Are you tired of tough, dry ribs that disappoint every time? Get ready to revolutionize your cooking game with these mouthwatering Air Fryer Spare Ribs that are so tender, they'll practically fall off the bone! In just 40 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds. This foolproof recipe transforms ordinary spare ribs into a crispy, saucy masterpiece that proves air fryers are the ultimate kitchen miracle worker.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs spare ribs
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the spare ribs. Remove the membrane from the back of the ribs for better flavor and tenderness. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a dry rub.
- Rub the dry mixture evenly over both sides of the spare ribs, ensuring they are well coated. Let the ribs sit for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes while the ribs are resting.
- Once preheated, place the spare ribs in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer for even cooking. If necessary, cut the ribs into smaller sections to fit.
- Cook the ribs in the air fryer for 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly.
- After 25 minutes, check the ribs for doneness. They should be tender and have an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). If you prefer them more tender, you can cook them for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once the ribs are done, brush them generously with BBQ sauce on both sides. Return them to the air fryer for an additional 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) to caramelize the sauce.
- After the final cooking time, carefully remove the ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve the air fryer spare ribs with additional BBQ sauce on the side, and enjoy your delicious meal!
Tips
- Always remove the membrane from the back of the ribs - this is crucial for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Let the dry rub sit on the ribs for at least 10 minutes to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat deeply.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in a single layer or in batches to ensure even cooking and that perfect crispy exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature - 145°F is the sweet spot for perfectly cooked ribs.
- For extra caramelization, brush the BBQ sauce on in the final minutes of cooking, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Let the ribs rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum juiciness.
- If you prefer extra tender ribs, you can add an extra 5 minutes to the cooking time, but be careful not to dry them out.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 130mg
