's classic BBQ rub or McCormick's Grill Mates Pork Rub is another option
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs.This is a thin layer that can be tough to remove. Sometimes it will peel right off. You can also cut it, and pull it off. Cut the ribs in half or so the ribs are able to fit in the air fryer.
- Drizzle the liquid smoke over both sides of the ribs.
- Season both sides with the pork rub, salt and pepper.
- Cover the ribs and allow the ribs to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Add the ribs to the air fryer. It is ok to stack the ribs.
- Cook for 15 minutes on 360 degrees.
- Open the air fryer. Flip the ribs. Cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove the ribs from the air fryer. Drizzle the ribs with BBQ sauce.
Notes
Get the recipe for Low-Carb Homemade BBQ Sauce here.
Grab your 14 Day Air Fryer Meal Plan here.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 375Total Fat 27gCarbohydrates 12 net gProtein 18g
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Carol Hofbauer
Saturday 3rd of July 2021
When you say you can stack the ribs, do you mean vertically or horizontally? Thanks so much!
staysnatched
Saturday 3rd of July 2021
Either
Koreatha
Thursday 22nd of April 2021
Can I use something other than liquid smoke? Just curious
staysnatched
Thursday 22nd of April 2021
You can omit it.
Shannon E.
Sunday 3rd of January 2021
5 stars. I used my own homemade rub & followed the recipe to a tee. I even added the liquid smoke. The ribs came out PERFECT. I will 100% be using this recipe again, thank you!
Kay
Tuesday 2nd of February 2021
@staysnatched,
staysnatched
Friday 8th of January 2021
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them Shannon.
Jacqueline
Thursday 31st of December 2020
Do your self a favor and make these. Go buy a good bbq sauce and let the air fryer do all the work! You might not ever grill ribs again. Who knows.
staysnatched
Thursday 31st of December 2020
Wonderful! I'm so glad you tried the recipe.
Mandy
Thursday 31st of December 2020
These ribs had fine flavor but were tough and gristly. I was worried about the short cooking time because typically ribs should be cooked low and slow and grilled to finish. Unfortunately this experience proves my hunch that ribs are a recipe you can’t shortcut.
staysnatched
Thursday 31st of December 2020
As someone who has been grilling and smoking meat for years, I wholly disagree. These are also never tough when I make them. Thanks for your feedback and for trying the recipe.