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Coated in garlic butter sauce, and oh-so juicy and tender, Air Fryer Lobster Tail is the best way to cook lobster! Ready to eat in less than 10 minutes in the air fryer. Serve it with air fryer steak for an amazing steak and lobster dinner!
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Lobster Tail in Air Fryer
One of my favorite meals to enjoy as a Sunday dinner for two is a steak and lobster dinner. There is nothing quite like the pairing of buttery soft steak with juicy, tender lobster tails. And by far, my favorite way to cook lobster tails is in the air fryer!
This recipe for lobster tail in the air fryer has it all. The lobster tail is so tender and flavorful from a nice coating of garlic butter sauce, and it all cooks in less than 10 minutes.
If you’re not familiar with cooking lobster tails, don’t worry! This lobster tail air fryer recipe could not be easier. Plus, I’ll show you how to butterfly lobster tail and, if you’re planning on using frozen, how to thaw lobster tail.
Air Fried Lobster Tails FAQs
The trick to perfectly cooking frozen lobster tails well is to properly thaw them. So, before you air fry lobster tail, thaw it first. How to thaw lobster tail: place the tails in bags with the air pressed out on a plate, then place them in the refrigerator overnight.
If you want to thaw lobster tails quickly, place them in bags with the air pressed out, then thaw them under cold running water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Make sure the bags don’t have any holes in them before placing them under running water. After thawing, pat dry before cooking.
Air Fryer Lobster Tail Ingredients
- Lobster tails
- Garlic butter – garlic, parsley, salted butter
- Lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Parsley, for garnish
Garlic butter is my favorite pairing with this air fryer lobster tail recipe, but you can also try it with lemon butter sauce or cowboy butter. If you use lemon butter sauce, brush with plain butter when air frying, then pair with the sauce when plating.
How to Butterfly Lobster Tail
- Using kitchen scissors, cut lengthwise through the center of the shells. Cut through about ¾ of the lobster tail, but do not cut all of the way through.
- Carefully spread the shell open where you cut. Place your fingers under the meat in the shell and firmly, but gently, pull it out in one piece. Close the shell so the lobster meat rests on top of the shell.
How do you air fry lobster tail?
- Start by butterflying your lobster tail. Once this is done, move on to step 2.
- Melt garlic butter (salted butter mixed with garlic and parsley) over medium heat in a small saucepan.
- Transfer garlic butter sauce to a small bowl. Brush the lobster tail meat with it (about 2 Tablespoons worth) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place lobster tails in the air fryer basket with the meat facing up. Air fry lobster at 380°F for 5-7 minutes, until the lobster meat is opaque.
- Squeeze lemon wedges over the lobster tails and serve with the leftover garlic butter sauce for dipping.
Steak and Lobster Recipe
For an amazing Sunday dinner for two, serve air fryer lobster tail with steak! It’s easy to make steak in the air fryer, too, for an air fryer surf and turf. Try my Air Fryer Filet Mignon!
Air Frying Lobster Tails Tips
- When the lobster tails are done, the meat will be opaque. This takes about 5-7 minutes for 4 ounce lobster tails. I recommend checking at 5 minutes and if they’re done, remove and serve; if not, add another minute.
- You can use frozen lobster as long as you thaw it first. See Air Fried Lobster Tails FAQs (click to jump) for how to thaw lobster tails.
- If you don’t have kitchen scissors, you can use a sharp knife, but be extra careful not to cut through the bottom of the shell. You want to only cut the top shell to pull the meat out through the top.
Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Mushrooms
- Air Fryer Ribs
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📋 Recipe
Air Fryer Lobster Tail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 4 oz. lobster tails
- 4 Tablespoons garlic butter
- ½ lemon cut into wedges
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
How to Butterfly Lobster Tail
- Using kitchen scissors, cut lengthwise through the center of the shells. Cut through about ¾ of the lobster tail, but do not cut all of the way through.2 4 oz. lobster tails
- Carefully spread the shell open where you cut. Place your fingers under the meat in the shell and firmly, but gently, pull it out in one piece. Close the shell so the lobster meat rests on top of the shell.
Air Frying Lobster Tail
- Melt garlic butter (salted butter mixed with garlic and parsley) over medium heat in a small saucepan.4 Tablespoons garlic butter
- Transfer 2 Tablespoons garlic butter sauce to a small bowl. Brush the lobster tail meat with it and season with salt and pepper to taste.Salt, Pepper
- Place lobster tails in the air fryer basket with the meat facing up. Air fry lobster at 380°F for 5-7 minutes, until the lobster meat is opaque.
- Squeeze lemon wedges over the lobster tails and serve with the leftover garlic butter sauce for dipping. Top with chopped parsley if desired.½ lemon, Chopped parsley
Notes
- When the lobster tails are done, the meat will be opaque. This takes about 5-7 minutes for 4 ounce lobster tails. I recommend checking at 5 minutes and if they’re done, remove and serve; if not, add another minute.
- You can use frozen lobster as long as you thaw it first. See Air Fried Lobster Tails FAQs (click to jump) for how to thaw lobster tails.
- If you don’t have kitchen scissors, you can use a sharp knife, but be extra careful not to cut through the bottom of the shell. You want to only cut the top shell to pull the meat out through the top.
This has my name all over! Perfect Valentine’s dinner.
Thank you, Lizet! We hope you love it!
Wow! I’m always impressed by what an air fryer can do! This could be a real special Valentine’s meal!
Me too, Alison. Thank you so much!
This looks like reason enough to get an air fryer right here – that steak looks incredible! This would definitely be a meal to look forward to!
Thank you so much, Monica! The air fryer really cooks things perfectly!
This is genius! I never thought about cooking a filet in the air fryer or a lobster tail, certainly. I can not believe how well both of them came out! This is my new go-to way to cook a perfect steak! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Beth! They really both turn out perfectly in the air fryer. It’s amazing what that appliance can do!
Now, this is a special Valentine’s meal! This is sure to impress any special someone and really show them your love.
Thank you, Kelly! 💕
This has to be the most perfect dinner idea for Valentine’s Day! <3
Thank you so much, Carrie!
I know what I am making to impress my hubby!
We are so glad to hear it!
I am so glad to have found this recipe! I will definitely be making it for Valentine’s Day dinner!
Thanks so much, Jessica! Please let us know how it goes!
The best kind of meal when it cooks up quickly but has great flavor! Love it!
Thank you, Suzy! Totally agree!
You know, if I make this meal and serve it to my guys, they will ask for more. I am sure. It looks so DELICIOUS. It is OMG dinner meal…
Thank you so much, Irina! Thankfully it’s so easy to make! 💖