Air Fryer Garlic Pork Ribs
Crispy on the Outside, Tender and Juicy Inside
These garlic-infused pork ribs are incredibly flavorful, with beautifully caramelized edges and a tender, juicy center. The best part? No deep-frying and no blanching required. A generous amount of fresh garlic gives the ribs their signature aroma, while soy sauce and oyster sauce create a rich, savory glaze as they cook.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Marinating Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes
Servings
4
Ingredients
1 kg (2.2 lb) pork ribs, cut into individual pieces
8–10 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground white or black pepper
½ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
2 tablespoons cooking oil
To Finish
Additional minced garlic, if desired
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ribs
Place the pork ribs in a large bowl and cover with clean water. Allow them to soak briefly to remove excess blood and impurities.
Drain the ribs thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the marinade cling to the meat and encourages better browning in the air fryer.
2. Make the Garlic Marinade
Add the minced garlic, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, oyster sauce, salt, pepper, chicken bouillon powder, and cooking oil to the ribs.
Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated and the garlic is distributed throughout.
3. Marinate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For deeper flavor, you can marinate the ribs for several hours or overnight.
4. Arrange in the Air Fryer
Place the marinated ribs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between the pieces so the hot air can circulate properly.
Do not discard the remaining marinade. The video uses the leftover garlic marinade during cooking, helping the ribs develop an even richer, more savory coating.
5. Air Fry
Cook at 170°C (340°F) for 20 minutes.
The ribs should be deeply browned and caramelized on the outside, with the garlic becoming fragrant and lightly toasted.
Because air fryers vary in power and size, begin checking the ribs toward the end of the cooking time. If necessary, cook for a few additional minutes until the pork is fully cooked and nicely browned.
6. Serve
Remove the ribs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for a few minutes.
Serve hot, while the exterior is crisp and caramelized and the inside remains tender and juicy.
🍽️ Cook's Tip
Don't skimp on the garlic! The generous amount of fresh garlic is what gives these ribs their distinctive aroma and deep savory flavor.
For the best browning, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If you're cooking a large batch, work in batches rather than stacking the ribs.
