Air Fryer Lobster Tail

Recipe Author:

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.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings 2 lobster tails

Calories 214 kcal

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

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

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4.80 from 5 votes

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.
Keep reading for more tips!

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

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 to Air Fry Lobster Tails (Step-by-Step)

Start by butterflying your lobster tail.
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 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.

How to Defrost Frozen Lobster Tails

You can defrost frozen lobster tails safely one of two ways:

Place the frozen lobster tails in a tightly-sealed bag on a plate in the refrigerator overnight to thaw the night before you plan on cooking them. This is the safest and easiest way to defrost frozen lobster tails, but if you're in a hurry, you can use the second method below.
Add the frozen lobster tails to an airtight zip-top plastic bag. Place the bag in cold water. Make sure the water is cold, not warm or hot. Change the water every 30 minutes or so until the tails are defrosted. Usually, this takes about an hour.

Lobster Tail in the Air Fryer Recipe 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. See defrosting tips above!
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.

Surf and Turf Recipe

For an excellent Sunday dinner for two, serve air fryer lobster tail with steak! It's also easy to make steak in the air fryer for an air fryer surf and turf. Try my Air Fryer Filet Mignon!