Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs
Tender baby back ribs roasted on a sheet pan with a smoky chipotle and sweet maple glaze, finished under the broiler for a caramelized crust. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes turns chipotle powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 racks (about 3 pounds) baby back pork ribs
- 2 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Remove the silver skin from 2 racks of baby back pork ribs and pat dry. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp chipotle powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over both sides of the ribs.
- Step 2: Place the ribs meat side up on a rimmed sheet pan lined with foil. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil. Cover tightly with foil and roast in the oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the ribs are tender and the meat pulls away from the bone easily.
- Step 3: While ribs roast, whisk together 1/4 cup maple syrup and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to make the glaze. After roasting, remove the top foil and brush the ribs generously with the maple-chipotle glaze.
- Step 4: Set the oven to broil on high. Broil the ribs for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully, until the glaze caramelizes and becomes sticky and slightly charred around the edges. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing between the bones to serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs take to make?
Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sheet Pan Chipotle-Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs?
BBQ & Smoked pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
