Air Fryer Lobster Tail – Recipes From A Pantry

Cooking lobster tail in air fryer is so simple. It’s my favorite way to cook lobster. In just 7 minutes, you will have succulent air fryer lobster tail meat beautifully presented on its shell. The meal looks and tastes like something you’d get in a fancy restaurant, but you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own home (and in your pajamas, too!). 

Topped with a lemon garlic sauce, air fryer lobster tails are bursting with flavor. Tender, juicy, and oh-so buttery, lobster tail really is perfect for cooking in the air fryer and can be served in many different ways.

Air fryer lobster tail pairs perfectly with your favorite creamy pasta and serve with a side salad.

Or, go all out for an incredible surf and turf dinner by adding juicy Air Fryer Steak and Air Fryer Baked Potatoes to this delectable lobster tail air fryer meal. Friends, trust me when I say you’re going to love fine dining done air fryer style.

Why Make This Recipe

• Just 7 Ingredients – Combine lobster tails with a few pantry ingredients for an incredibly simple yet extravagant meal.
• Ready In Under 10 Minutes – Prep work is minimal, and these delicious air fryer lobster tails cook in just a few minutes.  
• Easy to Find – Whole lobsters can be hard to come by in non-coastal regions, but lobster tail is readily available in the freezer section of most grocery stores. 

Ingredient Notes

• Lobster Tails – Look for tails approximately 3-4 ounces each. In the United States, you are most likely to find Maine lobster tails or Rock lobster (spiny lobster) tails. You may find fresh lobster tails, but they are often found in the freezer section with other frozen fish.  
• Olive Oil – Use any light, neutral-flavored oil.  
• Butter – Butter should be melted. Whether you use salted or unsalted butter is up to you! 
• Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice has so much flavor and is always preferred to bottled lemon juice.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is aromatic and flavorful, but garlic powder can be substituted in a pinch.  
• Paprika – A touch of sweet smoked paprika provides color and a slightly smoky flavor. You can use regular paprika if preferred. 
• Parsley or Thyme – Add fresh herbs for garnish. 

Ready to make lobster tails in the air fryer? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Cook Lobster Tail In Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Cut down the middle of the lobster shell with a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Pry the shell open and gently lift out the lobster meat, leaving it connected at the end of the tail, and place it on top of the shell. This makes for a lovely presentation.
2. Combine olive oil, melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika in a small bowl.
3. Use a pastry brush to spread the lemon garlic butter over the lobster tails, then season with salt and pepper. 
4. Carefully place the lobster tails inside the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes at 350 degrees F / 176 degrees C, or until the meat is opaque and firm.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve the lobster tails immediately. Provide melted butter for dipping. 

Note: Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 140 degrees F / 60 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the lobster meat. Make sure to avoid overcooking! 

How To Butterfly Lobster Tails

1. Begin at the cut end of the lobster tail, where it was removed from the body. 
2. Use sharp kitchen shears to cut through the top layer of the shell, completely avoiding the meat. 
3. Cut until you get to the part where the tail fans out. 
4. Firmly spread apart the cut portion of the shell and lift out the lobster meat with your hands or tongs. The meat should still be connected at the very tip of the tail. 
5. Lay the meat down over the cut and allow the shell to come back together and hold the meat in place. 

Expert Tips 

• Use sharp kitchen shears to cut the lobster shells. 
• Be careful to cut just the top shell when butterflying the tail. 
• Rinse or wipe away any tomalley that is left on the end of the tail. 
• Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your lobster tail, so you don’t overcook the meat. 
• Thaw frozen lobster tails before cooking. 
• Leftover lobster meat is perfect for creating other decadent recipes. 
• If you don’t have an air fryer, you can broil for 10-15 minutes, or check out this post for how to cook Instant Pot Lobster Tail.

Delicious Variations

• Cajun Style – Add cajun seasoning to the melted butter for a zippy creole flavor. 
• Garlic Parmesan – Sprinkle with a bit of fresh parmesan just before serving. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Frozen lobster tails should be thawed completely. 
• Store – Leftover cooked lobster tail meat can be stored in the fridge for a couple of days, but is best enjoyed fresh as it has a tendency to become chewy when reheated. 
• Freeze – Remove the meat from the shells and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

Serving Suggestions

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my air fryer lobster tails recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog. 

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Print Recipe

Air Fryer Lobster Tail

Make gourmet lobster tails with lemon garlic butter in less than 10 minutes.

Prep Time3 mins

Cook Time7 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 2

Calories: 139kcal

Instructions

• Cut down the middle of the lobster shell with a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Pry the shell open and gently lift out the lobster meat, leaving it connected at the end of the tail, and place it on top of the shell.

• Combine olive oil, melted butter, lemon juice, garlic and paprika in a small bowl.

• Use a pastry brush to spread the lemon garlic butter over the lobster tails, then season with salt and pepper.

• Carefully place the lobster tails inside the air fryer basket and cook for 7 minutes at 350 degrees F / 176 degrees C, or until the meat is opaque and firm.

• Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve the lobster tails immediately. Provide melted butter for dipping.

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Notes

• Use sharp kitchen shears to cut the lobster shells. 
• Be careful just to cut the top shell when butterflying the tail. 
• Rinse or wipe away any tomalley that is left on the end of the tail. 
• Adjust the cooking time based on the size of your lobster tail, so you don’t overcook the meat. 
• Thaw frozen lobster tails before cooking. 
• Leftover lobster meat is perfect for creating other decadent recipes. 
• If you don’t have an air fryer you can broil for 10-15 minutes.
• Storage – remove leftover lobster meat from the shell, then store in an airtight container inside the fridge for 2-3 days.
• There are 5 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 180mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.2mg