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Dinner Air Fryer 30 Minutes or Less Seafood
4.7 from 42 votes

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •2/11/21 6 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for air fryer lobster tails.

Juicy lobster tails made in the air fryer! My Air Fryer Lobster Tails are incredibly easy to make, brushed with a succulent garlic butter and simple seasoning, this will become your new favorite method for making lobster!

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Pull out that air fryer because we’re making LOBSTER TAILS! As you may have noticed, the air fryer is my new favorite kitchen tool. I love that we can make all of our favorites, without any excess grease or oil. These lobster tails are incredibly easy to make in the air fryer, with the same juicy texture and buttery flavor we know and love.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

  • Simple, Short Ingredient List
  • Easy To Make – Takes Only 10 Minutes Total Cooking Time
  • Minimal Prep/Clean Up
  • Fool Proof Instructions
  • Delicious & Succulent Seafood

Traditionally, we boil lobster tails, but not anymore! After trying this air fryer method, this will be the only way you make lobster tails. With a short, simple list of ingredients, this easy recipe is succulent, flavorful and produces the juiciest lobster tails with a beautiful crisp outer skin.

Ingredient Notes

ingredients needed to make lobster tails.
  • Lobster Tails – I used 4 tails for this recipe, they were 4 oz each! Keep in mind the cook time will vary depending on the weight. You can use fresh or frozen tails for this recipe, if using frozen make sure they are fully thawed before continuing.
  • Butter – I always opt for unsalted to control the sodium.
  • Lemon – You’ll want fresh lemon zest, it really enhances the flavor.
  • Garlic – Fresh is best! Minced.
  • Seasoning – I used a simple combination of smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Parsley – Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish. We eat with our eyes first!

How To Cook Lobster Tails In The Air Fryer

detailed process shots showing how to make lobster tails in the air fryer.
  1. Butterfly Lobster Tails: Cut lengthwise through the center of the top hard shell of the lobster tail with kitchen shears. Cut through, but not all the way to the bottom of the shells; spread the tail halves apart. Place the lobster tail the air fryer basket with meat facing up.
  2. Make Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Stir and cook for another minute. Transfer half of this mixture to a smaller bowl, and brush over the lobster tails.
  3. Cook: Cook the lobster tails in the air fryer at 380°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until the lobster meat is opaque. Spoon reserved butter mixture over the lobster meat and serve garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.

FAQs & Expert Tips

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does “Butterfly” Mean?

To “butterfly” the meat, we are essentially removing the backbone. While this may seem complicated, it’s super easy to do!

How To Butterfly Your Lobster

1. Butterfly lobster tails by cutting lengthwise through the center of the hard top shells and meat with kitchen shears.
2. Cut to, but not through, the bottoms of the shells. Spread the tail halves apart.
3. Place tails in the air fryer basket with lobster meat facing up.

How Do I Know When My Lobster Is Done?

The lobster tails are cooked through when the meat becomes opaque. Mine took about 6 minutes, but the time can vary depending on size, weight etc. 5-7 minutes should work for most lobster tails.

How To Serve

Butter, butter and more butter. Would it even be lobster without being smothered in melted butter? This is where you can get creative as well! Try out different butter combinations with your air fryer lobster tails! Use a variety of herbs and spices, garlic etc to make flavorful butter variations. Basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary etc would all be great options! And of course, I can’t go without saying my copycat Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits pair perfectly with these.

overhead of a lobster tail cooked in the air fryer with a baked potato on a white plate.

Tips

  1. Make sure when you’re cutting your lobster tails do not cut through the bottom shell! Remember “cut all the way to, not through”
  2. Feel free to add any of your favorite herbs and spices! Make the lobster tails to your liking.
  3. You can use frozen lobster tails, just thaw them first before proceeding with instructions.
  4. I love serving my lobster with fresh lemon, it adds such a nice hit of brightness to the dish!
  5. Don’t have an air fryer? You can preheat your oven to broil and cook the lobster tails on baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes.
lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover lobster tails sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating

To reheat your lobster:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees.
  2. Put the lobster in an oven-safe dish with some liquid (stock or butter) and cover it with foil. Make sure there is liquid in the dish!!!
  3. Reheat in the oven until the lobster is heated through.
a lobster tail on a white plate with a baked potato.

More Great Recipes To Try

  • Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
  • Air Fryer Pork Chops
  • Garlic Butter Shrimp
  • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

lobster tails on a white serving platter.
Print
4.70 from 42 votes

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 20 minutes
Rate Recipe
Juicy lobster tails made in the air fryer! My Air Fryer Lobster Tails are incredibly easy to make, brushed with a succulent garlic butter and simple seasoning, this will become your new favorite method for making lobster!
4

Ingredients

  • 4 lobster tails (4 oz each)
  • 8 tablespoon butter (unsalted, 1 stick)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Butterfly Lobster Tails: Cut lengthwise through the center of the top hard shell of the lobster tail with kitchen shears. Cut through, but not all the way to the bottom of the shells; spread the tail halves apart. Place the lobster tail the air fryer basket with meat facing up.
  • Make Butter Mixture: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Stir and cook for another minute. Transfer half of this mixture to a smaller bowl, and brush over the lobster tails.
  • Cook: Cook the lobster tails in the air fryer at 380°F for 5 to 7 minutes or until the lobster meat is opaque. Spoon reserved butter mixture over the lobster meat and serve garnished with parsley and lemon wedges.

Equipment

  • 1-Quart Saucepan
  • GoWISE USA Air Fryer

Notes

  1. Make sure when you’re cutting your lobster tails do not cut through the bottom shell! Remember “cut all the way to, not through”
  2. Feel free to add any of your favorite herbs and spices! Make the lobster tails to your liking.
  3. You can use frozen lobster tails, just thaw them first before proceeding with instructions.
  4. I love serving my lobster with fresh lemon, it adds such a nice hit of brightness to the dish!
  5. Don’t have an air fryer? You can preheat your oven to broil and cook the lobster tails on baking sheet for about 5-10 minutes.
  6. Store leftover lobster tails sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1lobster tailCalories: 253kcal (13%)Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 11g (22%)Fat: 23g (35%)Saturated Fat: 15g (94%)Cholesterol: 141mg (47%)Sodium: 272mg (12%)Potassium: 127mg (4%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 907IU (18%)Vitamin C: 4mg (5%)Calcium: 63mg (6%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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6 Comments
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Janet Levy
Janet Levy
Posted: 1 year ago

I’ve roasted these in the oven stuffed with Dungeness crabmeat and homemade herbed breadcrumbs.

Which air fryer do you recommend?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Janet Levy
Posted: 1 year ago

I just recently bought the GoWise USA air fryer and I love it, here’s the link for it (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3a02f0j

0
Reply
Tom Roselle
Tom Roselle
Posted: 1 year ago

What size air fryer do you use? Thanks

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Tom Roselle
Posted: 1 year ago

It’s a 5.8 qt air fryer, here’s the link for it (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3a02f0j

0
Reply
nancy
nancy
Posted: 1 year ago

5 stars
What a great idea for valentines day!! Of course, I always melt more butter..yum!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  nancy
Posted: 1 year ago

Always!

0
Reply

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
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