Baked BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Tender, juicy, and packed with smoky, sweet, and spicy flavor, these oven-baked BBQ baby back ribs are slow-cooked until perfectly tender, then coated with layers of barbecue sauce for a delicious sticky finish.

Ingredients

For the Dry Rub

• ½ cup ancho chile powder
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup salt
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried chipotle pepper

For the Ribs

• 1 rack baby back pork ribs
• 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Make the Dry Rub:
   In a small bowl, combine the ancho chile powder, white sugar, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, cumin, dry mustard, cayenne pepper, and dried chipotle pepper. Mix well.
3. Prepare the Ribs:
   Place the ribs meat-side down on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Using a knife, prick the back of the rib rack several times.
4. Season the Ribs:
   Generously rub the dry seasoning mixture over all sides of the ribs, making sure they are evenly coated.
5. Wrap the Ribs:
   Keep the ribs meat-side down and tightly wrap them in the aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet. Place the wrapped ribs on a baking sheet.
6. Bake Until Tender:
   Bake in the preheated oven for about 2 hours, or until the ribs are tender and fully cooked. Remove from the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes.
7. Increase the Oven Temperature:
   Increase the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
8. Add the BBQ Sauce:
   Carefully open the foil and drain away any accumulated juices and excess fat. Brush the barbecue sauce generously over all sides of the ribs.
9. Bake and Glaze:
   Place the ribs meat-side up and return them to the oven with the foil left open. Bake for 10 minutes.

   Remove the ribs, brush another layer of barbecue sauce over the meat-side, and return them to the oven for another 10 minutes.

   Repeat this process 4 more times, brushing with additional BBQ sauce each time, for a total of 50 minutes of baking time at 350°F.

10. Serve:
    Remove the ribs from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Cut the rack into individual ribs and serve hot with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these delicious BBQ ribs with:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• French fries
• Macaroni and cheese
• A fresh green salad

Tips for Perfect Ribs

• For extra tender ribs, remove the thin membrane from the back of the rack before seasoning.
• Wrap the ribs tightly in foil to help keep them moist while they bake.
• Apply several thin layers of BBQ sauce rather than one thick layer for a delicious sticky glaze.
• Let the ribs rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.