Air Fryer Beef Short Ribs
Published Mar 03, 2026
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Air fryer short ribs are one of my favorite family dinners for rich, tender beef that’s fall-apart tender without hours of braising. In fact, this easy family dinner is ready to eat in just over 30 minutes.
🔍Quick Look: Air Fryer Short Ribs
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🍳 Cook Time: 25–30 minutes (including flipping)
- 🕒 Total Time: About 30–35 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 3–4
- 🥩 Protein: Beef short ribs
- 🔥 Cook Method: Dry rub + air frying at 375°F
- 🌡️ Target Internal Temp: ~190°F for fall-apart tenderness
- 🍖 Bone-In or Boneless: Both work (bone-in has more flavor)
- 🍯 Optional Finish: BBQ glaze or beef stock and wine reduction
- ⭐ Difficulty: Air fryer short ribs are easy and great for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining
This simple recipe makes short ribs that are deeply browned on the outside, with juices that pool after resting and meat that pulls easily with a fork. It’s great for a hearty weeknight dinner or as an impressive main dish for any time.
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I’ve developed this recipe for thick English-cut short ribs. If using flanken-style ribs, see the cooking chart below for adjusted timing.
Why I Love These Easy Short Ribs
I love these air fryer short ribs for dinner on a weeknight and I think you will too. This recipe makes mouthwatering ribs that have a big, beefy flavor and a crispy, browned outside, and I don’t have to watch a pot for hours.
I also like how flexible this short ribs air fryer recipe is. You can keep them simple with the dry rub, add BBQ sauce for the classic sticky glaze, or make them look even better with a beef stock and red wine reduction. Plan on about [25–30 minutes] of cooking time and get the ribs ready while the air fryer heats up to keep dinner quick.
Here are some of my other favorite air fryer main dishes, for your “what to make next” menu planning.
- Air fryer scallops
- Air fryer chicken bbq
- Air fryer rockfish
- Juicy air fryer turkey burgers
- Brats in the air fryer
If you’re looking for another easy and delicious ribs recipe, try our instant pot ribs with an orange and whiskey glaze, our family loves them!
Table of Contents
- 🔍Quick Look: Air Fryer Short Ribs
- Why I Love These Easy Short Ribs
- Ingredients and Notes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Air Fryer Short Ribs Cooking Chart (By Cut)
- How to Make Short Ribs in the Air Fryer
- Common Questions
- What Goes with Short Ribs
- How to Store and Reheat Short Ribs
- Air Fryer Beef Short Ribs Recipe
- More of the Best Air Fryer Recipes
Ingredients and Notes
I love the short list of simple pantry ingredients for these delicious short ribs. I think you will too!
What Type of Short Ribs Work Best
I tested this simple short ribs recipe using 2-inch thick English-cut bone-in short ribs in a basket-style air fryer at 375°F. Flanken-style ribs are thinner and cook faster at higher heat.
- Look for meaty ribs: Choose pieces with plenty of meat on top of the bone and visible marbling. Remember: Fat equals flavor and tenderness after cooking.
- English cut is ideal: Thick, rectangular “English cut” short ribs work best in the air fryer and are less likely to dry out than thin flanken-style ribs.
- Uniform size matters: Try to select ribs that are the same thickness which will help them to cook evenly.
- Bone-in vs boneless: Bone-in ribs generally have better flavor and stay juicier, but boneless ribs are easier to serve and still work well.
- Quality counts: USDA Choice or Prime will give the most tender results due to higher marbling. Select grade can be used, but may be slightly less tender. I love ordering short ribs and other meat from Snake River Farms, their quality and freshness are always second-to-none.
I’ve learned that from a cooking standpoint, well-marbled beef short ribs benefit from higher internal temperatures, which is why cooking to about 190°F produces that classic fall-apart texture.
Substitutions and Variations
You can make this short ribs recipe with different cuts and flavors, and once you know how the thickness affects the cooking time, they are very versatile.
Different Kinds of Cuts
I use thick, English-cut bone-in short ribs for the best results. They stay juicier and have a better feel. Boneless ribs are a good option because they usually cook faster. Cut down on the cooking time a lot and keep a close eye on them if you are using flanken-style (thin cross-cut) ribs. They can cook too much very quickly in the air fryer.
Seasoning Choices
To make a bolder-tasting crust for these air fryer short ribs, I usually use steak seasoning or Montreal seasoning instead of the spice mix. A little chili powder or cumin adds flavor. Adding a little brown sugar to the rub will give it a sweeter finish and also a caramelized crust, similar to our mouth-watering grilled jerk beef recipe.
Use a Marinade
For a more exotic taste, I soak the ribs in soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, and a little vinegar or lemon juice to make them taste better. To make sure the ribs brown correctly, always dry them with a paper towel before air frying.
