Air Fryer Cornish Hen

Crispy seasoned skin and juicy tender meat are at your fingertips with this simple air fryer cornish hen recipe! A quick rub down in a blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, and olive oil creates a mouth-watering base.

Why this recipe works

This air fryer cornish hen recipe brings elegance to the table in the easiest way possible. Preheat, season, and let the air fryer handle the rest – which also means the oven is freed up for a batch of roasted red potatoes or other pan-roasted veggies to serve on the side.

Cornish hens are a great alternative to whole roasted chicken when you only have a couple of people to feed. To clear any confusion, cornish hens are a breed of English game chicken which are much smaller in size and are typically bred for their meat due to their poor egg production. When you air fry them you can guarantee perfectly crisp golden skin and juicy white meat in only 45 minutes.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

CORNISH HENS – Cornish hens typically come in a two-pack weighing around 1-2 pounds each. We used two pounds of Cornish hens weighing 1 pound each. You will want your hens to be thawed before beginning. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or until no longer frozen. To help them thaw a little quicker you can add them (in their packaging) to a bowl of cold water, switching the water out as needed to keep it cold.

SEASONINGS – Much like any other chicken, you can easily play around with different seasonings and spices. We love a mixture of paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, and black pepper that sticks to the skin leaving it super flavorful.

How to Make Air Fryer Cornish Hen

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Preheat air fryer to 360 F.
2. Pat Cornish hens dry with paper towels.
3. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together to make a loose paste.
4. Using gloved hands, rub paste all over the outside of both hens.
5. Place hens, breast side up, into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 F for 25 minutes.
   
   EXPERT TIP – It’s okay if the hens touch a little in the air fryer basket but if they are too large don’t cram them in together. Air fry them separately instead and they will need space for the air to flow around them.
   
   
6. Using tongs, turn hens over and air fry for an additional 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Cornish hens are cooked through when they reach 165F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat.

Store leftover cornish hen in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer using the reheat function. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

Serve air fryer cornish hen with a side of potatoes or rice as well as asparagus risotto, carrots, or green beans. Feel free to get creative with your favorite blend of seasoning, spices, or herbs in this recipe – there’s room for so many different variations!

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Steak
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Lamb Chops
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

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