Cornish Hen in Air Fryer Recipe

Roasted Cornish hens in an air fryer from the top view.

Cornish Hen in Air Fryer Recipe

Learn how to cook Cornish Hen in an Air Fryer with this easy recipe. The air fryer is the perfect tool for cooking these little birds because it yields a crisp, golden-brown skin and a tender, juicy middle. This elegant dish is perfect to serve for a special occasion or dinner party, but it also makes for a delicious, easy weeknight meal.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Resting Time 10

Total Time 50

Servings

Calories 975kcal

Author Aysegul Sanford

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cornish hens 1 to 1 ½ pounds each - fully thawed
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

Dry the hens: Take cornish hens out of the fridge and pat dry on all sides using a few sheets of paper towels. Let them rest while you are making the rub.
Mix the seasoning: Mix the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Oil the meat: Rub the cornish hens with olive oil on all sides and inside the cavity.
Season the hens: Sprinkle with the seasoning on the skin and in the cavity area, ensuring that it is equally distributed.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. (176 degrees C).
Place hens in the air fryer: Carefully remove the basket and place seasoned cornish hens breast side down in a single layer.
Air fry: Air fry for 20 minutes, flip, and continue to air fry until the thickest part of the bird registers 165 degrees when inserted with a thermometer for 15-17 minutes. The skin should be golden brown and crispy as well.
Rest and serve: Carefully remove the cornish hens from the air fryer and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Prep: Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin of your hens before putting them in the air fryer. Removing as much liquid as possible will ensure that your chickens come out with perfectly crispy skin.
Cook time: This recipe was tested with cornish hens that were about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds. There is a direct correlation between the size of the bird and air frying time. If your birds are larger, I would recommend adding 5-10 minutes of additional cooking time, depending on their size.
Thaw: I highly recommend thoroughly thawing the cornish hens before placing them in the air fryer. Fully thawing the meat will ensure that it cooks evenly in the air fryer, giving you an evenly cooked chicken with a crisp exterior.
Breast side down: When you add your meat to the air fryer, position the cornish hens breast side down in the basket. This is an important step to prevent the breasts from cooking before the rest of the birds.
Tie the legs: Tying the legs is an optional step. However, it helps with ensuring that they hold their shape and still look good after they are air fried.
Resting time: Be sure to let the meat rest for ten minutes before serving. This resting time allows the meat to reabsorb its juices, resulting in a flavorful poultry meal.
Serving suggestions: What to serve them with? Here are a few of our favorite side dishes to serve with this recipe.
Store: Be sure to bring air-fried cornish hens to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat: To reheat the leftovers, you have two options:
- In the air fryer: To reheat cornish game hens in the air fryer, preheat the fryer to 400 degrees and cook the hens for 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the meat to avoid overcooking, and flip the birds halfway through the reheating process.
- In the oven: Set the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chicken in a baking dish and add a few tablespoons of water to keep the meat moist. It should take about 10 minutes in the oven for the hen to warm up.

Nutrition