Easy Sticky Air Fryer Ribs only 4 Ingredients

These easy sticky air fryer ribs are delicious! I cannot believe my air fryer can have tender, delicious air fried ribs in 45 minutes. With just four simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have delicious, flavorful sticky pork ribs that are perfect for any occasion.

This air fry ribs recipe is a great option for those who want to enjoy the flavor and texture of bbq ribs without having to fire up the grill.

This pork ribs in air fryer was inspired by my other air fryer recipes on this site Air Fryer Steak Bites with Cowboy Butter and pairs well with this amazing Garlic Fried Rice recipe. 

Jump to:

• Why you will love this Sticky Air Fryer Ribs recipe
• What you need to make Air Fryer Ribs
• How to cook ribs in air fryer
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Ribs
• 3 Top Tips for Success
• Air Fryer FAQs
• Related
• Pairing
• Easy Sticky Air Fryer Ribs only 4 Ingredients
• Food safety

Why you will love this Sticky Air Fryer Ribs recipe

• Incredibly easy to make: With just a few basic ingredients and an air fryer, you can have delicious, fall-off-the-bone ribs on the dinner table in just an hour. No need for a complicated marinade or hours of slow cooking, making this easy recipe the perfect choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

• Packed with flavor: The combination of hoisin sauce, ketchup, and sweet Thai chili sauce gives these juicy ribs in air fryer a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. Plus, cooking the ribs in the air fryer helps to lock in moisture and enhance the flavors even more, resulting in tender, juicy meat with a deliciously sticky glaze.

• Healthier alternative: Traditional ribs are often loaded with fat and calories, but air frying them allows you to enjoy the flavor and texture of classic ribs with less oil and fat. This delicious recipe uses lean pork ribs and a minimal amount of oil, perfect for anyone who wants to indulge in their favorite comfort food without guilt.

What you need to make Air Fryer Ribs

• Pork ribs cut into riblets 
• Hoisin sauce
• Ketchup
• Sweet Thai chili sauce

See recipe card for quantities.

How to cook ribs in air fryer

Here’s how to cook ribs in air fryer:

• Start by removing the lining from the back of the racks of pork ribs and cut them into riblets. Then, mix together ½ cup of hoisin sauce, ½ cup of ketchup, and ½ cup of sweet Thai chili sauce in a large bowl. Set aside ½ cup of the sauce for basting later.
  
• Next, place the pork ribs in the bowl and mix well until every piece is coated with the sauce mixture. Transfer the ribs to the air fryer basket and set the air fryer to 325 degrees for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure every piece gets crispy and caramelized.
  
• After 40 minutes, check the ribs for tenderness. If they’re not quite tender enough, add another 10 minutes of cooking time. Once the ribs are tender, add the remaining sauce to the ribs and turn up the heat to 350 degrees for another 10 minutes. Check the ribs every 3 minutes and flip them so that every piece gets caramelized.
  
• That’s it – with just a few simple steps, you can have delicious, sticky ribs that are sure to be a hit with family and friends. Give these easy air fryer ribs a try and taste the difference for yourself!

Substitutions

Here are some substitution options for each ingredient in this easy sticky air fryer ribs recipe:

• Pork ribs: Spare ribs and baby back ribs in air fryer are the ideal pork cuts for this, however, they tend to be double the price. I prefer them but use what you feel like.  
  
  If you don’t eat or prefer air fryer bbq ribs, you can substitute it with beef ribs, lamb ribs, or even chicken wings or drumsticks.

• Hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce is a sweet and savory sauce that is commonly used in Chinese cuisine. If you don’t have hoisin sauce on hand, you can substitute it with a mixture of soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and five-spice powder.

• Ketchup: Ketchup is a sweet and tangy tomato-based sauce that adds depth of flavor to the ribs. If you don’t have ketchup on hand, you can use tomato paste or tomato sauce mixed with sugar, vinegar, and spices.
  

• Sweet Thai chili sauce: Sweet Thai chili sauce is a mildly spicy and sweet sauce that adds a delicious kick to the ribs. If you don’t have sweet Thai chili sauce, you can substitute it with a mixture of chili flakes, sugar, vinegar, and garlic.
  
  

Note that substituting the ingredients may change the overall taste and texture of the recipe. It’s always a good idea to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your preference.

Variations

Here are a few variations of this best air fryer ribs recipe that you can try:

1. Spicy Version: For a spicier version of air fry ribs, add more chili flakes to the sauce mixture or substitute the sweet Thai chili sauce with a spicier hot sauce like sriracha.
   
2. Garlic and Ginger: Add some minced garlic and grated ginger to the sauce mixture for an extra burst of flavor.
   
3. Honey Mustard: Substitute the hoisin sauce with honey mustard for a tangy and sweet twist on this classic recipe.
   
4. Barbecue Sauce: Swap the hoisin sauce, ketchup, and sweet Thai chili sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce for a more traditional, smoky flavor.

5. Lemon Pepper: Mix together lemon juice and black pepper and use it to season the ribs before coating with the sauce mixture. This will give the ribs a fresh, citrusy flavor.
   
6. Dry Rub: Instead of using a sauce mixture, coat the ribs in a spice rub made with paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper. Air fry the ribs until crispy and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
   

Note that you can always adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preference and experiment with different flavor combinations.

Equipment

• Air Fryer 
• Knife 
• Cutting board
• Bowls

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Ribs

To store leftover easy sticky air fryer ribs, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat the ribs, there are a few different methods you can use:

1. Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. Place the leftover ribs in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
   
2. Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the ribs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
   
3. Microwave: Place the leftover ribs on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
   

Note that reheating the ribs in the air fryer or oven will give you the best results, as it will help to restore the crispy texture. If using the microwave, the ribs may not be as crispy, but will still be delicious.

Air Fryer FAQs

Related

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Pairing

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Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 145 °F (63 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.