Air Fryer Chilli Maple Pork Riblets

AF-200 Crew BBQ Recipe

Air Fryer Chilli Maple Pork Riblets

These little riblets are pure smokehouse gold. Meaty pork riblets coated in a smoky spice rub, slow-cooked until tender, then finished with a rich maple chilli glaze that turns dark, sticky, and beautifully caramelised. Sweet first, smoky second, then a gentle kick of heat that keeps you reaching back for another rib.

Air Fryer Chilli Maple Pork Riblets
Air Fryer Chilli Maple Pork Riblets preparation stage

You’ll Need

800g pork riblets
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
½ tsp chilli powder

For The Maple Chilli Glaze
2 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp smoky BBQ sauce
1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
½ tsp chilli flakes

Optional But Dangerous
Corn on the cob
Creamy coleslaw
Pickled jalapeños
Skin-on fries

Method

Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.

Pat the pork riblets dry thoroughly with kitchen paper.

Rub with the olive oil.

Mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and chilli

powder.

Coat every riblet generously with the seasoning.

Arrange the riblets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket.

Cook for 28–32 minutes, turning every 10 minutes, until the meat is tender and beautifully browned.

Meanwhile, whisk together the maple syrup, BBQ sauce, sweet chilli sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon

mustard, apple cider vinegar, and chilli flakes.

Brush the riblets generously with the glaze.

Return them to the air fryer for a final 5–6 minutes at 190°C, turning once and glazing again halfway through,

until the glaze becomes thick, sticky, and deeply caramelised.

Allow the riblets to rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Serve with corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw, skin-on fries, or pickled jalapeños if using.

Lad Tip: Build the glaze in two thin coats rather than one thick one. It creates that proper pitmaster lacquer that clings to every riblet instead of sliding straight off, giving you sticky fingers and serious smokehouse flavour in every bite.

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