Salt and Pepper Riblets
The classic combination of garlic, chili, salt and pepper is awesome on so many things and these riblets are no exception. By using an air fryer, it is easy to get restaurant flavours at home without deep frying. They are incredibly yummy and flavourful.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork spare ribs or riblets cut into 1-1½ inch segments
- 3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil divided, plus more for spraying
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon five spice powder
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½-1 cup potato starch
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Thai chili thinly sliced
- 2 stalks green onion chopped, separating white from dark green parts
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
For the Seasoning Salt
- ½ teaspoon whole white peppercorn or ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine pork riblets, 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil, rice wine, soy sauce, sugar, five spice powder, and white pepper. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight, covered in the fridge.
- Preheat the air fryer for a couple of minutes at 375℉. Meanwhile, in a large resealable bag, add ½ cup potato starch and ½ the riblets. Give the bag a good shake, ensuring that each piece is evenly coated. Repeat for all the riblets, adding more potato starch if needed.
- Place the riblets in the air fryer basket without overcrowding and spray evenly with vegetable or canola oil.
- Cook the riblets at 375℉ for 8 minutes, give them a toss and cook for another 8 minutes. You may need to give the riblets another spray of vegetable or canola oil at the halfway mark. Remove and set aside. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches.
- Meanwhile, with a mortar and pestle, coarsely grind white peppercorns. In a small bowl, combine white pepper, five spice powder and coarse kosher salt. Set aside.
- In a wok or large frying pan, on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil, chili and white parts of green onion. Stir fry for 30-60 seconds. Add garlic. Stir fry for another 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the riblets, tossing them quickly. Turn off the heat. Add the green onion and cilantro and give them another toss. Season with ½ teaspoon seasoning salt or as much as desired.