Sauces and Finishing Touches
A dry rub makes these short ribs in the air fryer taste great, but adding BBQ sauce in the last five minutes makes them shine. I will serve them with a quick reduction of red wine and beef stock to make the presentation look nicer.
Reduced-Sodium Option
It’s easy to use a seasoning mix that doesn’t have salt in it and rely on the natural flavor of the beef if you want to cut back on sodium. A little bit of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes is usually enough to make things hot.
Air Fryer Short Ribs Cooking Chart (By Cut)
| Cut Type | Temperature | Cook Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| English-cut (bone-in) | 375°F | 25–35 min | Flip halfway. Start checking at 190°F; continue in short intervals until fork-tender. |
| English-cut (boneless) | 375°F | 20–30 min | Usually finishes faster than bone-in. Flip halfway and check tenderness. |
| Flanken / Korean-style (thin cross-cut) | 400°F | 8–15 min | Thin cut cooks fast. Flip/shake as needed and monitor closely to avoid overcooking. |
Always cook until the meat pulls easily with a fork. If the ribs are not tender at 190°, you should continue cooking in short intervals.
How to Make Short Ribs in the Air Fryer
The first step in any air fryer recipe is to preheat it, just like you would in a conventional oven. For these air-fryer short ribs, preheat your air fryer to 375°.
Next, use paper towels to pat the meat dry so the air fryer short ribs get nice and crispy.
- Brush a coating of olive oil on both sides of the uncooked short ribs.
- Evenly apply the dry seasoning to both sides of the short ribs.
- Place the short ribs in the air fryer basket. Be sure they are not touching each other.
- Air fry for 15 minutes.
- Flip each piece of meat and air fry for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 190° F (88° C.) I suggest using this instant-read thermometer, which I use for all of my meat and drool-worthy fish recipes, from this Thomas Keller roast chicken to my fail-safe smoked salmon on the Traeger.
Expert Recipe Tip
Allow the air fryer short ribs to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the meat fibers to reabsorb some of the juices and help lock in that bold beef flavor that makes this recipe shine.
Common Questions
Air fryer short ribs take about 25 to 30 minutes to make in an air fryer. These air fryer short ribs should have an internal temperature of 190°, for fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
I prefer using an air fryer to make short ribs. They can be made in about 30 minutes, I don’t have to heat up my big kitchen oven, and I get delicious results!
These air fryer short ribs do not need to be wrapped in foil. When they come out of the air fryer, you can tent them loosely with foil for 5 minutes before serving.
What Goes with Short Ribs
If you’re looking for a good side dish to go with ribs, the sky is the limit. You can start out with some homemade crusty bread or Amish dinner rolls to help soak up the tasty juices.
Some of my favorite veggie side dishes for ribs are oven-roasted rainbow carrots, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, and my popular baked beans from the instant pot.
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If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, you can also add a portion of rigatoni mac and cheese. I promise that no one will leave the dinner table hungry!
How to Store and Reheat Short Ribs
Refrigerator
- Store in an airtight container
- Lasts up to 4 days
- Best kept whole to maintain moisture
Freezer
- Wrap tightly and store in a freezer-safe container (hint: make a note of the date.)
- Can freeze up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat
Reheat in Air Fryer (Best Method)
- Preheat the air fryer to 350° (Important step!)
- Reheat for 4-8 minutes, flipping halfway
- Reheat just until heated through to prevent drying
Reheat in Oven
- Cover and heat at 325°
- Warm until heated through
- Add a splash of beef broth for added moisture in needed
Important: Avoid overheating. Short ribs can dry out fast if reheated too long.
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Air Fryer Beef Short Ribs
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Your favorite BBQ sauce, optional, for glazing
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the ribs: Pat the short ribs dry with paper towels to remove any moisture. This helps them crisp up in the air fryer.
- Season the ribs: Rub olive oil over the ribs, then sprinkle the salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder evenly on all sides.
- Arrange in the air fryer: Place the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t touching to ensure even cooking.
- Cook: Air fry for 15 minutes, then flip the ribs and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C) for fall-apart tenderness. You’ll know the air fryer short ribs are ready when the outside has deep browning, the internal temperature has reached at least 190°F, and the meat pulls easily with a fork. After resting for 5 minutes, you should see juices pool slightly on the cutting board, which is a sign the ribs are tender and properly cooked.
- Optional glaze: If you prefer saucy ribs, brush your favorite BBQ sauce on the ribs during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Rest and serve: Let the ribs rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute for maximum flavor.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Cooking in batches may be necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the ribs are cooked to perfection.
- Resting is key: Allowing the ribs to rest after cooking helps lock in those juices.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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