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.
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:
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.
Recommended Products
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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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Wilhelmina Wessel
These ribs look cooked to perfection!
Connie
What kind of dry rub Can I get that’s not spicy and hot ??
staysnatched
McCormick’s Grill Mates.
Aimee Shugarman
LOVE this easy to follow recipe, and they turn out so tender!
Judy
Just made this! 5 stars! Keeper recipe! Thank you!
John Booth
Suppose the ribs are very frozen???
staysnatched
Add another 5-10 minutes of cook time and watch them closely.
Stefanie
Do you need to preheat the Air Fryer?
staysnatched
Depends on the air fryer brand you use. The user manual will let you know if you need to. I do not preheat mine.
Stefanie
Thanks!
LOREN K LOUTHAN
At what temp are you cooking the ribs?
Anonymous
360
Lisa Robinson
Do you cook the ribs on Air Crisp or Grill more @360?
Anonymous
“Grill mode”
Melanie L.
Thank you. New to air frying and I wish recipes included the cooking mode used.
staysnatched
My air fryer only has one mode. You may need to read the manual for yours.
Lisa Robinson
Don’t know what happened to my question….Lol! Do you cook the ribs @360 on Air Crisp or Grill mode for 30 min?
staysnatched
I use the standard air fryer setting. I don’t have grill mode.
Delbra Anita Blanton
I followed you recipe And I am a believer. Very tender ribs and so fast.
Thank you for sharing.
staysnatched
You’re welcome! I’m so glad they worked out.
Calvin Cornick
I tried the ribs in the air fryer and loved them, and plan to make them again. Can I make some changes and use bone-in Country style ribs?
staysnatched
Sure. I assume the cook time will be the same, but you will have to monitor and test it.
Tish
made this recipe for dinner tonight….absolutely fabulous. I could not stop eating them. They were tender juicy perfectly charred. The ribs were just as good as being on the grill. Thank you for the recipe
staysnatched
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed them!
Jayde
Delish!!!! And so easy to make. Made these for Father’s Day, along with the air fryer baked potatoes and instant pot southern green beans… My dad can’t stop talking about how good they are. He can’t believe I didn’t grill them. Moist, tender, juicy with a little char. Just how we love them. Thanks again!!! Will def be in the dinner rotation.
staysnatched
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Brooke
Made these for dinner tonight using baby back ribs and they are fantastic! Followed recipe exactly and next time I Make these I wouldn’t change a thing. These were so good I didn’t even need to add BBQ sauce. Thanks for another great recipe!
staysnatched
Yes! I agree you totally don’t need sauce!
Kim L Schmidt
I loved your rib recipe! They turned out PERFECT! And so easy!
I never liked “cooking”, but I might start. 🙂
Thank you!!!
staysnatched
You should totally start now! Air frying makes it easy!
Tiffani
OMG!!! I have NEVER in my life made ribs, but, I was excited to try out this recipe. It did NOT disappoint. I gotta play around with rubs, and I would’ve liked a little more liquid smoke (I didn’t measure it) but these were SUPERB!!! Juicy, just as tender as if they were from the grill. I don’t think I’ll ever buy ribs from a BBQ restaurant again!!
staysnatched
Yay! Ribs in the air fryer are so good!
Lanie
Can I use beef ribs? Can’t eat pork.
staysnatched
Sure, if you want.