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These Air Fryer Lobster Tails are tender, buttery, and coated in seasoned garlic butter. They cook quickly in the air fryer for an easy, impressive seafood entrée.
I make these Ninja Air Fryer Lobster Tails in my Ninja Foodi, but you can use any air fryer. Serve them with Air Fryer Asparagus and Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto for a simple special-occasion meal with very little hands-on cooking.
Why Make Lobster Tails in the Air Fryer
- Tender, buttery lobster: The exposed lobster meat cooks with garlic butter for a juicy, flavorful result.
- Quick cooking method: Small lobster tails take just a few minutes in the air fryer.
- Easy special-occasion entrée: These feel restaurant-worthy without requiring a complicated cooking method.
Ingredients Needed
- Lobster Tails: I use completely thawed lobster tails that are about 3-4 ounces each. Larger tails will need additional cooking time.
- Garlic Butter: Brush my garlic butter over the lobster before cooking and serve extra on the side for dipping.
- Seasoning: I use my homemade Cajun seasoning, but you can use your favorite seafood seasoning. My homemade Old Bay seasoning is another great option. I use spice blends as an upgrade to salt and pepper, but those two work well too if you want to keep things simple.
- Fresh Parsley: Optional for garnish.
Be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact ingredient amounts.
How to Cook Lobster Tails in an Air Fryer
Butterfly the lobster tails
Cut through the top of each shell with sharp kitchen shears. Gently loosen and lift the lobster meat so it rests on top of the shell.
Add the seasoned garlic butter
Melt the garlic butter and stir in your seasoning of choice. Brush the mixture generously over the exposed lobster meat.
Air fry until tender
Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket with the meat facing up. Air fry at 390°F until the lobster is opaque and cooked through. My 3-4 ounce tails take about 4-5 minutes.
How Long to Cook Lobster Tail in the Air Fryer
The exact air fryer lobster tail cooking time depends mostly on the size of the tails.
My 3-4 ounce lobster tails typically take about 4-5 minutes at 390°F. I start checking them around the 4-minute mark.
Larger lobster tails will need an extra minute or two. One advantage of using the air fryer is that you can easily open the basket to check for doneness, then continue cooking if needed.
How to Tell When Lobster Tail Is Done
Lobster cooks quickly, so checking it early makes a difference. Look for lobster meat that:
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- has changed from translucent to opaque
- looks white throughout instead of clear in the center
- is tender rather than firm or rubbery
Remove the lobster tails once they’re cooked through. Leaving them in the air fryer longer than necessary can make the meat tough.
Top Cooking Tips
- Thaw frozen lobster tails first: Frozen lobster tails work well for this recipe, but thaw them completely before butterflying and cooking.
- Keep the meat on top of the shell: The shell acts like a small cooking tray while keeping the lobster exposed to the circulating hot air.
- Adjust the cooking time for size: Start checking smaller lobster tails around the 4-minute mark. Larger tails will need an extra minute or two, and you can easily open the air fryer to check them and continue cooking as needed.
- Add lemon if you like: Serve with fresh lemon wedges or finish the lobster with a little lemon zest.
Seasoning Variations
Seasoned garlic butter makes it easy to change the flavor of these lobster tails.
- For a little heat and bold flavor, use my homemade Cajun seasoning.
- For a more classic seafood flavor, use my homemade Old Bay seasoning.
- You can also replace the regular garlic butter with Cajun Garlic Butter for a mildy-spicier option.
- Or, add a brighter buttery finish with my Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce.
Can You Cook Frozen Lobster Tails in the Air Fryer?
You can use lobster tails that were purchased frozen, but I recommend thawing them completely before air frying. Thawed tails are easier to butterfly and season, and they cook more evenly.
Can You Make Lobster Tails in a Ninja Foodi Air Fryer?
Yes. I use my Ninja Foodi for this recipe, so the same instructions work for Ninja Air Fryer Lobster Tails. Since different air fryer models can cook slightly differently, start checking the lobster around the 4-minute mark and continue cooking as needed.
Are Lobster Tails Good in the Air Fryer?
Yes. The air fryer works especially well for small lobster tails because the circulating heat cooks the exposed meat quickly while the garlic butter adds flavor and richness. The key is checking them early so the lobster stays tender instead of becoming tough or rubbery.
How Long Do You Cook 4-Ounce Lobster Tails?
A 4-ounce lobster tail takes about 4-5 minutes at 390°F in my air fryer. Start checking around 4 minutes, then continue cooking if the lobster meat is still translucent in the center.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Store leftover lobster tails in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because lobster can become rubbery when reheated, I usually cook only as many tails as I expect to eat that day.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Lobster Tails
Keep the rest of the meal simple with:
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto
- Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
- Lemon Orzo Pasta
For a special-occasion meal, serve the lobster with my Pan-Seared Steak for an easy surf-and-turf dinner.
More Air Fryer Seafood Recipes
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Air Fryer Lobster Tails
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Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz lobster tails, two lobster tails, 4 oz each, thawed
- 1 tbsp Garlic Butter, Plus more for pouring on the lobster tails at the end
- 1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning, click for the recipe
Instructions
- Butterfly the lobster tails with meat or kitchen shears.
- Melt the garlic butter and mix in the cajun seasoning.
- Brush the butter mixture on the lobster meat.
- Add the lobster tails to the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390 degrees for about 4-5 minutes. You can add an additional minute or two for larger tails if they are not opaque.
- Optional: Brush with additional garlic butter before serving.
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Recipe Notes
- Thaw first: Fully thaw frozen lobster tails before butterflying and air frying.
- Cooking time: 3-4 oz lobster tails take about 4-5 minutes at 390°F. Larger tails will need an extra minute or two.
- Check for doneness: The lobster meat should be opaque and white throughout.
- Seasoning: Use Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, or your favorite seafood seasoning to taste.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition Details
The nutrition facts come from entering the recipe ingredients into a database of food ingredients. They may vary for any recipe based on the exact product used.
Pat says
There is no such thing as left over lobster tails.
This is a great recipe that works very well, thank you!
Davinah Cenou Montezuma says
Ha! I agree – so glad that you enjoyed this one.