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    Home » Recipes » Main Courses

    Fried Lobster Tails

    Published: Mar 9, 2022 · Modified: May 20, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    These fried lobster tails are rich, buttery, and seasoned to perfection. Deliciously decadent, they're the perfect dinner for any special occasion.

    A fried lobster tail on a plate.

    I love lobster. From boiled to smoked and everything in between, I can't get enough of it. Recently, I tried frying them, and oh wow, are they delicious!

    Fried Lobster Tails

    This was inspired by my other smoked lobster tail recipe on this site and pairs well with this delicious cheese bread recipe that tastes just like Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits!

    Ingredients

    It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this easy recipe.

    • Lobster tails
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Paprika
    • Milk
    • flour
    • Baking Powder
    • Vegetable oil for frying
    • Melted butter for dipping

    See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.

    Instructions

    Making these lobster tails is as easy as the ingredient list. It only takes a few simple steps!

    Step 1: Prep the Lobster

    Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut down the belly portion of the tail from one end to the other. Repeat the process on the top of the shell and remove the tail from the shell.

    Then, use a sharp knife to cut a slit down the top of the tail lengthwise to expose the intestinal vein. Remove it using the tip of your knife.

    Step 2: Season the Tails

    Season the tails with salt, pepper, and paprika and allow them to set for about 3 minutes.

    Step 3: Make a Dredge Station

    In a flat dish with a lip, mix flour and baking powder together. In another dish add milk.

    Step 4: Dredge the Tails

    Dredge the tails in milk and then roll them in the flour mixture.

    Step 5: Fry

    Preheat oil in a small pan over medium heat. The oil should be about a half-inch deep. Then, place the tail in the hot oil for 2 minutes. Flip the tails and fry for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the breading is golden brown. Enjoy!

    Hint: When deveining the lobster, remember that the vein isn't super deep. Carefully cut so that you only cut deeply enough to expose the vein

    Closeup shot of forkful of fried lobster tail being dipped in butter

    Substitutions

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change these fried lobster tails.

    • Buttermilk - For an extra rich coating, use buttermilk instead of regular milk.
    • Panko - For an extra crispy exterior, use panko breading.
    • Canola Oil - If you don't have vegetable oil, canola oil will work for frying.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this fried lobster tails recipe? Here are some of my tried and true tips for changing up this recipe.

    • Spicy - Add chili pepper flakes to the flour for an extra kick of heat.
    • Garlic Powder - Try adding garlic powder to the flour.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these bacon wrapped scallops.

    Equipment

    You won't need much in the way of equipment to make these delicious lobster tails.

    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Tongs
    • Knife
    • Kitchen shears
    • Cutting board
    • Pan

    Storage

    Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

    Tips

    This is a very simple recipe, but I have a couple of tips that will help you make it as great as it can possibly be.

    • Be gentle when cutting the shells off of the tails. Use just the tip of the shears so you don't mangle the meat while cutting the shells.
    • Use a light touch when cutting the tail to expose the intestinal vein. It's not that deep.
    Closeup shot of fried lobster tial on plate.

    More Seafood Recipes

    Do you like seafood? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.

    • Red Lobster Crab Cakes
    • Smoked Mac and Cheese with Lobster
    • Shrimp Stuffed Salmon

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about fried lobster? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about these fried lobster tails.

    How long are lobster tails good?

    They'll last for 2 to 3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

    How do I reheat lobster tails?

    Place the tail in a dish with a bit of liquid and cover it with foil. Then, bake it at 350 degrees until heated through.

    How do I know when lobster is done?

    The meat will become creamy white with no translucent areas when the lobster is fully cooked.

    Fried Lobster Tails Video

    YouTube video

    Fried Lobster Tails

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A fried lobster tail on a plate.

    Fried Lobster Tails

    Karin and Ken
    These fried lobster tails are lightly seasoned and breaded and fried to golden perfection. They're perfect for a special meal.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 202 kcal

    Equipment

    • large skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lobster tails
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ cup milk
    • ½ cup flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • vegetable oil for frying
    • melted butter for dipping
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Get out and measure your ingredients.
      Overhead photo of all the ingredients needed to make fried lobster tails.
    • Remove lobster tail from shell. Using a kitchen sheers, cut from the front to back on the belly side of the lobster.
      Kitchen sheers cutting open lobster tail.
    • Repeat this on the top side of the lobster. Gently pull shell off the tail.
      Kitchen sheers cutting open lobster tail.
    • Using a sharp knife, cut a slit along the top of the tail, lengthwise. This will expose the intestinal vein. Using the tip of the knife, remove it.
      Removing the intestinal vein from lobster tail.
    • Season both lobster tails with salt, pepper, and paprika. Allow to sit for 3 minutes.
      Lobster tails seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika.
    • Preheat vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat. Vegetable oil should be about ½ inch deep. Oil is ready when a drop of water flicked in it dances.
    • Whisk flour and baking powder together and put it on a flat dish.
    • Dredge each lobster tail in milk.
      Seasoned lobster tails submerged in milk inside a bowl.
    • Before rolling it in the flour mixture.
      Lobster tail then rolled around in flour mixture.
    • Shake off excess.
      Flour coated lobster tail. Excess flour shaken off.
    • Place breaded tails in hot oil for 2 minutes.
      Carefully placing coated lobster tails in a frying pan with oil.
    • Flip and fry for 2-3 more minutes until coating is golden brown.
      Lobster tails frying inside a pan
    • Serve with melted butter.
      Cooked fried lobster tails served on a white plate with a fork.
    • Enjoy every bite.
      A bite of Fried lobster tail on a fork. The fork is dipping the lobster in melted butter.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 16gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 86mgSodium: 1563mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 189mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Fried lobster tails, lobster, lobster tails
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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