Tender BBQ Ribs in the Air Fryer

Game day is a family event here, and while I’m all in for the game, I’m also in it for the food! BBQ baby back ribs are always a crowd favorite and they’re a breeze to make in the air fryer. These pork ribs are seasoned with a brown sugar spice rub, air-fried until perfectly tender, then brushed with BBQ sauce. They are fall-off-the-bone tender and couldn’t be easier to make. If you want more Air Fryer dinner recipes, be sure to try my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken and Air Fryer BBQ Burgers, too! Game day eats don’t get much better than these deliciously sticky and satisfying BBQ ribs! It’s the perfect football Sunday food.

How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Ribs

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Serving Suggestions

These air fryer BBQ ribs are great served with other game day appetizers and snacks, or any of your favorite BBQ side dishes!

Crockpot Chex Mix Loaded Potato Skins Homemade Tortilla Chips Poblano Queso

No matter how you serve them, these BBQ ribs are always a hit! These air fryer ribs are perfectly tender every time! They’re the perfect BBQ dish.

Can I use a pre-made spice rub?

Absolutely! I love making my own spice mix to customize the blend of flavors, but a store-bought spice rub will be just as delicious. Use about 2-3 tablespoons of a pre-made spice mix!

How do I remove the skin off of the ribs?

Often, baby back ribs come with a thin membrane on the back of the ribs. You can certainly keep the membrane on, but the ribs will be chewier. To remove the membrane, use a sharp knife to life it away from the ribs and pull to remove it. Check out this slow cooker ribs post for a video at the bottom showing how to remove it. Your butcher can also complete this step for you!

Can I make these ribs ahead of time?

Definitely. Make the spice rub and rub it over the ribs. Keep the ribs covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Continue with the recipe and cook as instructed. Cooked ribs are best enjoyed fresh, but reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 300°F for 5-10 minutes.

More Game Day Recipes We Love

Beef Sheet Pan Nachos Instant Pot Pulled Pork Caramelized Onion Swiss Burgers Crockpot Queso Taco Dip

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious addition to game day, these air fryer BBQ ribs have you covered!

More Easy Ribs Recipes to Try:

Crockpot Hawaiian Ribs Instant Pot BBQ Ribs Smoked Ribs St. Louis Grilled Ribs Oven Baked Ribs Honey Bourbon Short Ribs Maple BBQ Ribs

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