How Long To Cook Lobster Tails In An Air Fryer For Perfect Results

Lobster tails are a delicious and luxurious seafood treat that many home cooks are wary of preparing at home. The idea of perfectly cooking lobster tails can seem intimidating. However, using an air fryer makes cooking lobster tails fast, foolproof, and easy for even beginner cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results right at home.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to cook lobster tails to tender, juicy perfection in your air fryer. We will go over proper air fryer settings, how long to cook lobster tails based on their size, tips to prevent overcooking, how to check for doneness, and more. Read on for a complete lobster tail air fryer cooking guide!

How An Air Fryer Works For Cooking Seafood

An air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that uses super heated air to quickly cook foods. The high heat of an air fryer mimics deep frying, allowing you to achieve a crispy browned exterior and tender interior on foods with little to no oil.

Cooking seafood like lobster tails in an air fryer has several benefits

• Very fast cook time – Lobster can be done in just 5-8 minutes! Much faster than oven baking

• Even cooking – The circulating hot air cooks food evenly all over.

• Tender and moist interior – Air frying locks in moisture so lobster meat stays succulent.

• Easy cleanup – Minimal splattering means easy basket cleanup after air frying.

• Small batches – Most air fryer baskets accommodate 2-4 lobster tails. Great for small servings.

• Versatility – An air fryer allows you to cook lobster tails from frozen and makes easy work of reheating leftover lobster.

How Long To Cook Lobster Tails In An Air Fryer

Cooking times will vary based on the size of your lobster tails. Here are general air fryer cooking times for different sizes of lobster tail:

• 4-5 oz lobster tails – Cook for 5 minutes at 400°F

• 6-8 oz lobster tails – Cook for 6-7 minutes at 400°F

• 10-12 oz lobster tails – Cook for 8-10 minutes at 400°F

A good rule of thumb is to cook lobster tails for about 1 minute per ounce. For example, two 8 oz lobster tails would cook for about 8 minutes.

Be sure to check internal temperature and visually inspect for doneness, as air fryer cook times can vary. Continue cooking in 1 minute increments if needed until lobster reaches desired doneness.

Tips For Cooking Lobster Tails In An Air Fryer

Follow these tips for flawlessly cooked air fryer lobster tail every time:

• Thaw frozen lobster tails completely before air frying – Frozen tails will cook unevenly. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

• Butterfly the shells by cutting along the back of the shell. This allows heat to reach the meat directly for even cooking.

• Brush with butter – Coating the lobster meat with melted butter or oil ensures it doesn’t dry out.

• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check temperature instead of relying on cook time alone.

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – Leave space between tails for air circulation.

• Pat tails dry before cooking for optimal browning and texture.

• Clean out the air fryer basket between batches for best results if cooking multiple tails.

Checking Air Fryer Lobster Tails For Doneness

Lobster is best eaten slightly undercooked to medium for tender, juicy meat. Take lobster tails out of the air fryer before they look completely opaque to prevent overcooking.

Here are some ways to check if lobster is done air frying:

• Use an instant read meat thermometer – Insert into the thickest part of the lobster meat without touching the shell. Properly cooked lobster will be 140°F.

• Look for opacity – The lobster meat should be mostly opaque white but still have a hint of translucent flesh in the center when done.

• Test for firmness – When gently pressed, the lobster meat should feel firm yet still have some bounce back when cooked through.

• Check for color change – The exterior of the lobster tail will turn bright red-orange when finished cooking.

If in doubt, remove lobster tails from the air fryer a minute early. You can always cook longer if needed. It’s much harder to revive overcooked lobster!

Common Air Fryer Lobster Tail Mistakes To Avoid

Here are some of the most common mistakes when making air fryer lobster tails and how to prevent them:

• Overcooking – This causes rubbery, tough texture. Check temperature and doneness often.

• Not thawing frozen tails – Always thaw frozen lobster overnight in the fridge before air frying.

• Not butterflying shells – Fail to cut shells and the inside won’t cook through.

• Overcrowding – Too many tails prevents air circulation and even cooking.

• Not coating with butter – Lobster can dry out without oil or butter brushed on top.

• Cooking multiple batches – Clean out the air fryer basket between batches for best results.

• Not patting dry – Excess moisture on the outside leads to steaming instead of browning.

Serving Your Air Fryer Lobster Tails

Once your lobster tails are cooked to tender perfection in the air fryer, you can serve them whole for a dramatic presentation or add to dishes:

• Serve with melted butter for dipping or lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.

• Slice lobster tail meat and add to salads, pasta, tacos, or stir fry recipes.

• Stuff lobster meat back into the shells and top with breadcrumbs or cheese then broil until golden brown.

• Chop lobster meat and combine with mayo, lemon, and herbs for an easy lobster salad.

• Add cooked lobster pieces to bisques, chowders, or seafood casseroles.

Enjoy your lobster as is or get creative with ways to use the tender lobster meat in other recipes after air frying.

FAQs About Cooking Lobster Tails In An Air Fryer

Can you cook frozen lobster tails in an air fryer?

Do not try to cook frozen lobster tails directly in the air fryer. Always thaw frozen lobster tails completely first before attempting to air fry them.

Should lobster tails be thawed before air frying?

Yes, frozen lobster tails must be thawed before cooking in an air fryer. Thawing ensures the lobster will cook evenly all the way through.

Can I reheat already cooked lobster tails in an air fryer?

It is safe to reheat cooked lobster tails in an air fryer. Place on a foil-lined air fryer basket and reheat at 300°F for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

What temperature should I cook lobster tails at in an air fryer?

The optimal air fryer temperature for cooking lobster tails is 400°F. This high heat evenly cooks the lobster meat while crisping the shell.

How can I tell when my lobster tails are done in the air fryer?

Check for an internal temperature of 140°F. Meat should look mostly opaque white and feel firm yet slightly translucent in the center when done.

The Takeaway On Air Frying Lobster Tails

Cooking lobster tail in an air fryer yields incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful results in way less time than other cooking methods. Follow the guidelines above for easy air fryer success.

Be sure to fully thaw frozen lobster tails, properly prep tails for air frying, set the air fryer to 400°F, and use a thermometer to prevent overcooking.

Master cooking lobster tails in your air fryer and you’ll be enjoying restaurant-quality seafood entrées at home in minutes. Air fried lobster turns out perfectly time after time.