How to Cook Rib Roast in Air Fryer
Want to make your rib roast even more delicious? The air fryer has got you covered. It cooks the ribs to a perfect crisp on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside, offering an amazing flavor and texture.
Required Ingredients and Substitutes
Pork Ribs: Rich in meat, suitable for long marination, tender and juicy after roasting.
Ketchup: Provides a sweet and tangy flavor, forming the base of the barbecue sauce.
Barbecue Sauce: A rich barbecue flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Garlic Paste: Adds fragrance with a garlicky aroma.
Cooking Wine: Removes any gamey smell and adds fragrance.
Oyster Sauce: Adds a rich seafood flavor to the ribs.
Vinegar: Adds acidity, helping balance the flavors.
Honey: Adds sweetness, helps with browning, and enhances the crispiness of the exterior.
Chili Powder: Adds a hint of heat, elevating the overall flavor.
Substitutes
Pork Ribs: Can be replaced with other cuts of pork (such as pork shoulder), though the flavor will be slightly different.
Ketchup: Can be substituted with tomato sauce, with a similar effect.
Barbecue Sauce: Can be replaced with barbecue sauce or homemade barbecue sauce.
Cooking Wine: Can be replaced with rice wine or white wine.
Oyster Sauce: Can be substituted with fish sauce or other seafood sauces.
Honey: Can be replaced with maple syrup or other syrups.
Expert Tips for Cooking Ribs in the Air Fryer
To achieve ribs that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with perfect flavor, here are some expert tips to keep in mind:
Mix the Marinade Well: Make sure to mix the marinade thoroughly to ensure every piece of rib is evenly coated. This will help the ribs absorb the flavors better while cooking.
Don’t Skip the Marination Time: While this recipe calls for a 1-hour marination, if you have the time, marinating for a longer period (2-3 hours or even overnight) will enhance the flavor even more.
Cut the Ribs Properly: Cutting the ribs into smaller sections not only helps them marinate more evenly but also ensures they cook more uniformly in the air fryer, making it easier for the ribs to cook through and absorb the seasoning.
No Need to Flip: The air fryer’s hot air circulation ensures even cooking, so there’s no need to flip the ribs halfway through. This helps maintain the crispy texture on the outside while keeping the meat tender on the inside.
Be Mindful of Temperature and Time: Every air fryer has a different heating efficiency, so if you're making ribs for the first time, it’s best to check on them halfway through the cooking process to ensure they’re cooked just right—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
Preheating is Key: Preheating the air fryer ensures even temperature distribution, helping the food start cooking at the optimal temperature for the best results.
Don’t Waste the Leftover Marinade: The marinade used for marinating can be reused to brush over the cooked ribs, adding more flavor and a beautiful gloss to the finished dish.
How Long to Cook Ribs in the Air Fryer
If you're using small pieces of ribs, it will take a little less time—around 35 minutes should be enough. However, if you prefer to sear the outside first and then slow-cook the ribs, you can sear the outer layer until it's slightly crispy, and then place them back into the air fryer to cook slowly. This will give you ribs that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—delicious!
For larger racks of ribs (such as those weighing over 6 pounds), it may take close to 75 minutes. But for smaller portions, like the 2-pound pieces I’ve tried, 35 minutes should be just about right. The key is to make sure the internal temperature of the ribs has reached the appropriate level of doneness, and you’ll be good to go!
Temperature for Cooking Ribs
Rare: 120-129°F (49-54°C)
The outside is slightly crispy, while the inside is very tender and red.
Medium rare: 130-134°F (55-57°C)
The outer layer is golden, and the inside remains tender with a hint of pink.
Medium: 135-144°F (58-62°C)
The inside is fully cooked but still juicy, with a light pink color.
Medium well: 145-154°F (63-67°C)
Evenly cooked, with a slightly crispy exterior and fully cooked but not dry inside, offering a rich flavor.
Well done: 155-164°F (68-73°C)
Fully cooked, with firm meat but still retains some juiciness, and the exterior has a slight caramelization.
I recommend cooking the ribs to about medium or medium-rare, and then letting them rest for a bit. This resting time will allow the temperature to rise slightly, ensuring a more tender bite. For smaller racks of ribs, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
INGREDIENTS
Main Ingredients
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·2 pieces pork ribs
Additional Ingredients
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·30g ketchup
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·30g barbecue sauce
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·15g minced garlic
Seasonings
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·30ml cooking wine
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·15g oyster sauce
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·15ml vinegar
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·40g honey
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·8g chili powder
COOKING STEP
Step 1
Prepare 2 pieces of pork ribs and score the surface with cross cuts.
Step 2
Cut the ribs into smaller pieces to help them marinate better.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine 30g ketchup, 30g barbecue sauce, 30ml cooking wine, 15g oyster sauce, 15ml vinegar, 40g honey, 8g chili powder, and 15g minced garlic.
Step 4
Stir all the ingredients well.
Step 5
Coat the ribs with the sauce mixture, making sure each piece is evenly covered.
Step 6
Let the ribs marinate for 5 hour.
Step 7
Preheat the air fryer to 160°C for 10 minutes.
Step 8
Place the marinated ribs in the air fryer and cook for 30 minutes, no need to flip them halfway through.
Step 9
Once done, remove the ribs, plate them, and enjoy!
More recipes worth trying
Radish And Pork Ribs Soup Recipe
Delicious Homemade Braised Chicken Wings
What to pair with it
Scallop potatoes: With a rich creamy flavor and smooth texture, scallop potatoes are simple to make yet incredibly flavorful. They pair perfectly with the rich meaty aroma of the roasted ribs!
Baked creamed corn: Sweet corn kernels baked with cream help balance the savory taste of the ribs while adding a silky and sweet touch to the whole meal.
Mashed potatoes: A classic choice that never fails, creamy mashed potatoes go wonderfully with ribs, easily creating a hearty meal while soaking up the delicious sauce on the plate—super satisfying with each bite!
Creamed spinach: Like a signature side at high-end steakhouses, the smooth texture and mild savory flavor of creamed spinach complement the tender juiciness of the ribs. The best part? It can be easily prepared while the ribs are baking!
Garlic green beans: If you prefer a quick and simple side, this garlic-scented green bean dish is a great option. Cooked in a pressure cooker, it’s fresh and refreshing, providing a nice balance to the richness of the ribs.
Classic biscuits: The sweet and soft texture of buttery biscuits not only perfectly absorbs the rib sauce but also adds a warm, comforting family feel to the meal.
Air fryer Brussels sprouts: Cooked in the air fryer alongside the ribs, these Brussels sprouts turn crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Top with some bacon bits or Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
FAQs:
However, if you're short on time, cooking frozen ribs directly in the air fryer is still an option. Just be sure to adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Start with a lower temperature to gradually thaw the inside, then increase the heat to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
For longer storage, wrap the ribs tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a sealed bag, removing as much air as possible before storing them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
On the other hand, "prime rib" typically refers to a premium cut of beef from the rib section, also known as beef ribs. It has a firmer texture with rich marbling, making it ideal for roasting or slow cooking.
So, when it comes to cooking, the methods and textures of the two can be quite different—just choose based on your preference!
However, if you’re looking for a crispier exterior, you can brush a little oil on during the last few minutes of cooking. This helps achieve a golden, crispy finish. In most cases, though, the marinade itself is enough to keep the ribs juicy and packed with flavor!
REVIEWS
