• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Biscuits & Burlap logo

  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Main Dishes » Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon and Butter

    Published: Sep 14, 2021 · Modified: Jan 5, 2023 by Pam

    Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon and Butter

    Thanks for sharing!

    463 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe

    With this recipe for air fryer lobster tails you’ll have succulent, buttery lobster tails on your table in minutes! Just a few ingredients are needed for this special occasion or quick weeknight meal.

    two air fryer lobster tails with lemon

    If you don’t have an air fryer yet you really need to get on board. Every week we’re discovering new foods that can be cooked in them with delicious results!

    Lobster tails are the most recent success story, but we’ve cooked air fryer okra, air fryer asparagus parmesan, air fryer catfish filets, southern style air fryer breaded shrimp and air fryer home fries. They’re all easy, fast, healthy and scrumptious!

    Air fryers we’ve used

    This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on an affiliate link and buy something, we may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Mine is a larger model that also functions as a toaster and convection oven and it’s made by Cuisinart. It does take up a good bit of counter space, but I have a counter in my pantry where I keep it.

    Sara has a small, inexpensive version that she can put in a cabinet when not using it. This page has several 4-star or better rated air fryers similar to hers.

    Sister-in-law Susan has this one by NuWave. It has a temperature probe and rotisserie function and she loves it. I think both of those would be good features to have.

    How to prepare lobster tails

    • Start with fresh lobster tails or frozen ones that have been thawed. Rinse and then pat dry.
    • If you don’t know how to butterfly lobster tails we can help you. Using a good pair of kitchen shears cut down the top of the shell all the way to the base of the tail (photo below).
    • Pull the shell open to expose the lobster meat and lift it partly or all the way out of the shell.
    • Inspect for any small pieces of brittle shell that came loose during the cutting process and remove those.
    • Brush with melted butter mixed with fresh lemon juice. I even like to lift the lobster meat and brush the underside.
    • Sprinkle lightly with your seasoning of choice.

    That’s it! Your lobster tails are ready to go in the air fryer basket.

    Hey, did y’all know that we also have a fun recipe for Lobster Flatbread? You cut the tails open in similar fashion but then remove the meat to go on a savory, tasty flatbread. It’s ready in just minutes too!

    butterfly lobster tails

    Lobster tail size and cooking times in the air fryer

    You may be wondering what size is best for making air fryer lobster tails. The truth is that any size lobster tail will be amazing!

    The cooking time wil vary naturally because smaller lobster tails will be done in less time. We can give you guidelines, but checking for doneness is really the key.

    What you are looking for is when the lobster meat goes from transulcent like you see in the above photo to opaque like you see in the photo below.

    I like to keep my melted butter and lemon sauce handy and every time I open the air fryer I give the tails a quick brush.

    The temperature setting of 370 degrees seems to be just perfect, no matter what size the lobster tails are.

    two air fryer lobster tails on plate

    How to season the lobster tails

    We definitely want freshly squeezed lemon juice to be included. Additionally, you’ll want to serve a lemon wedge with each tail. Many people like garlic included in the butter, too

    This link will take you to one of our all time favorite kitchen tools – a citrus juicer. We’ve bragged on it often because we love it so much. It’s super handy for getting fresh citrus juice quickly.

    Additional seasoning could be very simply just salt, but we do like to sometimes add a Cajun twist with Cajun/Creole seasoning like Tony Chachere’s.

    A light sprinkle of paprika gives a nice little rosy glow to your air fryer lobster tails.

    two air fryer lobster tails on plate

    Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon and Butter

    Pam
    Air fryer lobster tails means you'll have succulent, buttery lobster tails on your table in minutes! Everything you need to know is here.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Main Course
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 206 kcal

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients
      

    • 2-4 lobster tails depending on size, totalling about 1 pound
    • 3 Tablespoons butter
    • 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice about ¼ lemon, juiced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning optional
    • 1 clove garlic diced, optional
    • ½ teaspoon paprika

    Instructions
     

    • Wash lobster tails and pat dry.
    • Butterfly lobster tail by cutting down the middle of the top of the shell all the way to base, using kitchen shears.
    • Open the cut shell and pull the lobster meat out, either partially or all the way to sit on top of the shell. Check for small bits of shell and remove any found.
    • Melt butter and stir in lemon juice, salt, additional seasoning and garlic, if desired.
    • Brush lobster tails with butter mixture.
    • Sprinkle with paprika.
    • Cook in 370 degree air fryer for 3-5 minutes, depending on size of lobster tails.
    • Check for doneness (opaque lobster meat) and brush with butter mixture again.
    • Continue cooking in 2-4 minute intervals, checking for doneness each time.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 11gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 985mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1190IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword air fryer
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More seafood recipes you’ll love!

    fried shrimp with lemons & cocktail sauce behind
    Southern Style Fried Shrimp
    bowl of shrimp etouffee with bowl of rice
    Easy Shrimp Etouffee
    shrimp & grits with wine and lemon behind
    Shrimp & Grits
    snow crab cakes on platter
    Crab Cakes with Remoulade
    overhead of grilled fish tacos in stand
    Grilled Fish Tacos
    vertical shot of grilled shrimp skewers
    Grilled Shrimp Skewers
    oysters on plate with lemon
    How to Host an Oyster Roast
    catfish on plate with wine bottle and glass
    Catfish with Lemon Thyme Sauce
    The original Fiery Cajun Shrimp is updated, but as wonderful as ever.
    Fiery Cajun Shrimp

    Categories: Christmas Recipes Tags: entree

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tavo says

      September 15, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      5 stars
      thank you. I found them really yummy! the first time I made lobster tails, and they came out amazing!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 15, 2021 at 6:14 pm

        Awww… thanks for letting us know Tavo!

        Reply
    2. Mahy says

      September 15, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      I am so glad I’ve found another great way to enjoy lobster – yum!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 16, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        We are too!

        Reply
    3. Aimee Mars says

      September 15, 2021 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      This is the 2nd amazing air fryer recipe I’ve seen today! You’ve convinced me to get one and I was holding out. I didn’t even know you could do lobster tails in the air fryer and they look amazing.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 16, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        You’ll love it, Aimee!

        Reply
    4. Sara Welch says

      September 15, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      Another great recipe for my air fryer! This was everything a gourmet meal should be, and then some! Quick, easy and delicious; my whole family loved it!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 16, 2021 at 12:09 pm

        So happy to hear that, Sara!

        Reply

    Tell us what you think! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hey, y'all!

    Pam and Sara sitting on blanket with picnic.
    Photo cred: Angie Webb Creative

    We’re Pam and Sara, a Southern mother/daughter team on a mission. We’re here to help you keep those precious food memories alive and create new ones, too. 

    Read more-

    Recent Posts

    • Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter
    • Crustless Breakfast Quiche
    • Southwestern Salad: Entree’ or Side
    • Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing

    Christmas Dishes

    • Key Lime Cookies
    • Brioche French Toast Casserole
    • Vegetable Au Gratin
    • Roasted Carrots and Green Beans

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Disclosures and Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us

    Copyright © 2021 Biscuits & Burlap

    463 shares