It can be tricky to reheat ribs without sacrificing some of it’s juiciness and texture. We’ve found that to reheat ribs in an air fryer is the best method – far exceeding results you’d get in the microwave or in the oven.
» You might like these Air Fryer Country Style Ribs.
Not only is it quick, reheated ribs turn out just as crispy as when you first made them with a crispy exterior and no moisture loss.
Using the air fryer to reheat ribs actually reactivates the natural oils to maintain that crispy exterior and protecting the integrity of the meat.
Next time you need to reheat some leftover wings, skip the long process in the oven and the sogginess of the microwave and go straight for the air fryer.
This method works really well for reheating fried chicken or pizza, you can also use the air fryer to reheat all kinds of other foods.
Can You Reheat Ribs in An Air Fryer?
Yes, you can use the air fryer to reheat ribs and it is actually the best, easiest, and fastest way to do so.
The circulating air in the air fryer, coupled with the small space in the basket, crisps back up the exterior of the ribs, with the help of the natural oils in the meat. This leads to perfectly reheated ribs every time.
In fact, you can use your air fryer to reheat a whole host of leftovers, even if they were frozen. Once you’ve tried the air fryer technique to reheat your ribs, it will surely become your go-to method.
How To Reheat Ribs In The Air Fryer
It usually just takes just 5-6 minutes to reheat ribs in the air fryer, however the reheating time will vary depending on the size of the ribs.
- Individual ribs or sets of 3-4 ribs, should be reheated for 5-6 minutes on 375°F.
- A rack of ribs, usually cut in half to fit in the air fryer, should be reheated for 10-15 minutes on 375°F.
- Boneless ribs should be reheated for 2-3 minutes on 375°F.
Step One: Arrange ribs in a single layer
First of all, arrange the ribs in the air fryer, taking care to place them in a single layer. This is important so that each piece gets surface air circulation to quickly recrisp the outside without overcooking the inside.
Step Two: Cook until heated through
Set the air fryer temperature to 375 °F. Air fry until the ribs are heated through. For optimum results, flip the ribs over about halfway through to ensure both sides get crispy.
NOTE: In order to be safe to eat, ribs should have an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to determine whether the temperature has reached this safe level.
Tips for Reheating Ribs in an Air Fryer
- Eat the reheated ribs immediately, hot from the fryer.
- You only want to reheat ribs one time. A second reheating will lead to dried out meat.
- There’s no need to preheat the air fryer, but if you do, you might need less time to reheat.
- There’s no need to add any more oil to the ribs. There should be enough residual fat to preserve the texture.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Ribs?
We might be biased because we love our air fryer so much, but having reheated ribs in many different ways, I honestly believe the best way is in the air fryer.
There’s no need to waste energy by turning on the oven, and you don’t have to wait for the unit to preheat. Just pop the ribs in the air fryer, set the temperature, and wait. It’s true that you should flip the wings at the halfway mark, but that will only take a few seconds.
Since the air fryer preserves the crispy texture of the ribs, so it’ll taste almost as fresh as when they were first made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the air fryer make ribs crispy again?
Yes, the air fryer is the best way to make ribs crispy again, because of the circulating air that helps to reactivate the oil in the meat and make it just as crispy as it was the first time. This is also why we use the air fryer to reheat pizza. Foods with a little bit of oil on them already are great to reheat in the air fryer.
Can you reheat boneless ribs in the air fryer?
There’s really no difference between a bone-in rib and a boneless rib when it comes to reheating in the air fryer. Both can be cooked on the same temperature and for nearly the same amount of time. It’s possible that the bone-in ribs will take a minute or two longer to heat through.
Can I reheat a whole rack of ribs in the air fryer?
You can reheat a whole rack of ribs in the air fryer if they fit in the basket. It’s okay to overlap them a little bit, but to get the tops crispy on both pieces you’ll need to rotate them halfway through cooking. Place them in the basket and cook on 375 degrees F for about 5 minutes. They will be recrisped and reheated through, just like new.
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- I use a Ninja MaxXL air fryer (pictured left). If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Here’s a printable Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to get you started.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
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Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.