Air-Fried Lobster Tails: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Lobster tails in the air fryer? Yes, please! This method of cooking lobster tails is not only possible but also incredibly easy and delicious. In just a few minutes, you can have tender, juicy, and flavourful lobster tails that look and taste like a million bucks. The air fryer helps lock in moisture and flavour, making the lobster tails super moist and tender, with a buttery, garlicky taste.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

Butterflying a lobster tail is an easy process that makes your lobster look and taste gourmet. Essentially, you are cutting the tail in half through the hard shell, so that the meat can be spread into two even halves. This makes the edible portion of the lobster tail juicy and tender.

To butterfly a lobster tail, first, hold the lobster tail with the hard shell facing up. Using sturdy kitchen shears, cut through the top of the shell and the meat, stopping before you reach the bottom shell. Do not cut through the wide end of the tail.

Next, use your thumbs and fingers to gently spread the two halves of the tail apart, keeping the meat attached at the end. Finally, separate the meat from the back of the shell, keeping the base attached to the tail, and lift the meat over the shell. Squeeze the shell halves back together underneath the meat, so the meat now rests on top of the shell.

Now your lobster tail is butterflied and ready to be cooked!

How to cook lobster tails in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Lobster tails (preferably cold water lobster tails)
• Salt and pepper
• Butter (some recipes suggest salted butter, others unsalted)
• Garlic cloves
• Lemon juice
• Paprika
• Parsley

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees F.
• Butterfly the lobster tails. Cut down the centre of the shell lengthwise with kitchen shears, being careful not to cut through the bottom of the shell.
• Open the shell and gently pull the meat from the inside of the shell, placing it on top.
• Season the lobster with salt and pepper.
• Prepare a butter mixture by melting butter in a small saucepan and adding garlic, lemon juice, and any other desired seasonings.
• Brush the butter mixture onto the lobster meat.
• Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and lightly browned.
• Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips

• It is best to thaw frozen lobster tails before cooking.
• Avoid overcooking the lobster, as this will make it rubbery.
• For extra flavour, brush more of the butter mixture onto the lobster halfway through cooking.

How to reheat lobster tails in an air fryer

You can reheat lobster tails in an air fryer, but it is recommended that you only do so once as reheating lobster can cause it to become tough. To reheat your lobster tails, wrap each tail in foil with a pat of butter and heat in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) until warmed through.

How to tell when lobster tails are cooked

Lobster tails cooked in an air fryer are incredibly tender and delicious. But how do you know when they're cooked?

Firstly, it's important to note that the cooking time for lobster tails in an air fryer depends on their size. A good rule of thumb is to air fry lobster tails for about 1 minute per ounce. For example, 5-ounce tails will need 5-6 minutes, while 10-ounce tails will take about 10 minutes.

The best way to tell if your lobster tails are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The center of the lobster should reach an internal temperature of 140-145°F. This will ensure that the meat is cooked perfectly and is not overdone.

Another way to tell if lobster tails are cooked is to look at the color of the meat. The meat should be opaque and lightly browned when cooked through.

It's important to note that lobster tails should not be cooked from frozen. They need to be thawed first, either overnight in the fridge or in a bag submerged in cold water.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your lobster tails are cooked perfectly in the air fryer.

What to serve with air-fried lobster tails

Lobster tails cooked in an air fryer are incredibly tender and delicious. They are usually served with melted buttery garlic herb sauce, which is a quick and easy way to have a delectable fancy dinner without a lot of time and preparation.

• Grilled asparagus
• Biscuits
• Creamy clam chowder
• A good steak
• Salad
• Risotto
• Lobster mac and cheese
• Sauteed asparagus, zucchini, or green beans almondine
• Roasted potatoes or baked sweet potatoes
• Rutabaga or cauliflower mash
• Light salads, like spring mix salad, pear salad, or Caprese salad

You can also serve the lobster tails with some extra melted butter on the side for dipping.

Frequently asked questions