Honey-Glazed Air Fryer Pork Ribs

Crispy, sticky, and full of sweet-savory flavor, these Guangdong-style air fryer pork ribs feature a rich honey glaze and tender meat.

Ingredients

• 1.2 lbs pork ribs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. 1Dry the Ribs

   

   After soaking the pork ribs to remove impurities, use a paper towel to press and pat them completely dry. This ensures the marinade adheres properly and absorbs deeply into the meat.

   Tip: Drying the meat prevents excess water from diluting the marinade, resulting in a much more flavorful dish.
2. 2Season with Aromatics

   

   Sprinkle garlic powder and onion powder generously over the dried raw ribs in the tray. If you do not have these powders, finely minced fresh garlic and onion can be used as a substitute.

   Tip: Powders are excellent for dry rubs as they distribute evenly and will not burn as easily as fresh minced aromatics in the air fryer.
3. 3Add the liquid marinade

   

   Pour dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce, oyster sauce, and honey over the dried ribs. Sprinkle in your dry spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, along with cornstarch to help bind the sauce to the meat.

   Tip: If you dont have powdered aromatics, minced fresh garlic and onion will work beautifully as substitutes.
4. 4Add Honey

   

   After adding the soy sauce and other savory liquids, pour golden honey onto the ribs to provide a sweet glaze. This will give the ribs that classic sweet and savory Guangdong-style flavor profile.

   Tip: Honey not only sweetens the dish but also helps create a beautiful caramelized crust when baked.
5. 5Massage the ribs

   

   Put on a plastic glove and thoroughly massage the marinade into the pork ribs by hand. Ensure every piece is evenly coated, then drizzle in a little cooking oil to help lock in the moisture.

   Tip: Mixing by hand is the best way to ensure the cornstarch and liquid ingredients form a cohesive glaze that adheres perfectly to the meat.
6. 6Wrap and marinate

   

   Cover the tray tightly with clear plastic wrap. Transfer the ribs to the refrigerator to marinate. For the best flavor penetration, let them rest for at least three hours.

   Tip: The longer the ribs marinate, the better they will taste. You can even leave them overnight for maximum flavor.
7. 7Place Ribs in Air Fryer

   

   Arrange the marinated pork ribs sequentially into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overly crowded for even cooking.

   Tip: Leave a little space between the ribs so the circulating air can brown them evenly.
8. 8Start the air fryer

   

   Preheat your air fryer to 180°C for 10 minutes. Once preheated, place the marinated ribs into the basket and turn the dial to bake at 180°C for the first 10 minutes of cooking.

   Tip: If you prefer tender, juicy ribs rather than a dry, fragrant finish, you can wrap them in aluminum foil before placing them in the air fryer.
9. 9Flip the ribs

   

   After the first 10 minutes of cooking, open the air fryer basket. Use chopsticks or tongs to carefully flip each rib over so they brown evenly on both sides, then continue to cook for another 10 minutes.

   Tip: Keep an eye on the color when flipping. They should be taking on a nice browned, caramelized appearance from the honey and soy sauce.
10. 10Prepare Honey Water Mixture

    

    Add a spoonful of honey into a small stainless steel bowl and mix it thoroughly with water to create a brushing glaze for the final stage of cooking.

    Tip: Diluting the honey with water prevents it from burning too quickly while giving the ribs a glossy finish.
11. 11Brush with Honey Water

    

    During the final minutes of cooking, use a yellow silicone brush to generously apply the honey water mixture onto both sides of the browned ribs.

    Tip: Brushing with honey water near the end creates a sweet, caramelized glaze without burning the sugars.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions