Beef short ribs need long, gentle cooking to turn tender — and the air fryer can do it in a covered dish, then crisp the sticky glaze at the end. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: Can you cook short ribs in an air fryer?
A: Yes — braise them covered at 160°C (320°F) for about 45–60 minutes, then glaze and crisp uncovered for a few minutes.
Q: Why cover them?
A: Covering traps moisture so they braise tender rather than drying out.
Low and slow
Season the ribs, sit them in a dish with a splash of stock, and cover tightly with foil. Braise low until the meat is tender and pulls from the bone, then brush with a sticky glaze and finish uncovered to caramelise.
The recipe
Air Fryer Beef Short Ribs
Ingredients
- 4 beef short ribs
- 100ml stock
- 2 tbsp BBQ or hoisin glaze
- Salt, pepper, garlic
Method
- Season; sit in a dish with stock, cover with foil.
- Braise at 160°C for 45–60 minutes.
- Brush with glaze.
- Crisp uncovered 5–8 minutes.
Tips
- Cover tightly so they braise tender.
- Glaze at the end so it caramelises, not burns.
- Cook to tender — they're ready when the meat pulls from the bone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook beef short ribs in an air fryer?
Yes — braise them covered with a splash of stock at 160°C for about 45–60 minutes until tender, then glaze and crisp uncovered for a few minutes.
Why cover short ribs in the air fryer?
Covering traps steam so they braise tender in their own moisture, rather than drying in the dry heat.
How do you know short ribs are done?
They're ready when the meat is tender and pulls easily from the bone — give them longer if still firm.