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!
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
- 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
- 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.
FAQs & Expert Tips
FAQs
To “butterfly” the meat, we are essentially removing the backbone. While this may seem complicated, it’s super easy to do!
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.
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.
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.
Tips
- Make sure when you’re cutting your lobster tails do not cut through the bottom shell! Remember “cut all the way to, not through”
- Feel free to add any of your favorite herbs and spices! Make the lobster tails to your liking.
- You can use frozen lobster tails, just thaw them first before proceeding with instructions.
- I love serving my lobster with fresh lemon, it adds such a nice hit of brightness to the dish!
- 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.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover lobster tails sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating
To reheat your lobster:
- Preheat your oven to 350 F degrees.
- 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!!!
- Reheat in the oven until the lobster is heated through.
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Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails 4 oz each
- 8 tbsp butter unsalted, 1 stick
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
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.
Recipe Notes
- Make sure when you’re cutting your lobster tails do not cut through the bottom shell! Remember “cut all the way to, not through”
- Feel free to add any of your favorite herbs and spices! Make the lobster tails to your liking.
- You can use frozen lobster tails, just thaw them first before proceeding with instructions.
- I love serving my lobster with fresh lemon, it adds such a nice hit of brightness to the dish!
- 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.
- Store leftover lobster tails sealed in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
I’ve roasted these in the oven stuffed with Dungeness crabmeat and homemade herbed breadcrumbs.
Which air fryer do you recommend?
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
What size air fryer do you use? Thanks
It’s a 5.8 qt air fryer, here’s the link for it (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3a02f0j
What a great idea for valentines day!! Of course, I always melt more butter..yum!
Always!