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Air fryer lobster tails and air fryer steak makes the perfect Surf and Turf Recipe! Luscious lobster and beautiful steak topped with garlic butter sauce cook to perfection in minutes in this easy recipe. Perfect for a romantic dinner!
Jump to:
- Surf and Turf Meaning
- Garlic Butter Sauce for Steak and Lobster
- What steak should I use for air fryer steak?
- What is filet mignon?
- Air Fried Steak Seasoning
- Can I air fry lobster tails that are frozen?
- How to Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails
- Do you rinse lobster tails before cooking?
- How to Eat Lobster
- Recipe Tips
- Is this recipe keto-friendly?
- What is a good side dish for steak and lobster?
- Best Air Fryer Recipes
- 📌 Pin it for later!
- 📋 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Surf and Turf Meaning
Surf and turf recipes consist of beef and seafood, usually shellfish – like shrimp or lobster! For this version, I use steak and lobster. It’s a classic made even better with homemade garlic butter sauce and the air fryer!
I love making this air fryer surf and turf recipe for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. It’s a perfect combination with beautiful, buttery lobster tails and air fryer filet mignon.
Garlic Butter Sauce for Steak and Lobster
The star of the show in this surf and turf recipe is our garlic butter sauce. Herby, garlicky, and so delicious, this easy recipe is perfect for topping surf and turf recipes.
Get the recipe here: Garlic Butter Sauce
What steak should I use for air fryer steak?
You can use any cut of beef you would like for this dish, but we use filet mignon in air fryer. It turns out beautifully medium-rare at 4 minutes on each side.
If you’re using a thinner steak, keep in mind your cook time will vary. Try making air fryer ribeye!
What is filet mignon?
The filet mignon cut is from the small end of the beef tenderloin, and is thought to be one of the best, most tender cuts of beef. It is my favorite beef cut for this recipe!
Air Fried Steak Seasoning
We use Chicago steak seasoning in this recipe, but any seasoning you like will do! Just salt and pepper work well, also. Here are some of our favorite rubs to try:
- Best Dry Rub for Steak
- Sweet and Salty Roast Beef Rub
- Rosemary Salt Seasoning
Can I air fry lobster tails that are frozen?
Frozen lobster tails can be used, but should be thawed before cooking. The trick to cooking frozen lobster tails well is properly thawing them. Once you have them properly thawed you can easily air fry lobster tail.
How to Thaw Frozen Lobster Tails
Thaw your lobster tails the night before you plan on cooking them. Place the tails in bags with the air pressed out on a plate or towel, and allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To thaw the lobster tails the same day as you plan to cook them, place the tails in zip-lock plastic bags and press all of the air out.
- Make sure the bags do not have any holes.
- Allow them to thaw under cold running water for 30 minutes to an hour.
After thawing and before preparing to cook, pat your lobster tails completely dry.
Do you rinse lobster tails before cooking?
Lobster is usually cleaned up before being sold, but if you need or want to, you can rinse the outside. Rinse the shell with cold water before cooking your air fried lobster tails.
How to Eat Lobster
For the best flavor, lemon and garlic butter are perfect choices with lobster tail recipes. Reserve a little extra garlic butter sauce to dip the lobster meat in!
Recipe Tips
- If using thick steaks: If your steaks are on the thicker side, you may need to cook them for 1 minute longer on each side.
- Cut against the grain: Always cut steak against the grain.
- How long to cook lobster tails: For 4 oz. lobster tails, cook approximately 5 to 7 minutes. The meat will be white and opaque when done.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes! Air fryer surf and turf is a great addition to a keto dinner menu! With less than 30 minutes of prep and cook time, this is one of the easiest, most simple keto recipes you can make.
What is a good side dish for steak and lobster?
For an appetizer, try our Arugula Burrata Salad Recipe!
Best Air Fryer Recipes
📌 Pin it for later!
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Did you try our air fryer lobster and steak recipe? Leave a comment and a rating below to let us know what you think! We love to hear from you!
📋 Recipe
Surf and Turf Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
Steak Air Fryer Ingredients
- 2 6 oz. filet mignon steaks
- 2 Tbsp. Chicago steak seasoning or seasoning of your choice (just salt & pepper works well)
- 2 Tbsp. garlic butter
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
Air Fryer Lobster Tails Ingredients
- 2 4 oz. lobster tails
- 4 Tbsp. garlic butter
- ½ lemon cut into wedges
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
How to Fry Steak in Air Fryer
- Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. Chicago steak seasoning or seasoning of your choice on each side of 2 6 oz. filet mignon steaks. Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Brush each side of both steaks with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil each.
- Place the filets in the air fryer and cook for approximately 4 minutes at 390°F. Flip the filets and cook for approximately 4 minutes more.
- Remove from the air fryer and top each filet with 1 Tbsp. garlic butter. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes before cutting.
How to Cook Lobster Tail in Air Fryer
- Butterfly two 4 oz. lobster tails by using kitchen scissors to cut lengthwise through the center of the shells.Give it a good cut through ¾ of the lobster, but do not go 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 that the lobster meat rests on top of the shell.
- Melt 4 Tbsp. garlic butter sauce over medium heat in a small saucepan.
- Transfer 2 Tbsp. of the garlic butter sauce to a small bowl and brush the lobster tail meat with it. Season the lobster tails with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket with the cut lobster meat facing up. Cook at 380°F until the lobster meat is opaque, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Squeeze ½ a lemon (cut into wedges) over the lobster tail. Serve the additional 2 Tbsp. garlic butter sauce in a small dish to use as a dip for the lobster and steak.
Notes
- If using thick steaks: If your steaks are on the thicker side, you may need to cook them for 1 minute longer on each side.
- Cut against the grain: Always cut steak against the grain.
- How long to cook lobster tails: For 4 oz. lobster tails, cook approximately 5 to 7 minutes. The meat will be white and opaque when done.
Lizet says
This has my name all over! Perfect Valentine’s dinner.
Em Beitel says
Thank you, Lizet! We hope you love it!
Alison Corey says
Wow! I’m always impressed by what an air fryer can do! This could be a real special Valentine’s meal!
Em Beitel says
Me too, Alison. Thank you so much!
Monica says
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!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Monica! The air fryer really cooks things perfectly!
Beth says
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!
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Beth! They really both turn out perfectly in the air fryer. It’s amazing what that appliance can do!
Kelly Anthony says
Now, this is a special Valentine’s meal! This is sure to impress any special someone and really show them your love.
Em Beitel says
Thank you, Kelly! 💕
Carrie Robinson says
This has to be the most perfect dinner idea for Valentine’s Day! <3
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Carrie!
Jen says
I know what I am making to impress my hubby!
Em Beitel says
We are so glad to hear it!
Jessica Formicola says
I am so glad to have found this recipe! I will definitely be making it for Valentine’s Day dinner!
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Jessica! Please let us know how it goes!
Suzy says
The best kind of meal when it cooks up quickly but has great flavor! Love it!
Em Beitel says
Thank you, Suzy! Totally agree!
Irina says
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…
Em Beitel says
Thank you so much, Irina! Thankfully it’s so easy to make! 💖