Air Fryer 3-2-1 Ribs

Name: Air Fryer 3-2-1 Ribs
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 rack of pork ribs (Cut into 3 sections); 1 cup barbecue sauce (I used Stubbs Sticky Sweet); 1⁄2 cup mustard; 6 tbsp Famous Dave's Rib Rub; 6 tbsp brown sugar (Divided into 1 tbsp amounts); 12 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 cup apple juice (Divided into 3); Olive oil spray; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat); 2 Tbsp Salt; 2 Tbsp Pepper

6 steps

Prep:15minCook:5h

This Air Fryer 3-2-1 Ribs recipe takes a classic smoking method and adapts it for the air fryer. The ribs are first dry-rubbed with a flavorful spice mix, then cooked in three phases: 3 hours unwrapped, 2 hours wrapped in foil, and 1 final hour sauced. The result? Ribs that are incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with barbecue goodness. Perfect for when you want that slow-cooked taste without the fuss of a smoker.

Updated at: Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:38:14 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Moderate

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories821.2 kcal (41%)

Total Fat51.6 g (74%)

Carbs63.7 g (24%)

Sugars50.7 g (56%)

Protein28.6 g (57%)

Sodium6092.8 mg (305%)

Fiber3.8 g (14%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

4 servings

Ingredients

1rack of pork ribs

Cut into 3 sections

1 cupbarbecue sauce

I used, Sticky Sweet

½ cupmustard

6 TbspRib Rub

6 Tbspbrown sugar

Divided into 1 tbsp amounts

12 Tbspunsalted butter

1 cupapple juice

Divided into 3

olive oil spray

Dry Rub (Optional - I used to Famous Daves Rib Rub)

2 Tbspbrown sugar

1 Tbsppaprika

1 Tbspgarlic powder

1 tspcayenne pepper

optional for heat

2 Tbspsalt

2 Tbsppepper

Instructions

Step 1

Prep Work: Clean and Trim: Remove the membrane from the backside of the ribs using a knife to get it started and a piece of paper towel to grab and pull. You may also need to cut the ribs into sections to fit your air fryer.

rack of pork ribs1

Step 2

Prep Work: Binder & Dry Rub (If you're making): Apply mustard to the front and back of each section of ribs. With your hand, rub the mustard all over the ribs until evenly coated. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Apply this rub to both sides of the ribs, pressing it in well.

mustard½ cup

Rib Rub6 Tbsp

Step 3

Three Hours Unwrapped: Preheat your air fryer to 225°F (107°C). Place the rib sections in the air fryer, bone-side down, and cook for 3 hours. Some air fryers only allow for 60min cooking intervals. Just set a timer and add time.

Air FryerHeat

Step 4

Two Hours Wrapped: After 3 hours, take out the ribs. On a piece of aluminum foil, place (2)-1 tbsp pieces and 1 tbsp of brown sugar. Place the rib section down and add the same amount of butter/brown sugar to the top. Pour 1/3 cup into the bottom of each foil pieces. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil. *You should do this 3 times total if you have 3 rib sections. Raise the air fryer temperature to 250°F (120°C). Place the foil-wrapped ribs back in the air fryer and cook for another 2 hours.

Air FryerHeat

brown sugar6 Tbsp

unsalted butter12 Tbsp

apple juice1 cup

Step 5

One Hour Sauced: Unwrap the ribs and discard the foil. Increase the air fryer temperature to 275°F (135°C). Apply a generous layer of barbecue sauce to both sides of the ribs using a basting brush. Place the sauced ribs back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 1 hour. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 195°F (90°C) using a meat thermometer.