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.
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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.
What is 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.
Then, you add them to the air fryer. Cook on both sides for 15 minutes each, for a total of 30 minutes.
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!
These will pair wonderfully with Air Fryer Grilled Cheese, Air Fryer Quesadillas, Air Fryer Cheeseburgers, Air Fryer Homemade Fries, or Air Fryer Panko Breaded Bang Bang Shrimp. Be sure to check out these recipes.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
Air Fryer Homestyle French Fries
Air Fryer Homemade Pop Tarts
Air Fryer Southern Style Pork Chops
Air Fryer Fried Shrimp Po Boy
Air Fryer Old Bay Crab Cakes
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Breaded Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Parmesan Truffle Oil Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Truffle Aioli
Air Fryer Sriracha Honey Bourbon Fried Chicken Wings
Air Fryer 3 Ingredient Fried Catfish
Air Fryer Bang Bang Panko Breaded Fried Shrimp
Air Fryer Apple Cinnamon Dessert Empanadas
Air Fryer Beef Taco Fried Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Accessories
Air Fryer Accessory Set – Universal
Get your Air Fryer Printable Cooking Charts and Cheat Sheets here! These are great to have on hand for reference. The charts include the cook time for fresh and frozen chicken, beef, seafood and vegetables.
Click Here To Snag Your Printable Air Fryer Cooking Charts
Air Fryer Tender Juicy Smoked BBQ Ribs
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
Watch the video!
Grab your 14 Day Air Fryer Meal Plan here.
Recommended Products
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Power Air Fryer XL 5.3 Quart -
Evo Oil Sprayer Bottle, Non-Aerosol for Olive Oil and Cooking Oils, 8-ounce Capacity, Set of 2
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Air Fryer Accessories for Gowise Phillips and Cozyna, Deluxe Set of 6, Fit all 3.7QT
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WRIGHT'S Hickory Liquid Smoke - 3.5 Oz
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McCormick PORK RUB 3.46oz (2 pack)
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 375 Total Fat: 27g Carbohydrates: 12 net g Protein: 18g
Wilhelmina Wessel
These ribs look cooked to perfection!
Aimee Shugarman
LOVE this easy to follow recipe, and they turn out so tender!
Judy
Just made this! 5 stars! Keeper recipe! Thank you!