Air Fryer Baby Back Pork Ribs
If you love ribs but don’t want to spend hours at the grill or smoker, these Air Fryer Baby Back Pork Ribs will become your new favorite. They’re juicy, flavorful, and perfectly tender – all in a fraction of the time. The air fryer gives them that irresistible crispy edge while keeping the inside moist and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Quick & Easy – Ready in under an hour compared to slow cooking.
✅ Juicy & Tender – The air fryer locks in flavor and moisture.
✅ Perfect for Any Season – Enjoy BBQ-style ribs without firing up the grill.
Ingredients
- 2–3 lbs baby back pork ribs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or low-carb substitute)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prep the Ribs
- Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs for tenderness.
- Cut ribs into sections that fit your air fryer basket.
- Season
- Rub ribs with olive oil.
- Mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Rub evenly over ribs.
- Air Fry
- Place ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Glaze with BBQ Sauce
- Brush ribs generously with BBQ sauce.
- Air fry for another 5–7 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until caramelized and sticky.
- Serve
- Let rest a few minutes, then serve hot with extra sauce on the side.
Tips & Variations
- Spicy Kick → Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the rub.
- Low-Carb Option → Swap brown sugar for a keto-friendly sweetener.
- Fall-Off-the-Bone Tender → Pre-cook ribs in the oven (300°F for 1 hour) before finishing in the air fryer.
