You know ribs, of course, and we have a great ribs for kids recipe that will make everyone in your house–including you, too, grill daddy–happy. But perhaps you did not (already) know that the rest of the world often eats ribs quite differently, most especially in Asia where they often function as a kind of bar snack to go along with drinks or to wash down late nights–drunk people’s food, in other words. While such ribs take shortcuts in both process and in their pleasure principles may very well piss off the barbecue purists among us, we can’t deny it: these ribs are pretty frickin’ awesome. Crispy, saucy, meaty–they’re a bit like if a casual chain restaurant a la Applebee’s crossed their chicken tenders with their riblets. And they come together insanely quickly–like, thirty minutes fast. Bar snacks, you say? For some, but consider these crispy ribs for kids as raising the dinner bar for you.
Can I make these ribs ahead of time? Yes, you can prep the ribs by cutting them into riblets and storing them in the refrigerator a day in advance. However, for the absolute best texture, wait to coat them in the potato starch until right before they go into the oven so they stay crispy.
What if I don't have potato starch? Cornstarch makes an excellent 1:1 substitute. It will still give you a light, crispy crunch that absorbs the sticky glaze beautifully.
Are these ribs for kids too salty for a young toddler? Oyster and hoisin sauces do contain sodium. If you are serving younger toddlers or infants, you can dilute the glaze slightly with a tablespoon of water or apple juice, or brush the sauce on more sparingly.
How do I make sure the rib meat isn't too tough for kids? Removing the back membrane is the most important step for tenderness. Because they are cut into single riblets and roasted quickly, the meat stays juicy. For very young toddlers, you can easily slice the meat right off the bone before serving.
Can I make this recipe in an air fryer? Absolutely. Cook the starched riblets in a single layer at 360°F for about 15–18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Coat with the sauce and air fry at 400°F for another 2–3 minutes until bubbly.
And check out all our great toddler dinner recipes!
Introduce your family to a fun twist on dinner with these crispy, sticky Asian-style ribs for kids that cook in just 30 minutes. Cut into individual riblets, they are perfectly sized for little hands and packed with a sweet, kid-approved glaze.
Feel free to slice the meat right off the rib for easy eating. While chips or fries are easy side options, our personal favorite is to heat some cooked corn niblets–from a can or reheated in the microwave–with a bit of mayo and a bunch of shredded cheese.
The sauce can go in almost any direction you’d like it to just by switching out the hoisin for another option–say, gojuchang for something spicy. You can also keep it simple by using jarred barbecue sauce as your marinade–just skip all the listed sauce ingredients above.
Servings 6
Serving Size 2 riblets
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
