There’s something magical about Christmas dinner—the warmth, the laughter, the way the whole house smells like a feast. But let’s be real, nobody wants to spend hours slaving over a hot oven when there’s eggnog to sip and presents to open. That’s where these air fryer roasted beef short ribs come in. Trust me, they’re a game-changer. Tender, juicy, and packed with rich, smoky flavor, they cook up in under half an hour, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the holiday chaos (I mean, cheer). I’ve been making these for years—ever since my sister gifted me that first air fryer—and now they’re as much a part of our Christmas tradition as my dad’s terrible sweaters. The best part? Even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen, these ribs turn out perfect every time. Just wait till you see the looks on your family’s faces when you pull these beauties out—golden, sizzling, and smelling like holiday magic.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs
Listen, I know holiday cooking can feel overwhelming—but these ribs? They’re your secret weapon. Here’s why they’re absolutely perfect for Christmas:
- Faster than Santa’s sleigh: Done in under 30 minutes, leaving you time for what really matters (like sneaking extra cookies)
- Juicy enough to impress: The air fryer locks in those gorgeous juices better than my oven ever could
- Festive flavors without fuss: That smoked paprika and garlic powder combo? Pure Christmas magic in every bite
- Less mess, more cheer: No splattered oven to clean while your in-laws ask why you’re not married yet
- Leftovers taste even better: If there are any leftovers (doubtful)
Seriously, these ribs saved my sanity last year when my oven decided to quit mid-Christmas prep. Now I’ll never go back!
Ingredients for Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and I mean the good stuff. You’ll want everything prepped and ready before you start, because once that air fryer heats up, things move fast! Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- 2 lbs beef short ribs (bone-in) – Look for ones with nice marbling, and pat them dry with paper towels. Trust me, dry ribs = better crust!
- 1 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin) – My Greek grandma would haunt me if I used anything less
- 1 tsp salt (kosher) – Don’t skimp – ribs need that salt to really sing
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground) – None of that pre-ground dust, please
- 1 tsp garlic powder – Not garlic salt! We already added salt
- 1 tsp onion powder – The secret weapon for depth of flavor
- 1 tsp smoked paprika – This is what gives that Christmas-worthy smoky aroma
Pro tip from my many kitchen disasters: measure your spices into a little bowl before you start rubbing them on the meat. Nothing worse than fumbling with spice jars with oily hands! And if you’re feeling fancy, a pinch of brown sugar adds the most amazing caramelized crust – but that’s our little secret.
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these ribs! Just grab:
- An air fryer (6-quart or larger) – Mine’s a basic model I got on sale, and it works like a charm
- Meat thermometer – Non-negotiable unless you enjoy playing “is it done?” roulette
- Mixing bowl – Any old bowl will do for tossing those ribs in spices
That’s it! Well, besides the usual tongs and maybe a plate for resting. See? I told you this was easy.
How to Make Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs
Alright, let’s get these beauties cooking! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep (and honestly, after a few holiday cocktails, I practically have). Follow these steps, and you’ll have ribs that’ll make your guests think you slaved all day.
Step 1: Season the Ribs
First things first – pat those ribs dry with paper towels. This is crucial – water is the enemy of a good crust! Drizzle on the olive oil and rub it all over like you’re giving the ribs a little massage. Mix all your spices together in a bowl first (trust me, it prevents that awkward moment when you accidentally dump half the pepper onto one rib). Sprinkle the seasoning mix generously on all sides – don’t be shy! If you’ve got time, let them sit for 10 minutes while the air fryer preheats. This lets the salt work its magic and the flavors start to mingle.
Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) – about 3 minutes should do it. Now, here’s my golden rule: don’t overcrowd the basket! Give each rib some breathing room, or you’ll end up with steamed meat instead of that gorgeous crispy exterior. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip them over (I use tongs – careful, they’re hot!). Another 12-13 minutes should do it, but here’s where that meat thermometer earns its keep – you want 145°F (63°C) for perfect medium-rare. Thicker ribs might need an extra minute or two.
