Description
This air fryer Cornish hen recipe brings restaurant elegance to your home kitchen with minimal effort. The combination of crispy skin and tender, juicy meat makes every bite special. Whether you're cooking for a quiet family dinner or impressing guests, this method never disappoints.
Ingredients
2 Cornish hens (about 1.5 pounds each)
2 tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Onion powder
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Dried thyme
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Black pepper
1 Fresh lemon (optional), halved
2 sprigs Fresh rosemary (optional)
Instructions
- Remove the Cornish hens from packaging and pat them completely dry with paper towels
- If desired, stuff each hen cavity with lemon halves and rosemary sprigs
- Rub the entire surface of each Cornish hen with olive oil
- Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Generously season both hens with this mixture
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F for about 3-5 minutes
- Place the seasoned hens breast-side down in the air fryer basket
- Cook for 20 minutes at 360°F. Then, carefully flip the hens breast-side up using tongs
- Increase temperature to 380°F and cook for another 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Let the air fryer Cornish hens rest for 5-10 minutes before serving
Notes
Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness165°F in the thickest part of the thigh is your target.
Don't skip patting the skin dry; moisture prevents crisping.
If your air fryer is smaller, cook one hen at a time for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hen
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg