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.
Kayla DiMaggio
These air fryer ribs were so delicious! The perfect dinner with little effort!
Colleen
So glad you loved the ribs, Kayla!
Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli
We're always looking for new things to cook in the air fryer and these country style ribs were perfect! Meaty, juicy, succulent, yum!
Colleen
So happy to hear this, guys! Thanks for your feedback!
Katie Youngs
Wow! Tender BBQ ribs in under 30 minutes!? Sign me up! 🙂
Colleen
Right Katie? The air fryer makes it possible!
Katie
Who knew you could make ribs in an air fryer! I'll never look back now, these were incredible!
Katie xoxo
Debbie
I am always looking for new things to cook in my air fryer and these country style ribs are amazing. They came out tender and full of flavor , I will never cook them another way. Thanks for a great recipe .
Colleen
You are so welcome, Debbie! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Ash B
This recipe is super yummy! I love all the helpful tips you added, it really made the whole process much easier.
Colleen
Hi Ash, so glad the ribs turned out great and that you found the tips helpful!
Jill
Oh wow, who knew that ribs are so easy to make in the air fryer! Loved how these came out!!
Colleen
Glad you loved them, Jill! Thanks for your feedback!
Marta
I don't know why I've never made ribs in the air fryer, but after seeing how easy and tasty these were, I don't think I'll ever make them any other way! So flavorful.
Colleen
Hi Marta! I'm so glad to hear that the ribs turned out great for you!
Amanda
These were soooooo good and easy to make in my air fryer! Who knew they would be so flavorful in there?!? Way less mess and prep… these are going to be my go to ribs from now on!
Colleen
I'm so happy to hear that you loved the air fryer ribs Amanada!
Amanda
Another great use for my air fryer! I love how quickly these ribs come together. This will be perfect throughout the spring and summer!
Colleen
I'm happy to hear that the ribs turned out great for you Amanda!
Freya
These sound like a much better rib alternative with more meat and less fuss!
Colleen
Country style ribs are definitely meatier, Freya.
Heather Johnson
country style ribs are my absolute favorite cut of pork - this is a great way to make them even quicker!!!! so good.
Colleen
I'm so happy that you loved them, Heather.
veenaazmanov
A flavorful dish I really need to give this a try. Looks so tempting and juicy.
Colleen
Definitely try these ribs, Veena!
Keri
I had no idea you could cook ribs in the air fryer. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this.
Colleen
You're very welcome, Keri!
Susan M.
I'm new to air frying and it's still too cold to grill where I live. These look fantastic. I'll have to try these ribs this weekend!
Colleen
Enjoy, Susan!