There’s something about Honey Glazed Pork Ribs that makes them impossible to resist – especially for my kids. The moment they know that’s what’s for dinner, they’re at the dining table before I can even call their names. These ribs are tender without falling apart and absolutely packed with flavour. You get the natural sweetness of honey, the deep umami from fish and oyster sauce, the aromatic blend of garlic, ginger and shallots, the subtle heat from paprika and pepper and the nutty finish of sesame oil and seeds. It’s got everything you want in a rib dish – sweet, savoury, smoky and moreish.
My husband wasn’t home when I made these tonight, and somehow 1kg pork ribs vanished in a blink – courtesy of just the two kids. I barely managed to grab a couple for myself before they ended up in their bowls! But that’s exactly what you want to see when you’ve cooked something – they couldn’t get enough.
Easy to make, even on a busy day
The best part? Honey Glazed Pork Ribs are surprisingly easy to make. I used the air fryer this time for convenience, but you can absolutely use your oven too if you prefer. The real star of this recipe is the marinade. Get that right, and you’re already halfway there.
I like to prepare the marinade around lunchtime and leave the ribs to soak up all that goodness until dinner time. That gives the flavours plenty of time to develop and the result is tender ribs with a beautifully sticky glaze.
What goes into the marinade
The marinade is a lovely balance of sweet, savoury and a gentle heat. Here’s what I use:
- Sauces: a mix of oyster sauce and fish sauce gives the ribs that rich savoury base.
- Aromatics: garlic granules (or fresh minced garlic), ginger powder and finely chopped shallots add depth and aroma.
- Spices: ground pepper and paprika bring just the right amount of warmth. This version is kid-friendly, but if you like it spicier, feel free to add chilli flakes or a touch of chilli powder.
- Oils: I prefer sesame oil for its nutty note, but vegetable oil works too.
- Honey: and of course, plenty of honey to give it that signature sweetness and glossy glaze.
- Sesame seeds: I like to sprinkle these on at the end for a bit of texture and extra nuttiness.
I always cut the ribs into individual pieces before marinating to make sure every bit is coated evenly. The longer you marinate, the more flavour your ribs will have.
Cooking the ribs – Air fryer or oven
When it’s time to cook, arrange the ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This helps them cook evenly. I brush them with the leftover marinade juice, then air fry at 180°C for about 10-12 minutes. After that, I mix a bit of honey with oil and brush that on the ribs. Fry for another 5 minutes, flip them over, brush again and fry for a final 5-7 minutes until they’re golden and beautifully glazed.
If you’re using an oven, the process is the same – just keep an eye on them and adjust the timing slightly depending on your oven.
How to serve Honey Glazed Pork Ribs
I usually serve Honey Glazed Pork Ribs with a bowl of hot steamed rice, some crunchy pickled vegetables and sweet chilli sauce on the side. They also make a great appetiser or party dish – finger food that both kids and grown-ups will love.
Will you give this one a go? I’d love to know how your family likes it. And if you’re looking for more pork ideas, why not check out my other pork recipes here?
Happy cooking!
Honey Glazed Pork Ribs – A Family Favourite
Description
These Honey Glazed Pork Ribs are the ultimate crowd pleaser - tender, juicy and packed with flavour. Marinated in a sweet and savoury blend of honey, fish sauce, oyster sauce, and aromatic spices, then air-fried or oven-baked to golden perfection. They're quick to prep, easy to cook and guaranteed to disappear fast from the dinner table. Perfect with steamed rice, pickles or as a finger-licking party snack.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Marinate the ribs
- Mix together oyster sauce, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, shallots, pepper, paprika, sesame oil and honey.
- Add this mixture to the ribs in a mixing bowl, and mix well to coat each piece.
- Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, the longer, the better.
-
Cook in air fryer (or oven)
- Arrange ribs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Brush with any leftover marinade.
- Air fry at 180°C for 10-12 minutes.
-
Glaze and finish cooking
- Mix a little honey with oil.
- Brush this glaze over the ribs.
- Air fry for another 5 minutes, flip, brush the other side and cook for another 5-7 minutes until golden and sticky.
-
Serve
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot with steamed rice, pickled veggies and sweet chilli sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 806.04kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 62.38g96%
- Saturated Fat 19.39g97%
- Trans Fat 0.55g
- Cholesterol 200mg67%
- Sodium 1036.67mg44%
- Potassium 765.37mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 19.95g7%
- Dietary Fiber 1.36g6%
- Sugars 15.67g
- Protein 40.35g81%
- Vitamin A 7.53 IU
- Vitamin C 2.75 mg
- Calcium 66.21 mg
- Iron 3.08 mg
- Vitamin D 5.75 IU
- Vitamin E 1.07 IU
- Vitamin K 1.54 mcg
- Thiamin 0.82 mg
- Riboflavin 0.65 mg
- Niacin 12.11 mg
- Vitamin B6 1.6 mg
- Folate 16.78 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.01 mcg
- Phosphorus 380.77 mg
- Magnesium 67.44 mg
- Zinc 6.52 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- This recipe is mild enough for kids. If you like a bit of heat, add some chilli flakes or chilli powder to the marinade.
- No air fryer? Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 25-30 minutes, brushing with glaze halfway through.
