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

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This recipe delivers tender, juicy baby back ribs with a crispy exterior using an air fryer and a sweet, smoky brown sugar BBQ glaze. Ready in under 45 minutes, it’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 rack baby back ribs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), trimmed of excess fat and membrane removed
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for glaze)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (for glaze)
  • Pinch of salt (for glaze)
  • Cooking spray or vegetable oil for greasing the air fryer basket

Instructions

  1. Remove the silver skin membrane from the back of the ribs by sliding a knife under and pulling gently. Pat ribs dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper if using. Rub evenly all over the ribs. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Whisk together brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt until smooth to make the BBQ glaze.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Lightly grease the air fryer basket. Place ribs bone-side down and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook another 10 minutes.
  6. Brush a generous layer of the brown sugar BBQ glaze on both sides of the ribs. Cook in the air fryer at 400°F (205°C) for 5 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
  7. Brush on a second layer of glaze and cook for 5 more minutes at 400°F (205°C), watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Remove ribs and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut between bones and serve with extra glaze if desired.

Notes

Remove the membrane for tender ribs. Preheat the air fryer for crispiness. Apply glaze twice to avoid burning and achieve a sticky caramelized crust. If glaze thickens too much, spritz with water or apple cider vinegar. Cut ribs into smaller sections if air fryer basket is small to avoid overcrowding.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer ribs, baby back ribs, BBQ glaze, brown sugar ribs, quick ribs, crispy ribs, easy ribs recipe, barbecue ribs

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