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    Home » Recipes » Seafood » Air Fryer Lobster Tail

    Air Fryer Lobster Tail

    Published: Feb 20, 2023 Modified: Jun 5, 2023 by Isabel Laessig

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    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    Air fryer lobster tail on a plate with asparagus and steak
    Jump to:
    • Air Fryer Lobster Tails
    • Air Fryer Lobster Tail Ingredients
    • How to Air Fry Lobster Tails
    • How to Butterfly Lobster Tail
    • Surf and Turf Recipe
    • Lobster Tail in Air Fryer Tips
    • Air Fried Lobster Tails FAQs
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Air Fryer Lobster Tails

    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.

    I’m so excited that my air fryer lobster tailed turned out excellent the very first time. It was so easy!!! I’ll never buy prepared lobster tails again!!

    Sharon on Pinterest
    air fryer steak and lobster on a plate with asparagus and a fork

    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.

    Ingredients to make air fryer lobster tail with labels

    How to Air Fry Lobster Tails

    1. Start by butterflying your lobster tail.
    2. Melt garlic butter (salted butter mixed with garlic and parsley) over medium heat in a small saucepan.
      Melting garlic butter in a skillet
    3. Transfer garlic butter sauce to a small bowl. Brush the lobster tail meat with it and season with salt and pepper to taste.
      Brushing garlic butter onto lobster meat
    4. 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.
      Lobster tails in the air fryer basket
    5. Squeeze lemon wedges over the lobster tails and serve with the leftover garlic butter sauce for dipping.
      Juicing a lemon over an air fryer lobster tail

    How to Butterfly Lobster Tail

    1. 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.
      Cutting a lobster tail with kitchen scissors
    2. 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.
      Butterflied lobster tails on a white plate

    Surf and Turf 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!

    Lobster Tail in Air Fryer Tips

    • Try my favorite 10-Quart Air Fryer for this and other air fryer recipes.
    • 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.
    • 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 Fried Lobster Tails FAQs

    Can you cook frozen lobster tails in an air fryer?

    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.

    How do you quickly thaw frozen lobster?

    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 Recipes

    • Air Fryer Bacon
    • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    • Air Fryer Pork Chops
    • Air Fryer Mushrooms
    • Air Fryer Ribs

    Try my Grilled Lobster Tail next!

    📋 Recipe

    Close up of lobster tail in air fryer basket

    Air Fryer Lobster Tail

    Isabel Laessig
    Learn how to air fry lobster tail for an incredible meal! Air fryer lobster tail is so easy, ready in 10 minutes, and delicious.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 lobster tails
    Calories 214 kcal

    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    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
    Cooking Conversions

    See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!

    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
      Cutting a lobster tail with kitchen scissors
    • 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.
      Butterflied lobster tails on a white plate

    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
      Melting garlic butter in a skillet
    • 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
      Brushing garlic butter onto lobster meat
    • 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.
      Lobster tails in the air fryer basket
    • 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
      Juicing a lemon over an air fryer lobster tail

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1lobster tailCalories: 214kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 187mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 788IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword air fryer lobster tail, air fryer lobster tails, lobster tail in air fryer, lobster tail recipe
    Did you try this recipe?Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
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    Isabel, AKA Family Foodie

    About Isabel Laessig

    Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!

    » About Me

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lizet says

      February 11, 2020 at 10:19 am

      This has my name all over! Perfect Valentine’s dinner.

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Thank you, Lizet! We hope you love it!

        Reply
    2. Alison Corey says

      February 11, 2020 at 10:30 am

      Wow! I’m always impressed by what an air fryer can do! This could be a real special Valentine’s meal!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Me too, Alison. Thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Monica says

      February 11, 2020 at 10:37 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:08 pm

        Thank you so much, Monica! The air fryer really cooks things perfectly!

        Reply
    4. Beth says

      February 11, 2020 at 10:51 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:07 pm

        Thank you so much, Beth! They really both turn out perfectly in the air fryer. It’s amazing what that appliance can do!

        Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony says

      February 11, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Now, this is a special Valentine’s meal! This is sure to impress any special someone and really show them your love.

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:07 pm

        Thank you, Kelly! 💕

        Reply
    6. Carrie Robinson says

      February 11, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      This has to be the most perfect dinner idea for Valentine’s Day! <3

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:07 pm

        Thank you so much, Carrie!

        Reply
    7. Jen says

      February 11, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      I know what I am making to impress my hubby!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:06 pm

        We are so glad to hear it!

        Reply
    8. Jessica Formicola says

      February 11, 2020 at 12:41 pm

      I am so glad to have found this recipe! I will definitely be making it for Valentine’s Day dinner!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:06 pm

        Thanks so much, Jessica! Please let us know how it goes!

        Reply
    9. Suzy says

      February 11, 2020 at 12:49 pm

      The best kind of meal when it cooks up quickly but has great flavor! Love it!

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:06 pm

        Thank you, Suzy! Totally agree!

        Reply
    10. Irina says

      February 11, 2020 at 2:29 pm

      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…

      Reply
      • Em Beitel says

        February 14, 2020 at 12:05 pm

        Thank you so much, Irina! Thankfully it’s so easy to make! 💖

        Reply
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