How to Reheat Ribs in Air Fryer
on Apr 08, 2025
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Reheating ribs in the air fryer is the ultimate way to bring those smoky, saucy leftovers back to life quickly. It is the weeknight hack you didn’t know you needed! When you’ve got leftover ribs from your last BBQ, this method brings them back with a beautiful bark, tender meat, and that smoky, saucy flavor that made them great in the first place. Whether you’re working with dry-rubbed pork ribs or beef ribs slathered in BBQ sauce, the air fryer heats them evenly in under 10 minutes—no rubbery microwave ribs here.
Perfect for busy nights, game-day snacking, or when you’re just not ready to let go of yesterday’s BBQ vibes!
Table of Contents
- 🤤 Why You Should Reheat Ribs in Air Fryer
- 🗒️ Ingredients For Leftover Ribs in Air Fryer
- 👨🍳 How To Bring Ribs Back to Life
- 🔥 Pro Tips For Reviving Ribs in Air Fryer
- 🤔 Substitutions And Variation
- 🧊 Storing And Reheating Ribs
- 🍗 More Ribs!
- ❓ Questions And Answers
- CONNECT WITH A LICENSE TO GRILL!
- How to Reheat Ribs in Air Fryer Recipe
🤤 Why You Should Reheat Ribs in Air Fryer
- Super Fast And Easy – Give new life to your leftover smoked BBQ ribs in about 5 minutes!
- Perfect Outside, Juicy Inside – The air fryer revives ribs with that craveable bark without drying them out.
- Perfect For Any Kind Of Rib – Baby back ribs, spare ribs, beef ribs, boneless or bone-in… you name it!
- Low Effort, Big Flavor – No fancy tricks are needed, just a little sauce or spritz, and the air fryer does the rest.
🗒️ Ingredients For Leftover Ribs in Air Fryer
- Leftover Ribs – Bone-in or boneless, pork or beef, dry-rubbed or sauced.
- Optional: BBQ Sauce – To brush on before air frying the ribs.
- Optional: Apple Juice or Cider – To keep the ribs extra moist.
👨🍳 How To Bring Ribs Back to Life
- Preheat Your Air Fryer – To 360°F and let it preheat for 2–3 minutes.
- Prep The Ribs – Fully thaw your ribs and cut them into smaller portions.
- Add Sauce (Optional) – Lightly brush the ribs with BBQ sauce. You can also spritz the ribs with apple juice or apple cider.
- Air Fry the Ribs – Use parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place the ribs in the air fryer. Cook in the air fryer at 360°F for 5–6 minutes.
- Check For Doneness – Internal temp should be around 165°F.
🔥 Pro Tips For Reviving Ribs in Air Fryer
- Avoid Overcrowding – Don’t pile the ribs on top of each other. Make sure there is plenty of space for the ribs to heat evenly.
- Spritz for Moisture – A little apple juice or cider in a spray bottle adds moisture without drowning the meat.
- Use A Meat Thermometer – Check to make sure that the internal temp hits 165°F.
- Don’t Skip The Flip – Flipping the ribs halfway through helps avoid soggy bottoms and promotes even warming through all of the ribs.
- Reheat in Batches – If you’ve got more than 1 pound of ribs, reheat in batches instead of crowding the basket. You’ll get way better results.
🤔 Substitutions And Variation
- Beef or Pork – This method works great for all kinds of ribs. Baby back ribs, spare ribs, boneless or bone-in ribs, or even beef ribs.
- Different Sauces – Try it with a mustard-based BBQ, spicy chipotle sauce, or even Korean gochujang BBQ sauce if you’re feeling bold.
- Dry Rub Ribs – Skip the sauce and let the rub do the talking—just spritz with juice or cider for moisture.
🧊 Storing And Reheating Ribs
If you somehow end up with leftovers again—hey, it happens—don’t worry. You can store reheated ribs just like the originals, but a few tips will help keep them tasting great!
To store leftover ribs:
- Cool them completely before storing to avoid extra moisture buildup.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- For longer storage, wrap ribs tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for about 2–3 months. You can also use a vacuum-sealed bag to keep them extra fresh.
When it’s time to bring those ribs back (again), this recipe comes full circle.
Just use the same air fryer method. Add a light brush of sauce or a quick spritz of apple juice to freshen things up, and you’re back in business. Leftovers of leftovers? Still worth it!
🍗 More Ribs!
❓ Questions And Answers
Yes! Just brush on a thin layer of sauce and let them cook! The sauce will carmelize and be super delicious! If you prefer a stickier sauce, crank the air fryer to 400°F for the final 1-2 minutes.
You can, but it’s better to thaw them first. If you’re in a pinch, air fry frozen ribs at 300°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Wrap the ribs in foil, cook at lower temps, and use a quick spritz of apple juice or cider before and during cooking. Keeping an eye on them is key!
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How to Reheat Ribs in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound leftover ribs, thawed
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple juice, optional – for spritzing to keep ribs moist
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 2–3 minutes.
- Cut the ribs into individual pieces or smaller sections that will fit in your air fryer basket.
Sauce or Spritz
- For saucy ribs, brush each piece with a thin layer of BBQ sauce. Or skip the BBQ sauce and lightly spritz the ribs with apple juice.
Air Fry the Ribs
- For easy cleanup, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Arrange the ribs in a single layer, making sure they’re not stacked or overcrowded.
- Air fry at 360°F for 5–6 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Ribs should be heated through and internal temp should hit around 165°F
- Let the ribs rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
