Air-Fried Lobster: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Lobster is a dish often reserved for special occasions, but cooking it can be a tricky and time-consuming affair. Enter the air fryer—a modern convenience that can cook lobster tails in just 5 to 10 minutes, resulting in tender, juicy, and buttery perfection.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

Butterflying a lobster tail is a great way to prepare it for cooking in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Cut the Shell

Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut down the centre of the shell lengthwise. Start from the end opposite to the tail fins and cut until you reach the tail, but be careful not to cut through the bottom shell. This will allow you to open up the shell like a book.

Step 2: Spread the Shell Open

Use your thumbs and fingers to spread open the shell on top. You may need to separate the shell from the meat with your fingers, as sometimes it can stick.

Step 3: Add Skewers (Optional)

To prevent the lobster tail from curling during cooking, you can run a bamboo skewer through the centre of the butterflied lobster flesh, lengthwise. If you don't have skewers, you can skip this step and just arrange the lobster meat on top of the shell.

Step 4: Season the Lobster

At this point, you can season the lobster meat with salt and pepper, or any other desired seasonings. You can also brush the lobster with a butter mixture before cooking to add extra flavour.

Now your lobster tail is butterflied and ready to be cooked in your air fryer! Just remember to preheat your air fryer and cook the lobster until the meat is opaque and cooked through. Enjoy your delicious and elegant meal!

How to cook lobster in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Lobster tails (preferably cold water lobster tails)
• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic cloves
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• Old Bay Seasoning

Method

• Defrost your lobster tails overnight in the refrigerator or submerged in cold water.
• Preheat your air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Butterfly the lobster tails by cutting down the middle of the top shell with kitchen shears. Be careful not to cut through the bottom shell.
• Loosen the shell away from the meat and pull the lobster meat upward, allowing it to rest on top of the shell.
• Season the lobster tails with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix melted butter with your choice of garlic, paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, and/or Old Bay Seasoning. Brush or spoon this mixture onto the lobster meat.
• Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, meat-side up. If desired, line the basket with foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup.
• Cook for 5-7 minutes for 4-5 ounce tails, or 6-8 minutes for larger 8-ounce tails. The lobster is done when the meat is opaque and the internal temperature reaches 135-145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips:

• Avoid overcooking the lobster, as this will make it rubbery.
• For easier cleanup, line the air fryer basket with foil or parchment paper.
• You can also cook frozen lobster tails in the air fryer, but they may cook unevenly and turn out tough. It's best to thaw them first.

How to thaw lobster tails

Lobster tails can be thawed using two methods:

Thawing Lobster Tails Overnight in the Refrigerator

Place the frozen lobster tails in the refrigerator and let them thaw slowly overnight. This method ensures the lobster tails thaw safely and gradually without compromising their texture and taste.

Thawing Lobster Tails by Submerging in Cold Water

Place the frozen lobster tails in a sealed bag and submerge them in cold water. This method is faster than the previous one, taking around 30 minutes.

Note: It is important to thaw lobster tails before cooking them in an air fryer to ensure even cooking and to prevent the lobster meat from turning tough.

Lobster cooking times

For 4 or 5-ounce tails, you should air fry for 4-6 minutes. For 8-ounce tails, you should air fry for 6-8 minutes.

If you are cooking 4 lobsters at the same time, the cooking time will be 10 minutes.

Lobster gets rubbery when it’s overcooked, so be careful not to OVER cook it. Start checking at the lower end of the cooking time.

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 lemon-garlic butter and parsley, but there are many other side dishes that can be served with them. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables

Asparagus, zucchini, green beans almondine, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts are all great options to serve alongside air-fried lobster tails. You can saute these on the stovetop or cook them in the air fryer as well.

Potatoes

Roasted potatoes or baked sweet potatoes make for a filling side dish, while rutabaga or cauliflower mash is a lighter option that still pairs well with the lobster.

Salad

Lobster pairs well with light and fresh salads, such as spring mix, pear, or Caprese salad.

Seafood

If you're looking for a surf and turf option, consider adding a steak to your meal. Alternatively, you can use the cooked lobster for lobster risotto or lobster grilled cheese.

Other options

Some other sides that can be served with air-fried lobster tails include lemon risotto, haricot verts, biscuits, and clam chowder.

Frequently asked questions