Tender and Delicious BBQ Pork Ribs Made in an Air Fryer
The Ultimate Home Party Menu Everyone Loves! Easy Air Fryer BBQ Pork Ribs Recipe for Beginners
The perfect choice for kids’ birthday parties, family celebrations, or delightful home gatherings with friends is homemade BBQ Pork Ribs. You can easily create a stunning dish at home that rivals any restaurant. Especially by using an air fryer, you can make incredibly tender and juicy pork ribs quickly and conveniently, without any complicated steps. This recipe is ideal for entertaining guests and will make your special occasions even more memorable!
Key Ingredients for BBQ Pork Ribs- 2 racks of pork back ribs (approx. 1kg or 2.2 lbs)
Parboiling Ingredients (Essential for Removing Odors!)- 1/2 cup Soju (or cooking wine, approx. 100ml)
- 3-4 Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Whole peppercorns
- 1 large stalk of green onion (cut into large pieces)
Fantastic BBQ Sauce – The Golden Ratio- 4 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Korean plum extract (Maesil-cheong)
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup, adjust sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Store-bought chili sauce (adjust spiciness)
- 2-3 Tbsp Store-bought steak sauce (for extra flavor!)
- 1 Tbsp Whole grain mustard (adds a lovely texture and flavor)
- Pinch of Black pepper
- Pinch of Ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger)
- 1/2 cup Soju (or cooking wine, approx. 100ml)
- 3-4 Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Whole peppercorns
- 1 large stalk of green onion (cut into large pieces)
Fantastic BBQ Sauce – The Golden Ratio- 4 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Korean plum extract (Maesil-cheong)
- 2 Tbsp Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup, adjust sweetness)
- 2 Tbsp Oyster sauce
- 2 Tbsp Store-bought chili sauce (adjust spiciness)
- 2-3 Tbsp Store-bought steak sauce (for extra flavor!)
- 1 Tbsp Whole grain mustard (adds a lovely texture and flavor)
- Pinch of Black pepper
- Pinch of Ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the pork ribs in cold water for about 30 minutes to remove any blood. This step is crucial for a clean taste without any gamey odor. In a pot or deep pan, add enough water to cover the ribs. Toss in the Soju, bay leaves, whole peppercorns, and the large pieces of green onion. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pork ribs and simmer for about 10 minutes. This process effectively removes impurities and unwanted smells. After parboiling, rinse the ribs thoroughly under cold running water and drain them well.
Step 2
While the ribs are parboiling, let’s make the delicious BBQ sauce! In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 2 Tbsp plum extract, 2 Tbsp oligosaccharide, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce, 2 Tbsp chili sauce, 2-3 Tbsp steak sauce, 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of ginger powder. Whisk or stir well until all ingredients are smoothly combined. Your flavorful BBQ sauce is now ready!
Step 3
Pat the parboiled ribs completely dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture can cause splattering or make the ribs soggy during cooking. Arrange the dried ribs in your air fryer basket. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil for a beautiful finish. If your air fryer has a steam function, use it for 10 minutes. Otherwise, set it to bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes for the first pre-bake. This initial cooking helps the ribs cook through gently and lock in their juices.
Step 4
Remove the ribs from the air fryer after the first pre-bake. Using a brush, generously coat both sides of the ribs with the prepared BBQ sauce. Ensure the sauce adheres well to the meat. Return the sauced ribs to the air fryer and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes on each side, totaling 10 minutes for the second bake. This allows the sauce to caramelize and meld with the rib flavors.
Step 5
Now it’s time to layer on the flavor one more time! After the second bake, take out the ribs and brush them again with the remaining BBQ sauce. Place them back into the air fryer and bake at 180°C (350°F) for an additional 3 minutes per side, for a total of 6 minutes. The sauce will lightly caramelize, giving the BBQ ribs a beautiful, glossy finish. Keep an eye on them during this stage to prevent burning.
Step 6
Arrange the beautifully cooked BBQ pork ribs on a large platter. For a complete and satisfying meal, serve them with a fresh green salad, some roasted vegetables (like broccoli, bell peppers, and onions), and creamy mashed potatoes. Enjoy a wonderful home party feast with your family and these delicious, homemade BBQ pork ribs!