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Crispy Baby Back Ribs Recipe with Easy Homemade Kansas City BBQ Sauce

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This recipe delivers tender, juicy baby back ribs with a crispy crust, complemented by a tangy, sweet, and smoky homemade Kansas City BBQ sauce. Perfect for a quick and easy indoor barbecue experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 3–4 pounds / 1.4–1.8 kg)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup ketchup (preferably Heinz)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
  2. Pat the ribs dry with paper towels and remove the silver skin membrane on the back if attached.
  3. Combine kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl to make the dry rub.
  4. Rub olive oil all over the ribs, then evenly sprinkle the dry rub mixture on both sides, pressing lightly so it sticks. Let ribs sit at room temperature for 15 minutes if possible.
  5. Place a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange ribs on the rack, bone side down, leaving space between them for air circulation.
  6. Bake ribs in the oven for 2 hours, checking at 1.5 hours if your oven runs hot.
  7. While ribs bake, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and carefully remove ribs from the oven.
  9. Brush ribs generously with BBQ sauce on both sides using a basting brush.
  10. Return ribs to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes to caramelize the sauce and crisp the edges.
  11. Optional: Broil ribs for 2–3 minutes for extra crispiness, watching closely to avoid burning.
  12. Remove ribs from oven and tent with foil. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing between bones.

Notes

Remove the silver skin membrane for tenderness. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation for crispiness. Apply BBQ sauce near the end to prevent burning. Rest ribs under foil before slicing to lock in juices. If ribs are not tender after 2 hours, tent with foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes at 275°F. Broil carefully for extra crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: baby back ribs, crispy ribs, Kansas City BBQ sauce, homemade BBQ sauce, oven-baked ribs, easy ribs recipe, barbecue ribs, smoky ribs

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