Candy Apple Spareribs
Candy Apple Spareribs
Ingredients
For the Ribs
- 1 rack pork spareribs, about 3-4 pounds
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard, or as needed
- 1/4 cup BBQ rub, your favorite
- 1/2 cup diluted apple juice
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pats
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup apple jelly
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup, then place a wire rack on top.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Prepare the ribs: Pat the rack of pork ribs dry with paper towels. Using a knife or spoon, carefully remove the membrane from the bone side of the ribs. This will help them become more tender.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Apply the binder: Squeeze about half of the yellow mustard over the meat side of the ribs. Spread it evenly across the entire surface with your hands; this acts as a binder for the seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Apply the rub: Liberally sprinkle about half of your favorite BBQ rub over the mustard-coated meat side of the ribs. Gently pat the rub into the ribs to ensure it adheres well.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Flip the ribs over and repeat steps 3 and 4: Apply the remaining mustard to the bone side of the ribs, spread it, then sprinkle the remaining BBQ rub over it, patting it in. Ensure each section of the ribs is seasoned.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Initial bake: Place the seasoned ribs, meat-side up, on the wire rack set over the baking sheet. Place the ribs in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
Baste with apple juice: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the ribs from the oven. Pour the diluted apple juice evenly over the ribs to keep them moist.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
Second bake: Return the ribs to the oven for another 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 9
Prepare for wrapping: While the ribs are baking, lay out a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (long enough to fully enclose the ribs) on a clean surface. Create an even bed of packed light brown sugar in the center of the foil. Place the 4 pats of unsalted butter on top of the brown sugar.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Wrap the ribs: After the second 30-minute bake, carefully remove the ribs from the oven. Using tongs, transfer the ribs, meat-side down, onto the prepared bed of brown sugar and butter on the aluminum foil. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil, sealing all edges to lock in moisture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Third bake (wrapped): Place the wrapped ribs back in the oven and cook for another 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400
- 12
Prepare the glaze: While the ribs are in their third bake, combine the apple jelly, apple cider vinegar, honey, and optional hot sauce in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking until the jelly is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 13
Glaze the ribs: Remove the wrapped ribs from the oven. Carefully unwrap them, being cautious of the hot steam. Discard the foil. Using a basting brush, generously lather the ribs with the prepared glaze on both sides.
⏱️ 2 min
- 14
Final broil: Place the glazed ribs back on the wire rack (meat-side up) and return them to the oven. Set the oven to a low broil. Broil for 10-15 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and slightly sticky. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 15
Serve: Remove the ribs from the oven. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Candy Apple Spareribs
For the Ribs
- 1 rack pork spareribs, about 3-4 pounds
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard, or as needed
- 1/4 cup BBQ rub, your favorite
- 1/2 cup diluted apple juice
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pats
For the Glaze
- 1/2 cup apple jelly
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup, then place a wire rack on top.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Prepare the ribs: Pat the rack of pork ribs dry with paper towels. Using a knife or spoon, carefully remove the membrane from the bone side of the ribs. This will help them become more tender.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Apply the binder: Squeeze about half of the yellow mustard over the meat side of the ribs. Spread it evenly across the entire surface with your hands; this acts as a binder for the seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Apply the rub: Liberally sprinkle about half of your favorite BBQ rub over the mustard-coated meat side of the ribs. Gently pat the rub into the ribs to ensure it adheres well.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Flip the ribs over and repeat steps 3 and 4: Apply the remaining mustard to the bone side of the ribs, spread it, then sprinkle the remaining BBQ rub over it, patting it in. Ensure each section of the ribs is seasoned.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Initial bake: Place the seasoned ribs, meat-side up, on the wire rack set over the baking sheet. Place the ribs in the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
Baste with apple juice: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the ribs from the oven. Pour the diluted apple juice evenly over the ribs to keep them moist.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
Second bake: Return the ribs to the oven for another 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 9
Prepare for wrapping: While the ribs are baking, lay out a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (long enough to fully enclose the ribs) on a clean surface. Create an even bed of packed light brown sugar in the center of the foil. Place the 4 pats of unsalted butter on top of the brown sugar.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Wrap the ribs: After the second 30-minute bake, carefully remove the ribs from the oven. Using tongs, transfer the ribs, meat-side down, onto the prepared bed of brown sugar and butter on the aluminum foil. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil, sealing all edges to lock in moisture.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Third bake (wrapped): Place the wrapped ribs back in the oven and cook for another 30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 400 - 12
Prepare the glaze: While the ribs are in their third bake, combine the apple jelly, apple cider vinegar, honey, and optional hot sauce in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, whisking until the jelly is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 13
Glaze the ribs: Remove the wrapped ribs from the oven. Carefully unwrap them, being cautious of the hot steam. Discard the foil. Using a basting brush, generously lather the ribs with the prepared glaze on both sides.
⏱️ 2 min - 14
Final broil: Place the glazed ribs back on the wire rack (meat-side up) and return them to the oven. Set the oven to a low broil. Broil for 10-15 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized and slightly sticky. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 350 - 15
Serve: Remove the ribs from the oven. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing between the bones and serving immediately.
⏱️ 5 min