Name: Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
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

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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.

Sauce covered ribs on a white plate. — Cooked Ribs Covered in BBQ Sauce

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What Exactly are Country Style Ribs?
Why Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer?
Ingredients You Need
How To Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer
Helpful Tips
Serving Suggestions
Recipe
Comments

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.

Uncooked ribs on a baking tray ready to be seasoned. — Boneless country ribs ready to be seasoned

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.

Barbecue sauce and seasoning in glass dishes. — Barbecue sauce and seasonings for country style ribs

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.

Uncooked ribs rubbed with seasoning. — Seasoning the ribs

Step 2

Place the ribs in the air fryer basket and cook, turning once.

Partially cooked pork ribs in an air fryer basket. — Ribs are flipped halfway through cooking

Step 3

Slather the ribs with BBQ sauce and cook for a further couple of minutes.

Cooked ribs brushed with barbecue sauce in an air fryer basket. — Ribs are brushed with barbecue sauce

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.

Three ribs covered in barbecue sauce on a white plate.

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 Sautéed Green Beans With Garlic & Lemon or Braised Red Cabbage with Apples. Round out the meal with Cornbread .

Recipe