Step 3: Rest and Serve
I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but wait! Let those ribs rest for at least 5 minutes on a plate or cutting board. This lets the juices redistribute so you don’t lose all that flavor when you cut into them. Last Christmas, my nephew skipped this step and ended up with a lap full of delicious beef juice – learn from his mistakes! After resting, arrange them on a platter and watch your family descend like hungry carolers.
See? Even with all my chatting, this whole process takes less time than watching a holiday special. Now go forth and be the Christmas dinner hero!
Tips for the Best Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs
Alright, let me share the hard-earned wisdom from my many (many) batches of these ribs. These tips will take your Christmas dinner from “nice” to “can I get your recipe?” status:
- Thermometer is your best friend: Don’t guess – poke! 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare is the sweet spot.
- Give them space to breathe: Overcrowding = steamed ribs. Cook in batches if needed (worth the wait!).
- Patience pays off: Letting the ribs rest 5 minutes means juicy bites, not dry disappointment.
- Fresh spices make all the difference: That year-old paprika in your cupboard? Toss it and treat yourself to fresh.
Bonus tip from last year’s disaster: Set a timer when preheating! I once got distracted wrapping presents and nearly smoked us out. Oops.
Serving Suggestions
These ribs deserve a proper holiday spread! I love serving them with creamy garlic mashed potatoes (the juices make the BEST gravy) and roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon. For wine? A bold Cabernet Sauvignon cuts through the richness perfectly. And if you’re feeling extra festive, pop some Yorkshire puddings in the oven – my British husband insists they’re mandatory!
Storage and Reheating
Got leftovers? (Lucky you!) Store cooled ribs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, skip the microwave – that’ll turn them rubbery. Instead, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes. They’ll come out just as crispy as day one!
Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist – I’m just a home cook who believes food should be delicious first and healthy second (it’s Christmas, after all!). But here’s the general breakdown per serving (about 1 rib), though remember: values are estimates and vary based on your exact ingredients:
- Calories: 320 – Perfect for fueling present-unwrapping marathons
- Protein: 28g – That’s some serious staying power for holiday shopping
- Fat: 22g (8g saturated) – Where all that juicy flavor lives
- Carbs: 1g – Basically a salad if you squint hard enough
- Sodium: 500mg – Okay, maybe go easy on the eggnog chaser
My philosophy? Christmas comes once a year – savor every bite without stressing the numbers. But if Aunt Karen asks, just whisper “high protein” and watch her nod approvingly.
FAQs About Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs
I’ve gotten so many questions about these ribs over the years – here are the ones that pop up most often from friends and family (usually while they’re stuffing their faces with seconds):
Can I use boneless ribs instead?
Absolutely! Just reduce cook time by about 5 minutes since bones add density. I actually did this last Christmas when the store was out of bone-in – still turned out amazing!
My ribs are super thick – how do I adjust?
No stress! Add 2-3 minutes per side, but always trust your thermometer. I once made “dinosaur ribs” that needed nearly 30 minutes total – just keep checking until they hit 145°F internally.
Can I prep these ahead?
You bet! Season them up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated. The spices actually penetrate better. Just add 1-2 minutes to cook time since they’ll be cold from the fridge.
Why did my ribs stick to the basket?
Ah, the dreaded stick! Either your air fryer was screaming “clean me!” or you skipped the oil rub. A quick spritz of cooking spray on the basket never hurts either.
Help! My family wants them well-done!
For well-done ribs (160°F), add about 5 minutes total cook time. But may I suggest hiding the good cuts for yourself? Just kidding… mostly.
Juicy Christmas Air Fryer Roasted Beef Short Ribs in 30 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Delicious roasted beef short ribs prepared in an air fryer, perfect for a festive Christmas meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Rub the beef short ribs with olive oil.
- Season the ribs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Place the ribs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check for doneness (internal temperature should reach 145°F / 63°C for medium-rare).
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the ribs for 2 hours before cooking.
- Adjust cooking time depending on the thickness of the ribs.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American