Air Fryer Lobster Tails
These Air Fryer Lobster Tails are tender, juicy, and brushed with a rich garlic butter sauce. They cook in just minutes, making them an elegant yet easy meal for date nights, holidays, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 lobster tails (5–6 oz / 140–170 g each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For Serving
- Lemon wedges
- Extra melted garlic butter
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top shell of each lobster tail, stopping before the tail fin.
- Gently loosen the meat from the shell, lifting it to rest on top while keeping it attached at the base.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, Old Bay seasoning (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Brush the lobster meat generously with the garlic butter mixture.
- Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 6–8 minutes, depending on the size of the tails, until the meat is opaque and reaches an internal temperature of 140–145°F (60–63°C).
- Brush with the remaining garlic butter immediately after cooking.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges and extra garlic butter.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
- Total Time: 16–18 minutes
Servings: 4
Tips
- Pat the lobster tails dry before seasoning to help the butter adhere.
- Avoid overcooking, as lobster can become tough and rubbery.
- For larger lobster tails (8–10 oz), add 2–4 extra minutes of cooking time and check the internal temperature.
- Pair with air fryer asparagus, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, or a fresh green salad.
- Garnish with extra parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon just before serving for the best flavor.