Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Description
Crispy, golden, juicy Cornish hens roasted in the air fryer in about 30 minutes — no oil needed. An easy dinner that's special enough for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens, about 1–2 lbs each, thawed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Your favorite seasonings, fresh herbs, garlic, onion, lemon, Italian seasoning, or smoked paprika
- Olive oil — optional, for extra browning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 4 minutes at 390°F.
- Pat the hens dry and season all over — including the cavity — with salt, pepper, and your seasonings of choice.
- Air fry for 15 minutes.
- Flip and air fry the second side for 15 minutes, basting during cooking.
- Cook until a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Rest a few minutes, then plate and serve.
Equipment
- Meat Thermometer
Notes
- This recipe is a blank slate — season it any way you like.
- No oil is needed for crispy skin; a light rub of olive oil is optional.
- Don't crowd the basket; cook in batches if only one hen fits, keeping finished hens warm under foil.
- No grease or parchment needed — Cornish hens rarely stick.
- Cooking from frozen? See the Air Fryer Frozen Cornish Hen method.
- Serve with Air Fryer Butternut Squash Halves or Air Fryer Roasted Bacon Potatoes for a full plate.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 900kcalProtein: 77gFat: 63gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gCholesterol: 455mgSodium: 275mgPotassium: 1062mgVitamin A: 486IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 4mg