Air Fryer Lobster Tails are tender and delicious and a super easy way to prepare lobster tails at home. This method involves very little prep work and they are ready in less than ten minutes. Perfect for a special occasion or just any time you feel like having perfectly cooked shellfish at home.
If you are like me, you may find the prospect of cooking lobster tails a little intimidating. Not only is it hard to tell doneness because of the color of the lobster meat, but you don't want to risk overcooking and having it come out rubbery.
Enter, the air fryer. The air fryer can cook lobster tails in less than 10 minutes, with little mess and they come out perfectly every time. This easy lobster tail recipe is a great way to prepare these larger crustaceans for the shellfish novice.
My dad always grills his lobster tails-- they are incredible that way too! However, since it is the winter here in Chicago, and our grill is put away, my Ninja Foodi Deluxe Air Fryer is coming to the rescue.
Serve these simple garlic butter lobster tails with garlic butter spinach or leek and potatoes au gratin for a show stopping dinner. Or pair with homemade cheese biscuits and air fryer crispy crab cakes for a seafood feast.
Making lobster tails in the air fryer is easy, so let's get started!
What do You Need to Cook Lobster Tails in the Air Fryer?
- fresh or frozen lobster tails (around 6 oz. a piece)
- butter
- garlic powder
- salt
- lemon wedges (to serve, optional)
How to Cook Lobster Tails in the Air Fryer
Begin by butterflying your lobster tails. You can easily butterfly lobster tails by using a pair of sharp scissors to cut through the top of the shell (stop about an inch from the end), and then pull the meat through the cut to sit on top of the shell.
I like to use my finger to get under the meat and shimmy it away from the shell carefully and gently.
In a small bowl, microwave butter for 30 seconds, or until melted. Stir in garlic powder.
Once the meat is resting on top of the shells, brush or pour garlic butter mixture over top.
Place in the air fryer basket and set air fryer to 390 degrees and 8 minutes of cook time.
Begin checking the lobster tails at 6 minutes, you want an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. The cook time will vary slightly by the size of your lobster tails, but 8 minutes is a good marker for an average 6-7 oz. lobster tail.
Serve with additional melted butter or this seafood boil sauce recipe and lemon wedges if desired.
How Do you Know When Lobster Tails are Done?
Lobster meat is done when it is white and opaque rather than the slightly see through look of raw meat. The internal temperature should reach 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it Ok That My Raw Lobster Meat is Pink?
Yes, pink raw lobster meat is ok to eat. This is not an indication that the lobster meat has gone bad, but rather it is indicating that the lobster was about the produce eggs or recently had.
Storage
You can certainly keep cooked lobster tails in the fridge for a day or two, but they take so little time to cook up in the air fryer, that it is better just to make what you need and enjoy them fresh!
More Air Fryer Recipes
Easy Lobster Tails in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 6 oz. lobster tails
- 2 tbsp. butter plus more for serving
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Begin by butterflying your lobster tails. You can easily butterfly lobster tails by using a pair of sharp scissors to cut through the top of the shell (stop about an inch from the end), and then pull the meat through the cut to sit on top of the shell. I like to use my finger to get under the meat and shimmy it away from the shell carefully and gently.
- In a small bowl, microwave butter for 30 seconds, or until melted. Stir in garlic powder.
- Once the meat is resting on top of the shells, brush or pour garlic butter mixture over top.
- Place in the air fryer basket and set air fryer to 390 degrees and 8 minutes of cook time.
- Begin checking the lobster tails at 6 minutes, you want an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees Fahrenheit. The cook time will vary slightly by the size of your lobster tails, but 8 minutes is a good marker for an average 6-7 oz. lobster tail.
- Serve with additional melted butter and lemon wedges if desired.
Kim
The air fryer lobster was delicious!! I couldn’t have done it without the excellent directions. It was for a special birthday dinner for my husband and he said it was perfect!
Sarah
Miss Kim,
I am so glad you both enjoyed! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, it means so much to me!
Also, Happy Birthday to him!
xSarah