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Crispy Air Fryer Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Honey BBQ Glaze Easy and Perfect

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Quick and easy baby back ribs cooked in an air fryer with a sticky, sweet honey BBQ glaze that delivers crispy edges and tender meat without the need for slow cooking or grilling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds baby back ribs, trimmed of excess fat and membrane removed
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne (optional)

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs if attached. Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. Season both sides of the ribs generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the spices in to form a light crust.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  4. Place ribs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, bone side down. Cut into smaller sections if needed to fit.
  5. Cook ribs for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs, until edges start to brown and crisp.
  6. While ribs cook, whisk together honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and optional chili powder in a small bowl to make the glaze.
  7. Brush ribs generously with the honey BBQ glaze on both sides.
  8. Return ribs to the air fryer and cook for another 5-7 minutes at 400°F (205°C) to caramelize the glaze and create a crispy coating.
  9. Check for doneness: ribs should be tender with an internal temperature of about 190°F (88°C) for fall-off-the-bone or 160°F (71°C) for firmer texture.
  10. Let ribs rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with extra glaze on the side.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for crispiness. Let seasoned ribs sit 10-15 minutes before cooking if possible. Apply glaze near the end to avoid burning sugars. Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. For a smoky flavor, add a dash of liquid smoke to the dry rub. Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer ribs, baby back ribs, honey BBQ glaze, quick ribs, crispy ribs, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/crispy-air-fryer-baby-back-ribs-recipe-with-honey-bbq-glaze-easy-and-perfect/