Reheat Ribs in the Air Fryer

Whether you love pork ribs or beef ribs, reheating leftover ribs can be a daunting job. Reheating ribs in the air fryer elevates them to the next level! You do not have to compromise on taste, juiciness, or texture.

My husband enjoys smoking ribs on the grill and they turn out delicious! Grilling is a laborious task and can take up the whole day. Knowing that we can reheat ribs in the air fryer, we have started making a little extra and freezing it for later. Next time you smoke ribs, make a double batch so you can have the leftovers another day.

📝 Why This Works

✔️Crispy and juicy – Reheating ribs in the air fryer makes the exterior crispy while locking in the moisture on the inside.

✔️Minimum effort – It takes only a few minutes to reheat ribs due to the hot air circulation and quick heating time. Unlike an oven, you do not need to wait for it to preheat.

✔️Meal prep friendly – When cooking ribs, consider making extra for meal prep. We like to freeze the ribs in a vacuum-sealed bag and reheat them for an easy meal.

🐷 Ingredients

🛒 Cooked Ribs – Whether you have baby back ribs or a St. Louis rack of ribs, you should be able to use the air fryer to reheat them. Depending on the size of the ribs and whether or not the bones are in, your cooking time may vary.

⏲️ Equipment and Tools

✅ Air fryer – Any brand of air fryer will work for this recipe. I use my Ninja air fryer.

✅ Air fryer liner – A liner will catch any drippings or grease that may come out of the ribs. I like my silicone liner, but you can use single-use liners.

✅ Tongs – Tongs will be your best friend as ribs are delicate and can fall off the bone after reheating. They will also protect your hands from burning.

✅ Meat thermometer – A meat thermometer will tell you whether the reheated ribs satisfy USDA recommendations. For pork ribs and beef ribs, the safe internal temperature is 145°F.

✅ Brush or spray bottle – Optionally, you may want to brush BBQ sauce or spray apple cider vinegar if you find that the ribs have dried out in the fridge.

🔥 Instructions

👉Step 1: Thaw refrigerated ribs on the counter for 10-15 minutes, or until it comes to room temperature. If you have frozen ribs, try defrosting in a cold water bath or leaving it in the refrigerator overnight. Do not defrost frozen ribs at room temperature as it can lead to bacteria growth!

👉Step 2: Once the ribs are thawed, place them in the air fryer basket with enough room for hot air to flow. Heat on 375°F for 5-7 minutes for THIN RIBS LIKE BABY BACK. Cook for 7-10 minutes for THICK RIBS LIKE BEEF CHUCK RIBS. Keep an eye on the food and check halfway through. Once the meat thermometer reads 145°F, take the ribs out and enjoy!

❗ Recipe Tips and Tricks

📌 Let air circulate – Leave the ribs just enough space for airflow and only do a single layer at a time. You might have to do batches, depending on how much you have.

📌 Add moisture – If the leftover ribs look a little dry, spray some apple cider vinegar before air frying. They are often used in the grilling process, and they can add some flavor to the ribs while reheating. Another option is to brush on some barbecue sauce to make it extra juicy.

🧑‍🍳 Storage and Reheating

Once ribs have been reheated, it is less safe to store them further. If you should refrigerate air-fried leftover ribs, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. To freeze them, you can wrap each piece in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container. They will last longer in the freezer if you use vacuum-sealed bags.

✔️ Other Ways To Reheat Ribs

Alternative methods of reheating ribs are as follows:

👉Oven – Preheat the oven to 250°F. Place the ribs on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove the cover and add BBQ sauce or seasonings as desired in the last 10 minutes of oven reheating.

👉Smoker – If you don’t mind heating the smoker to reheat ribs, you can do so at 250°F. Protect the ribs by either placing them on a sheet pan or wrapping them in double layers of foil. Smoke until the meat thermometer reads 145°F.

👉Pan – You can reheat ribs on the stove. Place the ribs on a pan and cook on low heat with the lids closed for about 20 minutes.

👉Microwave – Microwaving will save some time, but it may reheat unevenly. Place the ribs in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with a paper towel. Heat at 30-second intervals at a time, keeping an eye on the ribs.

👉Steamer – If you have ever steamed meat, you know it comes out tender. It may not have a crispy texture anymore, but it is easier to eat. Add a quarter cup of water or apple juice to the bottom of your steaming pan. Steam on low for about 30 minutes, depending on the size of your ribs.

👉Sous vide – Start a water bath in a large pot. The sous vide machine should read at 165°F. Place a vacuum-sealed bag or ziplock bag of ribs in the water bath, and slowly cook until the ribs are thoroughly reheated.

🏈 Serving Suggestions

⭐Crunchy sides – I served these ribs with some tortilla chips on the side. If you want a healthier but crunchy side, try making these Air Fryer Zucchini Chips.

⭐Dipping sauce – Have delicious dipping sauces on hand for ribs, such as BBQ sauce or ranch.

⭐Game day sides – Ribs are a big part of game days. Spruce up your reheated ribs with classic game-day dishes, such as macaroni and cheese, beans, chicken wings, or french fries.

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❓ Recipe FAQ