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Making air fryer lobster tails is an easy way to prepare this seafood favorite. This recipe keeps it simple, with just butter, garlic, lemon, and a few seasonings!
If you love this dish, you might also enjoy our other air fryer seafood recipes, like air fryer cod, air fryer salmon, air fryer garlic butter shrimp, or air fryer crab cakes.
You might also enjoy this article with 21 Low Carb Air Fryer recipes.
Table of Contents
WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE
I love having lobster at a fancy restaurant, but usually only for a special occasion. But making them in the air fryer is not only easy, but this is probably one of the best lobster tail recipes I’ve ever made! The lobster meat was so moist and juicy!
These garlic butter lobster tails are so easy to make with a simple seasoning mixture, and a garlic butter sauce, they are full of flavor in every bite! I love using the air fryer to make an impressive meal for family, and this recipe does not disappoint!
INGREDIENTS
- lobster tails-Try to get even-sized lobster tails so they air fry evenly. I use 8 ounce lobster tails for this recipe.
- unsalted butter
- garlic minced
- lemon juice
- salt and pepper
- Old Bay Seasoning
Optional: Lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish
Of course, seasonings can be changed to your preference. You can even just use butter and garlic if you prefer, but I like a pinch of lemon, and just light seasonings for extra flavor.
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
To prepare the tails, using sharp kitchen shears, butterfly lobster tails by cutting the top of the shell down the middle. Be careful to not cut all the way through.
STEP 2
Once sliced, gently pull shell back to get to the lobster meat.
STEP 3
Gently pull the meat up through the open shell so that it rests on the top of the shell.
STEP 4
Melt the two tablespoons butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat, or in a small microwave safe bowl. Then add in the garlic and seasonings, and stir together.
STEP 5
Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, and then brush the butter mixture onto the meat.
STEP 6
Once they are buttered and seasoned, place the basket into the fryer and air fry lobster at 380 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. Depending on the thickness, you may need to air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes.
EXPERT TIPS
- Halfway through air frying, you can lightly brush another little drizzle of the melted garlic and butter.
- Dip lobster tail meat with melted butter, and fresh lemon wedges to garnish. If you are looking for a side dish, I made this air fryer asparagus, and they went really well together.
- Once your tails are halfway done cooking, you can lightly brush another little drizzle of the melted garlic and butter.
- These lobster tails took the full eight minutes because of their size. I use a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer for my lobster tails, so keep an eye on yours the first time you make them, and check after 5 minutes.
Are you new to air fryers? If you are, we have a great article about What is an Air Fryer. It talks about what you can make, how to use it, and more.
Looking for the BEST accessories to use with your air fryer? We’ve put together this list of our favorite Air Fryer Accessories.
VARIATIONS
This air fryer lobster tail recipe makes the juiciest lobster tails! However, if you want to switch up how you serve the meat, cut the meat into bites and then toss pieces of lobster with a lemon butter sauce and noodles for a creamy lobster pasta. You can even serve lobster meat cold in a tossed salad!
Make air fryer steak with this lobster for a perfect date night with surf and turf!
STORING AND REHEATING
Air fried lobster meat is best when freshly cooked. However, if you do have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
FAQS
Of course you want fresh or frozen lobster tails. Look for good color tails, without any gray or discoloration in the meat. For a good serving size, try to purchase lobster tails that are 6-12 ounces.
The meat should be white, but to confirm, stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the tail. Internal temperature should be 135 degrees F.
MORE AIR FRYER SEAFOOD RECIPES
This recipe keeps it simple, but does not disappoint with presentation or flavor! It is the perfect elegant meal!
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Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 lobster tails, 6-8 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon old bay seasoning
Instructions
- To prepare the tails, using sharp kitchen scissors, cut the top of the shell down the middle. Be careful to not cut all the way through.
- Once sliced, gently pull shell back to get to the lobster meat.
- Gently pull the meat up through the open shell so that it rests on the top of the shell.
- Melt the two tablespoons butter in a small sauce pan on medium heat, or in a small microwave safe bowl. Then add in the garlic and seasonings, and stir together.
- Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, and then brush the butter mixture onto the meat.
- Once they are buttered and seasoned, place the basket into the fryer and air fry lobster at 380 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. Depending on the thickness, you may need to air fry for an additional 2-4 minutes.
Notes
- These lobster tails took the full eight minutes because of their size. Because air fryers can have different wattages, be sure to keep an eye on yours the first time you make them, and check after 5 minutes.
- I found these gorgeous tails at the local grocery store. They were almost 8 ounces each! Usually, I can easily find 6-8 ounce tails, so if you go with smaller tails, just adjust the cooking time.
- Once the lobster meat is lifted out the shell, they can be top heavy. To help balance the tails, fan the tail fins open.
- Be sure to use sharp kitchen scissors when cutting the tail.
- Weight Watchers: Substitute unsalted butter for Countryside Creamery Tastes Like Butter Spray to make this meal ZERO points
- KETO: C/1 P/30 F/12
- Note: Protein is based on an 8 ounce lobster tail
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do the lobster tails have to be defrosted if they are frozen?
Hi Gale, I would defrost them first. You could probably do that in the air fryer for a couple of minutes too. You will need to cut the shells and be able to lift the meat up out of the shell in order to properly cook them. ‘
Thank you so much for the air fryer recipe for crab legs. So much better than using a pot to cook them in and no mess. I’m going to try the Lobster tails next.
my air fryer has racks can they be done on the rack
Yes! They can.
my air fryer does need to get the the right temperature, so, I say yes, you do have to allow it to “warm up”
Do you pre-heat the air fryer? I may have missed that. Thank you
No, you do not have to preheat the air fryer.