Air Fryer Soy Glazed Pork Ribs

Growing up, me and my brothers would straight-up throw hands over the last pork rib. These air fryer soy glaze ribs are still our family’s obsession.

Back in the day, my mom would be out there sweating over a charcoal grill, making the most unreal ribs. The smell was everything, but waiting felt like it took a whole lifetime.

We’d go full savage mode the second those crispy edges hit the plate.

Now that I’ve got an air fryer, it’s a total game-changer.

No more grill smoke, no more standing around starving for hours. The ribs come out juicy inside, crispy outside, and somehow even better than before.

My brothers still act like wild animals when I make these, but at least now I get first dibs.

You seriously gotta try this.

Main Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Soy Glaze Ribs

• Pork ribs : The star of the show. I usually grab baby back ribs because they cook faster and stay super tender. You want ribs that have a good amount of meat on them for the juiciest bites.
  
  
• Soy sauce: This is where all the salty, savory magic starts. It gives the ribs that deep, umami flavor that makes you keep reaching for more.
  
  
• Dark soy sauce: Not the same as regular soy sauce—this one’s thicker, a little sweeter, and gives the ribs that gorgeous dark color. Total flavor booster.
  
  
• Oyster sauce: It sounds weird if you’ve never used it, but trust me, it makes everything taste richer and a little sweet without being too much. It’s lowkey the secret to that glossy, finger-licking finish.
  
  
• Five spice seasoning: This stuff is everything. It basically makes the ribs taste fancy without even trying. If you’re out of it, you can totally fake it with some cinnamon, cumin, and black pepper.
  
  
• Honey: For that sticky, caramelized finish. Brushing it on right before the ribs are done takes them to a whole new level of goodness.
  
  
• Cornstarch: A little bit goes a long way. It helps the sauce stick better to the ribs and gives the outside that slight crispiness without needing a grill.

How to Make Air Fryer Soy Glaze Pork Ribs

Step 1: Clean the ribs

• Rinse the ribs well under cold water.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil.
• Add a little salt and a few slices of ginger.
• Boil the ribs for a few minutes to remove blood, dust, and any smell.
• Drain the ribs and pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Season the ribs

• Place the ribs in a big bowl.
• Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, five spice seasoning, and a little neutral oil.
• Toss until all the ribs are coated.
• Let them sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• After resting, sprinkle cornstarch over the ribs and toss again to coat.

Step 3: Prep the air fryer

• Spray a little neutral oil in the air fryer basket.
• Place the ribs in a single layer inside the basket.

Step 4: Cook the ribs

• Set the air fryer to 350°F.
• Cook the ribs for 25 minutes.
• Flip the ribs halfway through so both sides get crispy.
• When 3 minutes are left, brush a layer of honey on both sides of the ribs.

Step 5: Serve

• Take the ribs out of the air fryer.
• Serve them hot by themselves or with white rice.

FAQs About This Recipe

1. Can I use spare ribs instead of baby back ribs?

Yes, you can! Spare ribs are a little bigger and have more fat, so they might need a few extra minutes in the air fryer. Just keep an eye on them and add 3 to 5 minutes if needed.

2. Do I really need to boil the ribs first?

Boiling helps remove blood, dust, and any strong pork smell. It makes the ribs taste cleaner and keeps the meat tender. You can skip it if you’re short on time, but the ribs might taste a little heavier.

3. Does boiling ribs remove all the nutrients?

Boiling ribs might cause a small loss of nutrients, but it’s not a big deal for ribs. Most of the flavor and goodness stay in the meat. Also, boiling makes them taste way cleaner and helps with texture, so it’s worth it.

4. What if I don't have dark soy sauce?

If you don’t have dark soy sauce, just use a little extra regular soy sauce and add a tiny bit of brown sugar for sweetness. Your ribs will still come out really good.

5. How do I make the ribs extra sticky?

Brush on an extra layer of honey right after the ribs are done cooking, while they’re still hot. You can even air fry them for 1 more minute after brushing to make them extra sticky and caramelized.

6. How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Let the ribs cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until warm and crispy again.