Description
This Air Fryer Short Ribs recipe features boneless thick-cut short ribs marinated in a flavorful Korean-inspired blend of coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and a touch of honey. Quick and easy to prepare, these ribs are air fried to perfection in just 10 minutes, making them ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Garnished with fresh spring onions and toasted sesame seeds, this dish delivers tender, juicy ribs with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Short Ribs
- 2 lbs boneless thick-cut short ribs (1.5-inch / 3.8cm thick-cut)
Marinade
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or 3 tbsp light soy sauce)
- 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar (or 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion granule
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp mirin (or rice wine, optional)
- 2-3 tsp honey (or coconut palm sugar, brown sugar, or date syrup)
- 1/2 tsp gochugaru (optional)
For Cooking and Garnish
- Olive oil spray
- 1-2 whole spring onions (finely chopped)
- Toasted white sesame seeds (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine coconut aminos (or soy sauce), rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), garlic powder, onion granules, ground black pepper, coarse salt, toasted sesame oil, olive oil, mirin (optional), honey (or sweetener of choice), and gochugaru if using. Whisk until well mixed to create the Korean-inspired marinade.
- Marinate the Ribs: Place the boneless thick-cut short ribs in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the ribs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors infuse; longer marination up to 2 hours is fine for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for quick cooking.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Remove the ribs from the marinade, letting any excess drip off, and place them in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding.
- Air Fry the Ribs: Cook the ribs at 400°F (204°C) for 10 minutes. Midway through (at about 5 minutes), flip the ribs to promote even cooking and a nice crust on both sides.
- Check for Doneness: After 10 minutes, ensure the ribs are cooked through and tender. The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F (63°C) for beef. If desired, cook an additional 1-2 minutes for more browning and crispiness.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the ribs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with finely chopped spring onions and toasted white sesame seeds for added flavor and presentation. Serve hot and enjoy your quick, delicious air fryer Korean short ribs!
Notes
- This boneless thick-cut air fryer short ribs recipe is fast and easy, perfect for weeknight meals and meal prep.
- The marinade offers options to substitute coconut aminos with light soy sauce and rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar to accommodate pantry ingredients.
- For a spicier kick, include the optional gochugaru, a Korean chili flake.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount or type of honey or alternative sweeteners used in the marinade.
- Ensure the ribs are cut evenly thick to promote uniform cooking in the air fryer.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to maintain crispness and even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 4 oz of cooked ribs)
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 587 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg
