These Air Fryer Short Ribs are marinated in a blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar along with garlic and ginger for a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor.
Cooked in the air fryer until the meat turns out super tender and juicy, these delicious short ribs are ready to be paired with your favorite sides for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
If you love easy air fryer recipes, you’ll love these succulent salmon bites, these garlic parmesan wings, and this air fried catfish.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Short Ribs Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The marinade packs a punch of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors that infuse the succulent short ribs with an irresistible taste.
- Tender and Juicy: Air frying locks in the natural juices, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth tender short ribs that are unbelievably moist.
- Quick and Convenient: Using an air fryer as well as simple ingredients significantly cuts down on the cooking time compared to traditional methods, making this a perfect weeknight meal.
- Minimal Cleanup: Air frying eliminates the need for excessive oil, resulting in a healthier dish and less mess to clean up.
- Versatile: This short ribs recipe can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences, and the leftovers can be repurposed in various dishes.
Ingredients
- Soy Sauce: Serves as the base for the marinade, imparting a rich and savory flavor to this short rib recipe. For a gluten-free option, you can use tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos instead.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness which balances out the saltiness of the soy sauce and also helps to create a delightful caramelized crust on the ribs during air frying. If you don't have brown sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang to the marinade, brightening up the flavors and cutting through the richness of the short ribs. If you don't have rice vinegar on hand, feel free to use white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice as a substitute.
- Sesame Oil: With its distinct nutty aroma, sesame oil adds depth and flavor to the marinade. If you don't have sesame oil, you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Garlic and Ginger: The garlic provides a robust and aromatic base for the marinade while the fresh ginger adds hints of zesty and a slighty spicy flavor.
- Bone-In Beef Short Ribs: Beef short ribs are a flavorful cut of beef from the cow's rib area. They are perfect for air frying, slow-cooking, or grilling. They are available in English-cut (thick, single bone) or Flanken-cut (thin, cross-cut with multiple bones). You can use spare ribs, Korean short ribs, or baby back ribs as substitutes.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Spice them up: For a touch of heat, add cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or sriracha to the marinade.
- For a deeper savory flavor: Add a touch of Worcestershire sauce to the marinade for more of a deep, savory flavor.
- Go for a barbecue flavor: Instead of the marinade, use your favorite barbecue sauce.
- Try a Mediterranean-inspired marinade: Combine olive oil with your favorite Mediterranean spices as the marinade.
How to Make Short Ribs in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Make the marinade. Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger together.
Step 2: Marinate the ribs. Add the short ribs to the marinade and turn to coat all over. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 3: Place short ribs in air fryer. Remove the ribs from the marinade and place in the air fryer in a single layer.
Step 4: Cook. Air fry the ribs for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
If you love easy air fryer dinners, you might also enjoy this Air Fryer Filet Mignon.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Allow the cooked tender ribs to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, place the cooled ribs in a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible. Freeze the ribs for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for the best results.
- Reheat: Place leftover refrigerated ribs in the air fryer basket and reheat at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they are warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer short ribs go well with a variety sides to create exciting and delicious meals perfect to serve for a special occasion or weeknight dinner.
- Pair these ribs with this strawberry and spinach salad, this asparagus salad, or this Greek lentil salad.
- Make and serve with these air fryer hasselback potatoes, these parmesan potatoes, or these garlic potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Crispy Ribs: Pat the ribs dry before air frying and spray or brush with a light coat of oil before air frying for a crispier exterior.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Ribs: Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket to promote even cooking.
- Let the Ribs Rest: Letting the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld.
- Save Leftover Marinade: Save any leftover marinade for basting or making a delicious sauce to serve alongside the ribs. You'll want to be sure to boil it before using since it has had contact with raw meat.
- Making a Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together some cornstarch and water, then add it to the leftover marinade and simmer until thickened.
FAQ
While an air fryer is recommended for this recipe, you can also cook the ribs in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and then place the ribs on a wire rack that's set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake the ribs for 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until the delicious ribs reach your desired doneness.
Make sure to let the excess marinade drip off the boneless short ribs before placing them in the air fryer. You can also line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper to catch any drips.
More Delicious Rib Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Short Ribs In Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- Shallow Dish or Ziplock Bag
- Tongs or Fork for Flipping
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons fresh garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 2-3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
Instructions
- In a shallow dish or Ziplock bag, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Add the short ribs to the marinade and turn to coat all over. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Remove the marinated short ribs from the marinade, letting any excess marinade drip off. Place the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they aren't overlapping.
- Cook them for 20-25 minutes, flipping the ribs over halfway through cooking. Check for doneness using a meat thermometer - your air fryer ribs should reach an internal temperature of 145°F for medium-rare or 160°F for well-done. If needed, cook them for 5-10 more minutes.
- Remove the juicy ribs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Crispy Ribs: Pat the ribs dry before air frying and spray or brush with a light coat of oil before air fryer for a crispier exterior.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Ribs: Arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket to promote even cooking.
- Let the Ribs Rest: Letting the ribs rest for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld.
- Save Leftover Marinade: Save any leftover marinade for basting or making a delicious sauce to serve alongside the ribs. You'll want to be sure to boil it before using since it has had contact with raw meat.
- Making a Thicker Sauce: If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together some cornstarch and water, then add it to the leftover marinade and simmer until thickened.
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