Air Fryer Country style Pork Ribs are a game-changer for busy weeknight dinners. Gone are the days of slaving over the oven or grill for fall-off-the-bone, sweet and smoky tender ribs.
Boneless country-style pork ribs are seasoned with a simple rub and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, then glazed with your favorite BBQ sauce for a finger lickin' good finish.
Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Country Style Ribs Recipe
A simple dry rub gets the party started, infusing the ribs with savory spices before air frying. Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and return for a quick stint in the air fryer to caramelize the sauce for restaurant-worthy ribs.
- Faster Than Traditional Methods: The air fryer cooks these ribs in a fraction of the time it takes to cook them in the oven, making them perfect for busy weeknights.
- Crispy and Flavorful: The air fryer creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the ribs juicy and tender on the inside.
- Easy Cleanup: No more messy grilling or hours spent scrubbing pots - the air fryer makes cleanup a breeze.
- Endless Flavor Options: Experiment with different spice rubs and BBQ sauces to customize the flavor profile to your liking.
Ingredients Overview
Look for the boneless country style ribs, a type of 'rib' that stays juicy and tender without long, slow cooking. You'll also want your favorite BBQ sauce to slather on the final air fryer cooking time.
- Country style boneless pork ribs - You'll want two large per person, or if they are short, 3 - 4 per person.
- Olive oil - to brush on ribs before seasoning rub is applied.
- Seasonings or Rib Rub (see our Traditional St. Louis Rib Rub recipe), or any seasoning salt.
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite, or try our Pineapple BBQ sauce or Carolina Gold BBQ sauce recipes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Air Fryer Country style Pork Ribs
Air frying uses significantly less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in a lighter and healthier option.
Marinated in a simple spice rub and then cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer, these ribs are then glazed with your favorite BBQ sauce for an irresistible sweet and smoky flavor.
- If making our rib rub recipe, mix all the seasonings ingredients in a small bowl.
- Rinse and pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Brush a light coating of olive oil over the raw ribs.
- Season either the seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, OR with the rib rub. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Brush the pork ribs with half the BBQ sauce, saving the rest for the final glazing.
- Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap.
- Set the air fryer to 375 F, no need to even preheat. Cook the ribs for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the ribs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the cooked ribs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze becomes sticky and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Let rest a few minutes so the juices distribute. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
Pair your Air Fryer Country Pork Ribs with coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad for a classic barbecue spread. Serve them with french fries, onion rings, or mac and cheese for a fun and flavorful meal.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making country style pork ribs in the air fryer.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili powder to the dry rub for an extra kick.
- Use a smoky BBQ sauce for a deeper flavor profile.
- For a sweeter glaze, brush the ribs with honey in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano in the dry rub.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this air fryer country style pork ribs recipe:
- Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Cooking the ribs in a single layer ensures even air circulation and optimal crispness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating ensures the ribs cook evenly from the start.
- Cooking Time May Vary: Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your ribs and your air fryer model. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Let Them Rest: Allowing the ribs to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps redistribute the juices and results in even more tender meat.
Storage Options
- Leftover Air Fryer Country Pork Ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in the air fryer or oven until warmed through.
- Cooked ribs can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Related Recipes
- Regional BBQ Sauces
- Grilled BBQ Pork Ribs
- Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes
- Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
- Dutch Oven Corned Beef
Frequently Asked Questions
Bone-in pork ribs will take longer to cook in the air fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time and cooking temperature accordingly.
This recipe will work with most air fryer models. Consult your air fryer's manual for specific cooking times and temperatures,
Yes! This recipe can be adapted for other boneless cuts of meat like chicken breasts or thighs. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the meat.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Get The Recipe!
Easy Air Fryer Country Style Ribs
Ingredients
- 2½ lb country style pork ribs
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon seasoning salt rib rub
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce your favorite
or use our St. Louis Rib Rub recipe to season
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard Colemans
- 1½ tablespoon sea salt
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder granulated
- 1½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon coriander ground
- ½ teaspoon black pepper coarse cracked
Instructions
Prepare The Rib Rub
- If making our rib rub recipe, mix all the seasonings ingredients in a small bowl.1 cup dark brown sugar, 3 tablespoon smoked paprika or regular paprika, 1 tablespoon dry mustard Colemans, 1½ tablespoon sea salt, 1½ teaspoon garlic powder granulated, ½ teaspoon coriander ground, ½ teaspoon black pepper coarse cracked, 1½ teaspoon onion powder
Make Air Fryer Country Style Pork Ribs
- Rinse and pat the ribs dry with paper towels. Brush a light coating of olive oil over the raw ribs.2½ lb country style pork ribs, 2 teaspoon olive oil
- Season the ribs with either the seasoning salt, garlic powder, and black pepper, OR with the rib rub. Refrigerate for 30 minutes so flavor and get in the meat.2 teaspoon seasoning salt, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Brush the pork ribs with half the BBQ sauce, saving the rest for the final glazing.¾ cup BBQ sauce
- Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap.
- Set the air fryer to 375 F, no need to even preheat. Cook the ribs for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the ribs are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Brush the remaining BBQ sauce over the cooked ribs and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze becomes sticky and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the air fryer and transfer to a serving plate. Let rest a few minutes so the juices distribute. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Don't Overcrowd the Basket: Cooking the ribs in a single layer ensures even air circulation and optimal crispness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating ensures the ribs cook evenly from the start.
- Cooking Time May Vary: Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your ribs and your air fryer model. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Let Them Rest: Allowing the ribs to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps redistribute the juices and results in even more tender meat.
Sherry says
I made these using the St. Louis Rib Rub. They were amazing!