Making ribs in a toaster oven is absolutely possible, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. The main question is whether a toaster oven can get hot enough and cook the ribs evenly enough to result in tasty, fall-off-the-bone ribs. With some prep work and the right techniques, you can successfully make juicy, delicious ribs in a toaster oven.
Can a Toaster Oven Get Hot Enough?
Most standard toaster ovens max out at around 450°F. Ribs are often cooked between 250-325°F in a regular oven or smoker. So a toaster oven can definitely reach the right temperatures. However, it may struggle to maintain an even, consistent heat at the higher end of that range. The heating elements in a toaster oven are much smaller than a full-size oven, so recovering heat after the cold ribs are first put in can be difficult.
This means you may have to cook the ribs longer and at slightly lower temperatures in a toaster oven to allow time for the heat to fully penetrate the meat. But with the right preparation and cooking technique, you can absolutely achieve tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in a toaster oven.
Choosing the Right Rib Cut
Opt for meatier rib cuts that will hold up well to the longer cooking time in the toaster oven. Baby back ribs or spare ribs are good choices. Country-style ribs are also a possibility, but cook these for less time than full ribs since they consist of mostly meat rather than bone and cartilage.
Avoid giant, thick-cut beef back ribs, which require higher and more consistent heat. Stick to pork ribs or smaller beef short ribs for the toaster oven.
Prepare the Ribs
Remove the thin membrane from the back of the ribs before cooking. This will allow the seasonings and smoke/sauce to penetrate fully. You can loosen the membrane with a spoon and then grab a corner and peel it off.
Season the ribs all over with a dry rub. Use spices like brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Allow the seasoned ribs to sit for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
For extra moisture and flavor, consider brining the ribs beforehand. Soak them for 1-2 hours in a broth mixture of water, salt, brown sugar, and spices.
Cook Low and Slow
The key to juicy, tender ribs in the toaster oven is cooking them low and slow. Cook at 225-250°F for longer, rather than blasting them at a high temp.
Place the ribs meaty-side up on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. This elevates them out of any drippings for even cooking.
Cook for 2-3 hours, checking after 2 hours. Look for the meat to start shrinking back from the bones. Continue cooking until fully tender.
Baste the ribs with barbecue sauce periodically during the last 30-60 minutes only. Too early can lead to burning.
For extra flavor, add wood chips to the toaster oven in foil packets with holes poked on top. This will perfume the ribs with smoky aroma.
Finish on the Broil Setting
Once the ribs are fully cooked and sauced, you can switch the toaster oven to broil for 2-5 minutes to caramelize the sugars in the sauce and get a sticky glaze. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Other Tips for Success
- Cut racks of ribs in half so they fit better in the toaster oven.
- Rotate pans and switch rack heights midway for even cooking.
- Tent foil loosely over ribs if they brown too quickly.
- Let ribs rest 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Using a Rib Rack
A rib rack is a specialized metal rack designed to hold ribs upright in the oven. This can help maximize space when cooking multiple racks in the toaster oven.
Look for an adjustable rib rack to fit different sizes. A vertical rack works better than horizontal in a toaster oven’s compact space.
Load ribs carefully into the rack. They should fit snugly but have a bit of room at the top to allow heat circulation. Make sure ribs aren’t crammed in too tightly.
Use aluminum foil or a baking sheet below the rib rack to catch any drippings.
Ribs cook more evenly in a rib rack than piled on each other. But keep in mind, they will take a bit longer to finish than laying flat.
Pros of Using a Rib Rack
- Cooks more ribs at once
- Prevents burning by elevating ribs
- Allows air circulation for even cooking
- Keeps ribs neat and contained
- Catches drippings below
Cons of Using a Rib Rack
- Can lead to uneven cooking if overstuffed
- Need to adjust cook times
- Harder to baste and sauce ribs
- Have to carefully transfer in and out of oven
Best Toaster Oven Ribs Recipe
Here is an easy, foolproof recipe for tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in the toaster oven:
Ingredients
- 2 racks baby back ribs or spare ribs, membrane removed
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 3 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, divided
- Wood chips or chunks (optional)
Instructions
- Cut racks of ribs in half. Combine dry rub ingredients and season ribs all over. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Preheat toaster oven to 225°F. Place ribs meaty-side up on wire rack set on baking sheet. Add wood chips to foil packet if using.
- Cook ribs for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until meat pulls back from bones. Baste with 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce last 30 minutes.
- Switch to broil. Broil 2-5 minutes until sauce caramelizes. Remove ribs and let rest 5 minutes.
- Cut ribs and serve with extra barbecue sauce.
Conclusion
Making ribs in the toaster oven is doable with the right tricks. Opt for leaner rib cuts, cook low and slow, use a rib rack to maximize space, and finish off under the broiler. While it takes longer than a regular oven, with some patience you can achieve tasty, fall-off-the-bone ribs from the convenience of a toaster oven.