Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
These air fryer lobster tails are tender and juicy and are topped with a delicious garlic butter sauce. In fact, they're so delicious, you won't believe they are air-fried! With the help of this simple recipe, you can prepare a fancy dinner for your family in minutes. And since you only need a handful of ingredients, it's the perfect main course when you're craving a seafood dinner.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.
What Do I Need to Make Air Fryer Lobster Tails?
The key to preparing a delicious seafood recipe is to let the lobster shine without bogging it down with too many extra ingredients. That means this easy air fryer recipe can be made with just a few simple supplies! To make your own air fryer lobster, all you need are these items from the grocery store:
- Small lobster tails
- Unsalted butter
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
- Lemon
- Fine salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
How Do I Make Air Fryer Lobster Tails?
Using your air fryer to make lobster tails is one of the easiest preparation methods! And you won't believe how tender and juicy each bite is. But the best part about this quick recipe is that you can prepare it in just three easy steps.
Step One: Butterfly the Lobster Tails
To get your fresh lobster tails ready for cooking, you'll first need to take a few minutes to prepare them. Start by cutting the top of each shell lengthwise down the center using kitchen shears, stopping at the tail fin. Then, gently spread the shell open to expose the meat, making sure not to pull too hard and detach the meat from the shell. Then, tuck away any visible membrane into the sides of the shell for a neater presentation.
Step Two: Mix the Sauce
In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Brush the butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat, making sure to coat each tail evenly.
Step Three: Air Fry the Lobster
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees for around five minutes, then place the lobster tails in the basket with the shell side down. Make sure to leave plenty of space between each tail. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the meat is opaque and the shells are bright red.
How to Pick the Best Lobster Tails
You have to start with amazing ingredients to get the best flavor for your seafood dinner. But if you've never made lobster at home, you'll need to know how to pick the best tails while you're at the grocery store. Use these tips as you're shopping to ensure you find fresh ingredients for your recipe.
- Look for cold-water lobster. Cold-water lobster tails have a sweeter flavor than warm-water lobster, making them the best option for cooking. Typically, you can distinguish between warm and cold water lobster by looking at the tails. Warm-water lobster has black or yellow spots on the shell, while cold-water lobsters do not.
- Check the ingredients. If you're purchasing frozen lobster tails to cook in the air fryer, checking the ingredient list's always a good idea. Avoid any lobsters soaked in the preservative sodium tripoyphosphate, which could give the seafood an ammonia flavor.
- Pay attention to size. Since you're preparing your lobster in the air fryer, you'll first need to make sure the tails will fit in the basket of your air fryer. After that, look for tails that are medium in size, which will allow you to enjoy plenty of meat without sacrificing flavor.
Can You Cook Frozen Lobster in the Air Fryer?
Finding fresh seafood isn't always an option - especially if you live nowhere near the ocean. But I have good news! You can cook frozen lobster in the air fryer - as long as you thaw it first. Transfer the frozen lobster to the refrigerator to thaw overnight before cooking for best results.
How Do I Know When Lobster is Done Cooking?
Overcooking your lobster will make it tough and stringy. However, undercooking seafood will make it unsafe to eat. That's why it's important to ensure the lobster tails are completely cooked before eating them.
The best way to be sure that your lobster is finished cooking is to check the internal temperature. It should reach 145 degrees to be safe to eat. You can also tell the lobster is done cooking when the shell is red and the meat is white.
How Do You Store Leftover Lobster?
Unfortunately, once the lobster is cooked, it should be eaten right away. The longer the meat sits, the tougher it will become. That's why it's best only to cook as much as you plan to eat. If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just keep in mind that the texture will change once the lobster is reheated.
Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter
Ingredients
- 4 small lobster tails
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoons dried parsley
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Using kitchen shears, carefully cut the top of each lobster tail shell lengthwise down the center, stopping at the tail fin. Gently spread the shell open to expose the meat without detaching it from the shell. If needed, use a spoon to help gently lift the meat away from the shell.
- Tuck away any visible membrane to the sides for a neater presentation.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix well.
- Brush the seasoned butter mixture over the exposed lobster meat, ensuring it is evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, shell side down, ensuring they are not overlapping.
- Cook the lobster tails in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and cooked through, and the shells are bright red.
- Once cooked, remove the lobster tails from the air fryer and serve immediately with additional melted butter for dipping, if desired.
- Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the lobster tails and the model of your air fryer. Adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure the lobster is cooked to your desired doneness.
Notes
- Use frozen lobster tails? Yes, defrost in the fridge for 8-10 hours.
- How to tell when cooked? Look for opaque, white meat and bright red shells. Check with a meat thermometer - 140°F (60°C).
- Sub fresh herbs for dried parsley? Absolutely! Finely chop fresh parsley leaves as a tasty substitute.
- Pair air fryer lobster tails with steamed veggies, roasted potatoes, or a crisp salad. Add melted butter or lemon wedges for dipping.
- Avoid tough lobster tails by not overcooking. Remove from air fryer promptly when fully cooked to prevent dryness.
- Leftover lobster tails can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven, though note that reheating may result in slightly tougher meat.
2 Comments