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Air Fryer Lobster Tails with Lemon-Garlic Butter

This recipe delivers tender, air-fried lobster tails in under 20 minutes. Butterflied and basted with a vibrant lemon-garlic butter, these tails are seasoned to perfection, offering an elegant and quick seafood dish for two, ideal for a light lunch or dinner.
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Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 594.1
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 4 ounce lobster tails
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 wedges lemon

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Small Saucepan For melting butter
  • 1 Basting Brush
  • 1 Kitchen Shears or Sharp Knife For butterflying lobster
  • 1 Small bowl For mixing butter mixture

Method
 

  1. Prepare lobster tails by cutting down the center of the top shell with kitchen shears, stopping at the tail fin. Gently pull the meat up through the opening, resting it on top of the shell.
  2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Once melted, remove from heat.
  3. Stir in the lemon zest, grated garlic, salt, and ground black pepper into the melted butter mixture.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Lightly brush the exposed lobster meat with about half of the lemon-garlic butter mixture.
  6. Place the butterflied lobster tails in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
  7. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, or until the lobster meat is opaque and cooked through. Cooking time may vary slightly based on the size of the tails.
  8. While the lobster cooks, re-warm the remaining lemon-garlic butter if it has solidified.
  9. Carefully remove the cooked lobster tails from the air fryer.
  10. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with the remaining lemon-garlic butter for dipping and fresh lemon wedges.

Notes

For succulent lobster, proper butterflying is key; it ensures even cooking and allows the lemon-garlic butter to penetrate beautifully. Avoid overcooking at all costs, as lobster turns rubbery quickly. Aim for opaque white meat. Consider clarifying the butter for a purer, richer flavor profile. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness. Freshly grated garlic is paramount here for its aromatic punch.