Air Fryer Cornish Hens
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Air fryer Cornish game hens are one of favorite easy dinners. Because of their smaller size, air frying Cornish game hens are quick and easy. You can get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes if you’re only air frying one hen.
Juicy Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Crispy skin and juicy meat, these are the delicious results that comes out of the air fryer. The hot circulating air cooks the skin to crispy perfection and keeps the meat juicy and wonderful. It’s a game changer when you make air fried Cornish game hens.
What are Cornish Hens vs Regular Chickens?
- First of all, they are also commonly called Cornish game hens.
- These Cornish hens are harvested much earlier than regular chickens, usually at 4-5 weeks and weigh an average of 2 pounds.
- They’re young female Cornish chickens and not fully grown chickens yet that usually has more tender meat than fully grown chickens.
- Cornish hens usually have less fat than regular chickens.
- If you want to air fry a whole chicken, here’s our air fryer whole chicken recipe.
Video: Recipe for Air Fryer Cornish game hens
How to Air Fry Cornish Hens (Tips)
- If your hens are frozen, allow them to thaw completely, especially in the center cavity. Rinse out any excess ice that’s in the center make sure the cavity is completely thawed. Lay the cavity upside down on a paper towel to drain out all the excess water.
- Make sure to pat dry the outside of the Cornish game hen skins with paper towels. Removing moisture on the skin will allow it to cook crispy!
- Add your favorite fry seasonings on the outside of the hen besides the basic salt and pepper. Lemon pepper, garlic powder, herb seasonings or even steak seasoning is absolutely delicious.
- Use a thermometer to ensure it’s cooked all the way through.
- All recipe details are in the recipe box below.
How to store leftovers
Fridge: If you plan on eating the leftovers over the next 2-3 days in sandwiches or salads, just store them in air right containers in the fridge.
Freezer: store the leftovers in air tight plastic bags or containers. Eat these leftovers within 3-4 weeks of freezing.
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens (about 1.5 lbs./680g each)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried basil (or herbs of choice)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper
- oil spray
Equipment
- Oil Sprayer (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine seasonings (garlic powder, smoked paprika, basil, salt, and pepper).
- Spray Cornish hens with oil to coat. Rub seasoning mix around the hens.
- Spray basket/tray of air fryer with oil spray or line with a perforated silicone liner or perforated parchment paper. Lay hens breast side down in the basket/tray.
- Air Fry at 360°F/182°C for 20 minutes then flip the hens.
- If needed, crumple some foil and place under the front of the Cornish hens to level them and keep the legs from sticking upwards toward the top of the air fryer where the heating element can get too hot. This will keep the legs from burning.
- Air Fry for another 12-18 or until internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C.
- Allow the hens to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
More Easy air fryer recipes
- Check out all our air fryer chicken recipes that are easy and delicious
- Crispy air fryer chicken wings
- Oil-less deep fried turkey in air fryer
- Air fryer jalapeno poppers with bacon
- Easy air fryer coconut shrimp appetizer
- Learn more about Cornish hens
3 Comments on “Air Fryer Cornish Hens”
What an interesting recipe. We had fun cooking this for date night. They tasted great.
I am absolutely in love with this recipe. The Cornish hens are great size for air frying.
This is definitely on my next date night menu. Really cool recipe.