Air Fryer Frozen Lobster Tails
Description
Tender, buttery air fryer frozen lobster tails cooked straight from the freezer — no thawing needed. Ready at 380°F in about 15 minutes, with a perfect garlic-butter finish.
Ingredients
- 2 frozen lobster tails, about 5–6 oz each
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Place the frozen lobster tails in the air fryer basket, shell-side down and not touching. Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes to soften the shell.
- Remove the tails. Using kitchen shears, cut down the center of the top shell toward the tail fins — cut the shell, not the meat. Open the shell and lift the meat so it rests on top.
- Brush the lobster meat with melted butter and season with salt, pepper, and garlic if using.
- Return the tails to the basket, meat-side up. Air fry at 380°F for 8–10 more minutes, until the meat is opaque and the internal temperature reaches 140–145°F (60–63°C).
- Brush with extra butter, garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Equipment
- Sharp Kitchen Shears
- Instant-read thermometer
Notes
- Cook to an internal temperature of 140–145°F for the best texture — lobster overcooks quickly and turns rubbery.
- For larger tails (7–8 oz), add 2–4 minutes. For small 3–4 oz tails, reduce by about 2 minutes.
- If your tails are already thawed, skip step 1 and cook 5–8 minutes total.
- Don't crowd the basket — cook in batches if needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 851mgPotassium: 139mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 354IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 0.2mg