Best Air Fryer Lobster Tail Recipe
This air fryer lobster tail recipe is incredibly simple, easy to perfect, and after some testing of different methods, turned out to be my favorite way to cook lobster tails! They turn out tender, not rubbery, and cook in less than 10 minutes. I’ll show you exactly how to cook lobster tail in the air fryer, just don’t be surprised if it turns out to be your favorite, too! Serve with a simple side like lemon risotto and haricot verts, add a steak for surf and turf, or use cooked lobster for lobster risotto or lobster grilled cheese.
If you love special dinners at home, be sure to try my baked halibut, cacio e pepe, shrimp linguine, or scallop linguine next time.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer Lobster Tail
- Easy to make
- Perfectly cooked lobster tails
- 2 minute prep time
- Just 4-8 minutes cook time
- Made with just 4 basic ingredients
- Enjoy it as-is or use in a recipe
Ingredients
- Lobster tails – Look for high quality cold water lobster tails. Fresh or frozen are fine, just make sure to thaw them before you cook them.
- Butter – Just a tablespoon of butter gives the lemon butter lobster tail classic, luscious flavor. You could also use this chimichurri herb butter for an extra boost of flavor.
- Old Bay Seasoning – We’re using just a bit for subtle flavor.
- Lemon – Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
How to Cook Lobster Tail in Air Fryer
This is an overview of how to cook lobster tail in the air fryer; the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
FAQs
How to thaw lobster tails
Defrost lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator or submerged in cold water until thawed.
What temperature should you cook lobster tails in the air fryer?
These air fry lobster tails are cooked at 380 degrees F.
How long to cook lobster tail in air fryer?
Lobster tails in air fryer cooking time will vary depending on the size of the lobster tail. Tails that are 4 or 5-ounces will take about 4-6 minutes; 8-ounce tails will take about 6-8 minutes.
Can you cook frozen lobster tail in air fryer?
Lobster tails should be thawed before cooking so the protein doesn’t turn tough. Some proteins cook just fine from frozen, but it’s not worth risking lobster!
How do you know when lobster tail is cooked?
The air fryer lobster should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. The lobster meat will be opaque throughout.
Why is my lobster rubbery?
Lobster gets rubbery when it’s overcooked. So be careful to not OVER cook it. Start checking at the lower end of the cooking time.
Storage Instructions
Lobster is best fresh, so I would recommend only making the number of lobster tails that you’ll need. If you do have leftovers, store lobster meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
How to reheat
Reheat lobster in a hot pan or the air fryer, just until warmed through so it doesn’t get rubbery.
Can you freeze cooked lobster?
Yes, you can freeze lobster. Let it cool completely, before storing it in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Reheat in a 350 degrees F oven until heated through, about 10 minutes.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Lobster Tails
These lobster tails in the air fryer just need a simple side, let’s let the lobster shine!
More Easy Seafood Recipes
If you love this air fryer lobster tail recipe, you might also like some of these other easy seafood recipes:
Print
Best Air Fryer Lobster Tail Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Learn how to cook lobster tail in air fryer! This easy method results in perfectly cooked and seasoned air fried lobster tails every time.
Ingredients
- 2 4.5–oz. lobster tails
- 1 Tbsp. melted butter
- 1/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Rinse lobster tails and pat dry with paper towel. Clean them if necessary.
- Cut through the top of the shell, keeping bottom shell in tact.
- Gently pull the shell away from the meat (it’s ok if they break a bit) and lightly pull lobster meat away from the shell. Place shell back together and set lobster meat on top of shell.
- In a small bowl, stir together melted butter, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Brush lobster with butter mixture and air fry lobster tails at 380 degrees F for 5-7 minutes for 4-5 oz. tails, or 6-8 minutes for larger 8 oz. tails, until lobster is cooked through and opaque.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- Cook lobster to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Leftovers? Try lobster grilled cheese or lobster risotto.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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I was also a bit skeptical about putting lobster in the air fryer, but not any more! This was delicious and the lobster was tender.
LOL, I totally hear you. My husband was SO worried!
Best lobster ever!
Yes!!!! So glad you enjoyed it!
I have cooked recently Lobster Tail in Air Fryer recipe in grass-fed ghee instead of butter and it was of great taste. Ghee is a safer oil for frying for its high smoke point. I always use grass-fed ghee.
https://milkio.co.nz/grass-fed-ghee/
What do you do with the butter, Old Bay, and lemon juice??
Gary, thanks for letting me know it was missing from recipe card, I’ll add it! It is brushed onto the lobster tails before air frying.