Cooking Boneless Pork Ribs in the Air Fryer

Ribs don’t have to take all day in the smoker or fill up an entire platter. Bite-sized ribs, especially those cooked to a crispy finish and dressed with a smoky barbecue sauce, make great party food. Or you can just enjoy them all by yourself for a dinner you won’t soon forget.

Whip up some boneless pork ribs in a flash with the help of your air fryer. The circulating air ensures a quick cooking time and the perfect texture for this cut.

What Are Boneless Pork Ribs?

Technically, all true ribs will contain bones because that’s what gives them their name. Boneless pork ribs aren’t true ribs because they’re cut from the meat found near the shoulder of the pig instead. The meat is sliced into long, narrow pieces that mimic individual rib sections. Yet they’re boneless so you can enjoy the whole thing.

Most boneless pork ribs contain a good amount of fat because they’re cut from the blade end of the shoulder roast. You may also find them labeled country style ribs instead. There are also bone-in country style ribs, again made from the shoulder roast rather than the actual ribs.

Why Use an Air Fryer?

First, the air fryer is a convenient way to cook up a batch of boneless ribs without much mess or hassle. The appliance does all the hard work while you get to enjoy the results.

Second, it’s the key to getting a crispy exterior on the meat that makes these tasty bites similar to chicken wings and other popular snacks.

Third, the air fryer ensures even cooking in a short amount of time as long as you don’t overcrowd the cooking chamber. You can prepare the ribs in batches if you want to make a lot for a crowd.

Preparing the Boneless Pork Ribs

There’s no real need to marinate or brine the boneless pork ribs because they have enough fat in them to stay juicy and flavorful while cooking. Most people settle for a rub or other spice mix applied to the surface.

Since air frying doesn’t involve a lot of oil or liquid, the spices will stay on the surface and contribute plenty of flavor. You can add a few drops of liquid smoke flavoring and rub it over the surface of the ribs if you want the taste of the grill with the convenience of the air fryer.

Make sure the meat is completely defrosted and consider letting it rest on the counter for about 10 minutes so it comes to room temperature for more even cooking.

Preparing the Air Fryer

You’ll need to add a little oil to the fryer basket so the ribs don’t stick. If you like rib bites or riblets, feel free to cut the meat into smaller sections before cooking. You’ll need to flip the rib sections halfway through cooking. Don’t overcrowd the basket.

You want at least a quarter-inch gap between pieces of meat so the air can circulate and cook it all evenly. Use a 375-degree F temperature or medium heat cooking setting.

Flavor Variations

This recipe calls for covering the cooked ribs in your favorite barbecue sauce to mimic a full rack fresh from the grill. However, you can experiment with using almost any thicker sauce you like to put a twist on the recipe. For example, consider a sesame-based sauce you might use for tempura chicken or a spicy chili sauce with plenty of garlic.

Don’t forget about taking inspiration from garlic Parmesan or Buffalo style chicken wings as well. There are many sauces that will pair well with the rich and meaty flavor of these ribs. You can also experiment with the rub you use on the surface and keep the sauces on the side for dipping.

Tips to Cooking Perfect Boneless Pork Ribs in the Air Fryer

• Check the internal temperature of a few pieces of the meat to determine if it’s done or not. The pork should reach 145 degrees F inside. Use an instant-read thermometer for accurate results even with small pieces of meat.
• Consider cooking at a lower heat setting for the first 20 minutes, then turning the air fryer to 400 degrees F or high heat for the last few minutes. This helps set the sauce and adds some crispiness to the edges.
• You’ll need some tongs and a basting brush for the final step of the recipe. It’s a great chance to use your grilling tools when it’s not the right weather for cooking outside.
• If you’re trying to fit more ribs in the air fryer basket without crowding them, consider setting them up on their narrow sides. Just take care loading the basket into the fryer so they don’t fall over and overlap each other.
• Try your favorite pork or BBQ rub instead of these spices to see which you prefer.

Air Fryer Boneless Pork Ribs Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 lbs country style boneless pork ribs
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fine Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
• ½ cup any barbecue sauce.

Instructions

1. Mix the spices, salt, and pepper. Rub it onto the surface of the pork ribs.

2. Set the air fryer to 375 degrees F or a medium heat setting. Place the ribs on the basket, leaving at least a 1/4th inch gap between the pieces.

3. Cook for 20 minutes. Take the ribs out of the fryer basket with tongs. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F or a high heat setting. Brush the barbecue sauce on the ribs, then cook them for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Add half a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for some extra spice.

Conclusion

Ready for grabbing and enjoying, these messy but delicious ribs don’t require a smoker or grill. Your friends won’t guess that you only used the air fryer to cook boneless pork ribs that are this good.