Air Fryer BBQ Ribs (Beef)
Discover the ultimate air fryer method for fall-off-the-bone, smoky, tender beef ribs with rich BBQ flavor and minimal effort. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or impressive weekend feasts.
Equipment
- Air Fryer,
- Small bowl
- Brush
Ingredients
Beef Ribs
- 2-3 lbs beef short ribs (flanken-style, boneless or bone-in)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (or preferred cooking oil)
Dry Rub Spices
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) for a little kick
- 0.5 tsp salt adjust to taste
BBQ Glaze
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar for tenderizing and flavor
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional) for extra caramelization
Instructions
- Pat beef ribs dry and remove membrane if present to ensure tenderness and good sear.
- Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne (if using), and salt in a small bowl. Drizzle ribs with olive oil, rub spice mixture evenly over all sides, then rest at room temperature for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to an hour.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place ribs in single layer in air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Air fry for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through to render fat and start cooking.
- Whisk BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and optional brown sugar in a small bowl to make glaze.
- Brush ribs generously with BBQ glaze on all sides. Return ribs to air fryer, reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C), and cook for another 10-15 minutes, brushing with more sauce every 5 minutes until ribs are tender and sauce is caramelized.
- Remove ribs and let rest covered loosely with foil for 5-10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice and serve.
Notes
For fall-off-the-bone tenderness, consider pre-boiling or steaming ribs for 20-30 minutes before seasoning and air frying. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping. Letting ribs rest after cooking greatly improves texture and flavor. Experiment with spice rubs and BBQ sauces to customize flavor.