Air-Fryer Lobster: Can You Do It?

Yes, you can cook lobster in an air fryer! It's an easy and quick way to cook lobster tails, and they come out tender and juicy. You'll need to butterfly the lobster tails, rub them with butter, and cook them in the air fryer for around 5-10 minutes, depending on their size.

How to butterfly a lobster tail

Lobster tails cooked in the air fryer are incredibly tender and delicious. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to butterfly a lobster tail:

Step 1:

Hold the lobster tail in one hand with the top of its hard shell facing upwards. Using sturdy kitchen shears, cut through the top of the shell and the meat, ensuring you stop before reaching the bottom shell. Do not cut through the wide end of the tail.

Step 2:

Gently pry open the shell and separate the meat from it, leaving the base of the meat attached to the tail. Squeeze the shell halves back together, creating a bed for the meat to rest on.

Step 3:

Place the lobster meat on top of the shell. To ensure even cooking, you can make a few gentle slices in the meat, allowing it to spread out over the shell.

Step 4:

At this point, you can season the lobster tail as desired. You can simply use salt and pepper, or try a marinade of butter, garlic, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

Step 5:

Place the lobster tail in the air fryer basket, meat-side up, and cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes for smaller tails or 6-8 minutes for larger tails. The lobster is done when the meat is opaque and lightly browned.

Butterflying a lobster tail is a simple process that makes for an impressive presentation. It is a great way to prepare lobster tails for a special meal, and it can be easily done at home with just a few tools and ingredients.

How to cook lobster in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Lobster tails (4-12 oz)
• Salt and pepper
• Butter unsalted
• Garlic cloves
• Paprika
• Parsley
• Lemon (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
• Using kitchen shears, butterfly the lobster tails by cutting down the centre of the shell and meat. Be careful not to cut through the bottom of the shell.
• Pull the shell away from the meat and place the meat on top of the shell.
• Season the lobster meat with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, garlic, paprika, and parsley. You can also add thyme and rosemary for extra flavour.
• Spread the butter mixture evenly on each lobster tail.
• Place the lobster tails in the air fryer basket, meat-side up.
• Cook at 380 degrees F for 5-7 minutes, or until the meat is opaque and lightly browned.
• Serve with melted butter and lemon wedges, if desired.

Tips:

• Always buy cold water lobster tails as they have a sweeter taste.
• Avoid lobster tails that have been soaked in sodium tripolyphosphate, as they can taste like ammonia.
• Lobster tails between 5-12 oz are ideal, as they have a good amount of meat without losing the delicious flavour.
• It's best to enjoy lobster tails fresh, as reheating can make the meat tough.

Lobster tail cooking times

For example, a 4- or 5-ounce lobster tail will take between 4 and 7 minutes to cook, whereas an 8-ounce lobster tail will take between 6 and 8 minutes. A 10-ounce lobster tail will take around 10 minutes.

As a general rule of thumb, air fry lobster tails for about 1 minute per ounce. For the best results, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the lobster tail has reached 140-145°F.

How to prepare your lobster

Firstly, you'll want to start with the freshest, cold-water, hard-shelled Maine lobster tails. Allow your lobster tails to defrost in the refrigerator overnight. For the best flavour and texture, you want your lobster fully defrosted before placing it into your air fryer.

Next, you'll want to butterfly your lobster tails. Using kitchen shears, carefully cut down the middle of the top shell, stopping just before you reach the tail. Use your fingers to loosen the shell away from the meat. Carefully pull the meat up and allow it to rest on top of the shell. This will expose all of the meat to the heat for even cooking while the shell keeps it stable.

Now you're ready to season your lobster tails. In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, old bay seasoning, and lemon juice. Brush or spoon the butter mixture onto the lobster meat.

Finally, place your lobster tails into the basket of the air fryer, meat-side up. Cook for approximately 4 minutes for 4-5 oz. tails, or 6-8 minutes for larger 8 oz. tails, until the lobster is cooked through and opaque.

How to reheat lobster tail in an air fryer

While some sources advise against reheating lobster tails, it is possible to do so in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wrap each lobster tail in foil with a pat of butter.
• Place the wrapped lobster tails in the air fryer and reheat until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook the lobster, as this will make it rubbery.

Note: Lobster is best enjoyed fresh, so if you do choose to reheat it, be aware that the texture and taste may not be as good as when it was first cooked.

Frequently asked questions