Pork Ribs: Crunchy and Juicy with the Air Fryer:
Tired of the same old oven-baked pork ribs? Get ready for a true kitchen revolution!
With this recipe, inspired by Benedetta Rossi’s tips, you’ll discover how to get crunchy and juicy pork ribs easily and quickly, thanks to the air fryer.
Forget the traditional oven and long cooking times: with the air fryer, your ribs will be ready in just 20 minutes, with an amazing result! A golden, crispy crust on the outside and tender, juicy meat inside that melts in your mouth.
The secret? A simple but effective marinade with oil, rosemary, and thyme, giving the ribs an irresistible aroma. Follow our recipe step by step and get ready to enjoy a finger-licking second course!
Don’t miss the video with the full recipe and detailed steps. Scroll down and enjoy watching!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Air Frying, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 172.73 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 0.21 (g) of which sugars 0.00 (g)
- Proteins 17.44 (g)
- Fat 10.86 (g) of which saturated 2.17 (g)of which unsaturated 3.36 (g)
- Fibers 0.09 (g)
- Sodium 231.36 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 135 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1.76 lbs pork ribs
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 sprig rosemary
- A few sprigs thyme
- 1 pinch black pepper
- to taste salt
Tools
- 1 Air Fryer
Steps
Let’s start by flavoring our ribs! In a small bowl, pour a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, add a pinch of salt, a grind of fresh black pepper, and the herbs: a sprig of rosemary and one of thyme. Mix everything well with a teaspoon, so that the herbs release their aromas into the oil.
This fragrant mixture will be used to marinate the ribs and make them even more delicious!
Let’s take our pork ribs and pat them dry one by one with kitchen paper towels. This step is crucial to remove excess moisture and allow the seasoning to adhere better.
Now, with a kitchen brush, brush the ribs with the previously prepared marinade, taking care to cover them evenly on all sides. Don’t overdo the amount of seasoning: in an air fryer, a thin layer is enough to flavor the ribs and achieve a crispy crust.
And now let’s move on to cooking in the air fryer!
Take a sheet of perforated parchment paper and place it on the bottom of the fryer basket. This small precaution will help keep the fryer clean and collect any grease drips.
Arrange the marinated ribs in the basket, one by one, leaving a little space between them so that the hot air can circulate freely and cook them evenly.Set the fryer temperature to 392°F and start cooking for 10 minutes. After this time, open the basket, gently turn the ribs, and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
A tip: the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the ribs and the model of the air fryer. To make sure they are perfectly cooked, check them towards the end of cooking and, if necessary, add a few minutes.
While the ribs are cooking, we can prepare a tasty side dish, such as roast potatoes or a fresh salad.
As soon as the ribs are cooked, take them out of the air fryer and serve them hot. For a gourmet touch, we can add a sprinkle of flaky salt which, with its crunchiness, will give an extra touch to the dish. Accompany them with the sauce of your choice, such as a classic barbecue sauce, or for a really interesting contrast of flavors, with a dollop of fresh sour cream. Enjoy your meal!
Tips, Storage, Notes, and Variations for Air Fryer Pork Ribs:
Tips:
Choose quality ribs: the success of the dish also depends on the raw material.
Marinate the ribs: even just 30 minutes of marinating makes a difference in terms of taste and tenderness.
Don’t overload the basket: arrange the ribs in a single layer, leaving space between them for even cooking.
Check the cooking: the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the ribs and the model of the air fryer.
Adjust the temperature: if the ribs darken too quickly, slightly lower the temperature.
Brush with BBQ sauce: for an American-style touch, brush the ribs with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.
Storage:
In the fridge: cooked pork ribs can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container.
In the freezer: you can freeze cooked ribs for 2-3 months. Thaw them in the fridge before consuming.
Reheating: to reheat ribs, use the air fryer for a few minutes at 356°F, or the traditional oven at 302°F for 10-15 minutes.
Notes:
You can use the spices and herbs you prefer for the marinade.
If you don’t have perforated parchment paper, you can use a sheet of perforated aluminum foil.
For a lighter version, you can cook the ribs without adding oil to the marinade.
Variations:
Spicy pork ribs: add chili powder or spicy paprika to the marinade.
Honey pork ribs: brush the ribs with honey in the last few minutes of cooking.
Pork ribs with sweet and sour sauce: prepare a sweet and sour sauce with balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce and serve it with the ribs.
Pork ribs with potatoes: cook potatoes together with the ribs in the air fryer for a complete and flavorful single dish. I hope these tips are helpful!
Pork ribs with potatoes: cook potatoes together with the ribs in the air fryer for a complete and flavorful single dish. I hope these tips are helpful!
Wine to Pair with Air Fryer Pork Ribs:
.
Don’t know what wine to drink with your ribs?
Don’t worry, we can help! 🍷 Pork ribs, especially those cooked in an air fryer, are flavorful and crispy. Therefore, you need a wine that is not overwhelmed by the taste of the meat, but at the same time not too strong.
Here are some ideas:
Light red: such as a Pinot Noir or Bardolino. They are fragrant and fresh wines, perfect for an informal dinner.
Red with some “character”: if you like more robust wines, try a Chianti Classico or a Rosso di Montalcino.
Aromatic white: if you prefer white, a Gewürztraminer or a Sauvignon Blanc are great with ribs, especially if you accompany them with sweet and sour sauces.
Rosé: a Chiaretto del Garda or a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo are perfect for a summer dinner, maybe with the ribs accompanied by a fresh salad.
A tip: if your ribs are spicy or sweet and sour, choose a wine with a bit of sweetness, like a Lambrusco.
Ultimately, the important thing is that you like the wine! 🍷
Ultimately, the important thing is that you like the wine! 🍷
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Do pork ribs need to be washed before cooking them in an air fryer?
No, it is not necessary to wash pork ribs before cooking them in an air fryer. In fact, washing them could increase the risk of bacterial contamination in the kitchen.
It is sufficient to pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. The air fryer cooking, with its high temperatures, will eliminate any bacteria present on the meat.No, it is not necessary to wash pork ribs before cooking them in an air fryer. In fact, washing them could increase the risk of bacterial contamination in the kitchen.
It is sufficient to pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. The air fryer cooking, with its high temperatures, will eliminate any bacteria present on the meat.
