Air Fryer BBQ Ribs Recipe

Name: Air Fryer BBQ Ribs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 rack ribs (baby back or spare ribs); 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (Optional; smoked salt works great, too.); 2-3 tablespoons pork or BBQ rub (I used my Homemade Rub linked in the notes below); salt and pepper to taste; ½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Prep:15minCook:30min

Let’s be real, I live in Kansas City, where BBQ is serious business. Good ribs aren’t optional here. If a recipe can impress in the BBQ capital, you know it’s legit. I've been air frying since 2016, back when folks would side eye a plate of air fryer ribs. Making ribs in the air fryer might sound like a shortcut, but when they’re done right, they’re tender, saucy, and full of flavor, not dry, and certainly not tough. I've done the hard work and testing so you don't have to!

Updated at: Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:26:33 GMT