Name: Air Fryer Ribs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2.5 lbs pork ribs (1 kg); 6 cloves garlic; 1 ½ tbsp oil (or pork fat); 10 g salt; 1 g black pepper (ground)

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Air fryers and convection ovens are great for making delicious roasted meats, especially when you know the secret to keeping them from drying out. With this method, your ribs will come out juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked every time.

In this recipe, I’ll let you in on the secret to perfect air fryer ribs. This isn’t the quickest recipe out there, but it’s still faster and more efficient than using a traditional oven.

Air Fryer Rib Cooking Time and Temperature

The key to most air fryer recipes is nailing the right cooking time and temperature, and it’s no different with ribs.

The trick here is that we don’t cook the meat at a constant temperature or all in one go. We start with a lower temperature for a longer period. This is necessary to allow the meat to start tenderizing without burning towards the end. In the second phase, we bump up the temperature to further tenderize the meat and cook it through.

Begin by cooking the ribs at 300°F (150 C) for 30 minutes in the air fryer.
Then, increase the temperature to 340°F (170 C) and cook for 2 sets of 20 minutes, turning the ribs over after the first 20 minutes.

Keep in mind, every air fryer is different, and ribs are not always cut to the same size. It’s wise to check the meat in the last 10 minutes. If the pieces are smaller and feel tender, you might take them out earlier. If the pieces are larger, if your air fryer tends to be less powerful, or if you prefer a crunchier texture, leave them in for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Additional Tips for Air Fryer Ribs

Add about a quarter cup of water beneath the meat when you first place it in the air fryer basket.
Season the ribs according to your preference. In the United States, a traditional mix of garlic, salt, and pepper usually does the trick.
Before you increase the temperature for the second phase of cooking, pour the accumulated juices from the basket into a bowl.
During the initial phase of cooking at the higher temperature, and occasionally thereafter, baste the ribs with these collected juices.
When you flip the ribs, pour off any accumulated fat and baste the meat again.

Air Fryer Ribs

Juicy, tender air fryer ribs with perfect seasoning.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1 10

Total Time 1 15

Servings people

Ingredients

2.5 lbs pork ribs 1 kg
6 cloves garlic
1 ½ tbsp oil or pork fat
10 g salt
1 g black pepper ground

Instructions

If necessary, remove the membrane from the ribs and cut them into pieces. Preheat your air fryer in the meantime.
Mix the marinade in a small bowl: combine fat or oil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper. While cooking oil works, using quality pork lard not only enhances flavor but also adds authenticity and health benefits.
Rub the marinade thoroughly into the meat.
Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, pour about a quarter cup of water underneath, and cook at 300°F (150 C) for 30 minutes.
After the initial cooking, drain the juices into a bowl. Flip the ribs, baste them with a few tablespoons of the collected juices, and cook at 340°F (170 C) for 20 minutes.
Flip the ribs again, drain off the fat, baste or lightly coat with some of the drained fat, and continue to cook for another 20 minutes at 340°F (170 C).
Your air fryer ribs are ready to serve. Enjoy them hot and fresh, or even cold, on their own, with sides, or with bread.