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These Air Fryer Lobster Tails are buttery, tender, and so easy to make. They’re perfect for date night, holiday dinners, or any time you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
“Air frying lobster tails is the easiest way to get flavorful lobster that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, without the stress or the price tag.”
-Becky
This recipe cooks lobster to perfection in just minutes, staying juicy and tender with every bite. It’s the perfect dish for a special occasion or holiday. Whether you’re celebrating something big or just want to treat yourself to something extra delicious at home, you can make an impressive meal with simple ingredients.
For a complete surf and turf meal, add this Air Fryer Ribeye, Air Fryer T-Bone, or Air Fryer New York Strip. Don’t forget to include sides like Air Fryer Baked Potato, or add this yummy Lemon Drop Martini to complete the meal.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- 2 (4–8 ounce) lobster tails: Fresh or thawed from frozen. Try to use similar sized tails for even cooking.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted: Base for the garlic butter glaze.
- 1 clove garlic, minced: Adds savory flavor to the butter.
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice: Brightens the lobster.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Enhances flavor.
- Paprika or Old Bay Seasoning (optional): Adds color and a little kick.
Variations
- Add chopped fresh parsley or chives: For a fresh finish.
- Use Cajun or lemon pepper seasoning: For extra flavor.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne to the butter mixture.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Lobster Tails
- If frozen, thaw lobster tails in the fridge overnight. Butterfly the tails by cutting down the center of the shell.
- Gently pull the meat up over the shell.
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F (193 degrees C). In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, and seasoning. Place lobster tails in the air fryer basket, meat side up. Brush with half of the butter mixture.
- Cook lobster tail for 5–8 minutes, depending on size. Tails are done when the meat is opaque and internal temp reaches 140–145 degrees F (60–63 degrees C). Halfway through cooking, brush with the remaining butter mixture for extra flavor and shine. Remove from air fryer and serve with lemon wedges or additional melted butter.
Expert Tips
- Butterfly evenly: This helps the meat cook evenly and gives it that fancy restaurant presentation.
- Brush with butter twice: Once before cooking and again halfway through to get extra butter flavor.
- Use a thermometer: Lobster is perfect when it hits 140–145 degrees F internally.
- Don’t overcook: Lobster cooks fast and can get a rubbery texture if overdone.
Have questions about air frying? Check out What is an Air Fryer or this list of our favorite Air Fryer Accessories.
Air Fryer Lobster Tails FAQ’s
Use kitchen shears to cut down the center of the top of the shell. Gently pry the shell open and lift the meat out over the shell, keeping it attached at the base.
The internal temp should be 140–145 degrees F (60–63 degrees C). The meat will be opaque and firm.
It’s best to thaw them overnight first. Cooking from frozen is possible but less consistent and takes longer.
Tails that are 4–6 ounces work best in the air fryer. Larger tails (up to 8 ounces) may need 1–2 more minutes.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven at 300 degrees F until warmed through.
More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
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.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
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.
Video
Notes
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. Iโm 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.