5 from 18 votes
Smoky Air Fryer Ribs
This recipe for Smoky Air Fryer Ribs uses baby back pork ribs seasoned with smoked paprika and salt, then coated in barbecue sauce before cooking in the air fryer. The ribs develop a flavorful smoky taste with a slightly sticky barbecue glaze. Cooking ribs separately in the air fryer allows even heat circulation, producing tender meat with a balanced crust. This method offers a practical way to enjoy ribs without long slow cooking times, suitable for a casual meal or quick barbecue fix.
Prep Time
35 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
47 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
147 kcal
Course:
Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds baby back pork ribs cut into individual pieces, 700 g, 1 slab
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt to taste
- ½ cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand, 118 ml
Instructions
- Place ribs in a bowl and add the paprika and salt, mixing to coat well.
- Then add barbecue sauce and allow ribs to marinade for 30 minutes or so. However, if you don't have the extra time you can move straight to cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F / 180 degrees C.
- Remove the ribs from marinade, discarding the excess.
- Place ribs inside the air fryer basket, making sure to allow space in between each rib.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes for thin separated ribs, or 20-25 minutes for thicker ribs. Turn ribs once halfway through the cook time.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For saucier ribs, apply extra barbecue sauce before finishing cooking.
- Cooking ribs separately allows even heat circulation; if cooking a whole slab, add extra cook time.
- These ribs will be tender but not fall-off-the-bone; slow cooking or pressure cooking is needed for that texture.
- Arrange ribs in a single air fryer layer with space around each piece; cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fryer temperatures vary; begin with less cook time and add as needed while checking doneness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Calories
147kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
32mg
(11%)
Sodium
285mg
(12%)
Potassium
172mg
(4%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
145IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
0.2mg
(0%)
Calcium
23mg
(2%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 147kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 32mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 285mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 172mg | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 145IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.