Ribs cooked in the air fryer? Yes! Air frying is a great way to get tender, juicy BBQ ribs without the usual long cooking times of the oven or grill. These Air Fryer Country Style Ribs are so easy and delicious they just may become your new favorite air fryer recipe.
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What Exactly are Country Style Ribs?
Country Style Ribs are not really ribs at all. They are shaped like ribs but come from the shoulder area of the pork and are usually boneless. Boneless country pork ribs differ from baby back ribs or spare ribs. Boneless pork ribs are meatier and fattier. For more details on the different types of ribs check out Pork Cuts 101.
Why Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer?
- The ribs come out beautifully tender, juicy and delicious.
- Air fryer ribs are a very easy recipe but have so much flavor.
- These boneless pork ribs take just 20 minutes to cook.
- Boneless country style ribs are a very economical cut of meat.
Ingredients You Need
- Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs Look for meaty, well marbled ribs.
- Barbecue Sauce You can very easily make your own BBQ sauce. Give it a try using my recipe for Sweet & Smoky Barbecue Sauce. Or, use your favorite bottled BBQ sauce.
- Seasonings I keep it simple using just salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Sometimes I use my Cajun Seasoning, and you can use your favorite pork rub seasoning. The seasonings act as a dry rub, giving the meat a lovely crust, and locking in the juices.
How To Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer
It can't get any easier to make these boneless ribs:
Step 1
Combine the seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle on the ribs. Rub the seasoning mix all over the top, bottom and sides of the ribs.
Step 2
Place the ribs in the air fryer basket and cook, turning once.
Step 3
Slather the ribs with BBQ sauce and cook for a further couple of minutes.
Helpful Tips
- Before air frying take the ribs out of the fridge for 30 minutes to bring them to room temperature. They'll cook faster and more evenly.
- Pat the ribs dry with paper towel before seasoning. This ensures that the meat will sear, rather than steam in the air fryer's high heat.
- For best results Be sure not to crowd the air fryer basket. You will likely need to cook this recipe in batches, especially if you have a smaller air fryer. Keep the first batch warm by covering them with aluminum foil while you cook the next batch.
- Don't apply the barbecue sauce until the very end of the cooking time because it will burn if applied sooner.
- Before air frying take the ribs out of the fridge for 30 minutes to bring them to room temperature. They'll cook faster and more evenly.
- Pat the ribs dry with paper towel before seasoning. This ensures that the meat will sear, rather than steam in the air fryer's high heat.
- For best results Be sure not to crowd the air fryer basket. You will likely need to cook this recipe in batches, especially if you have a smaller air fryer. Keep the first batch warm by covering them with aluminum foil while you cook the next batch.
- Don't apply the barbecue sauce until the very end of the cooking time because it will burn if applied sooner.
- Air fryer makes and models differ and cook time can vary, so the safest and best way to tell if your pork country style ribs are perfectly cooked is to use a meat thermometer, an inexpensive too that I always recommend. Your ribs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°.
- You can cut the meat into smaller pieces for riblets, which make a fun appetizer. Cut the ribs before seasoning and cooking. You will need to cook them for a shorter time.
- You can store leftover country style ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400° for 3-5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Salads are always great with barbecue ribs! A few good ones to try are Classic Potato Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, or Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Apples.
We also love serving air fryer ribs with Boston Baked Beans. Some delicious vegetable side dishes include Cajun Corn on the Cob Sautéed Green Beans With Garlic & Lemon or Braised Red Cabbage with Apples. Round out the meal with Cornbread .
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a rating in the comments below and let us know how it turned out. Did you make any changes? We would love for you to share and your feedback is important! Thank you for visiting The Food Blog!
Recipe
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Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds country style pork ribs
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Combine paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl
- Sprinkle seasoning mix over the ribs and rub it into all sides of the ribs
- Spray the air fryer basket with non stick cooking spray and preheat the air fryer to 400°
- Using tongs, put country style pork ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Brush on barbecue sauce and cook for a further 2 minutes. Using a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should be 145°
- Serve with additional barbecue sauce on the side
Notes
- Before air frying take the ribs out of the fridge for 30 minutes to bring them to room temperature. They'll cook faster and more evenly.
- Pat the ribs dry with paper towel before seasoning. This ensures that the meat will sear, rather than steam in the air fryer's high heat.
- For best results Be sure not to crowd the air fryer basket. You will likely need to cook this recipe in batches, especially if you have a smaller air fryer. Keep the first batch warm by covering them with aluminum foil while you cook the next batch.
- Don't apply the barbecue sauce until the very end of the cooking time because it will burn if applied sooner.
- Air fryer makes and models differ and cook time can vary, so the safest and best way to tell if your pork country style ribs are perfectly cooked is to use a meat thermometer, an inexpensive too that I always recommend. Your ribs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°.
- You can cut the meat into smaller pieces for riblets, which make a fun appetizer. Cut the ribs before seasoning and cooking. You will need to cook them for a shorter time.
- Leftover country style ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 400° for 3-5 minutes.
Fran
Followed the recipe exactly and these came out wonderful! So tender.
Colleen
Hi Fran! It's great to hear that the ribs turned out great for you. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Mary
I've made country loin ribs on the grill and they were tough. I tried this recipe with a few ribs, added more garlic, and chopped rosemary. I rubbed grapeseed oil in the pan since spray oils contain a form of silicone (from my research). My fryer took longer for the process but the ribs were as tender as a steak. Thank you for this great way to cook this type of pork ribs!
Colleen
Hi Mary! You're very welcome. The air fryer is such a great appliance for cooking just about anything. It's great to hear that your country style ribs turned out perfect. Thanks for sharing your tweaks. Your comment is appreciated!
Cathy A
Delicious! Nice blend 😋
Colleen
So happy to hear, Cathy!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Such an easy and delicious recipe! I love how you used the air fryer for these! Such a great idea!
Colleen
Thanks Lori.
Tammy
I would never have thought to make ribs in the air fryer! That's a wonderful idea and oh my goodness they came out so tender! 😀
Colleen
I'm so glad to hear this, Tammy! Thanks for your comment!
Jacqueline Debono
I'm still getting used to using my new air fryer so I wasn't sure if I was being too ambitious making these ribs but actually they turned out so good! Thanks for a great recipe and all the tips!
Colleen
I'm so happy the ribs turned out great for you Jacqueline! You're very welcome!