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    Home » Recipes » Entrees

    How to Make Crispy and Juicy Cornish Hens in the Air Fryer

    First Published: May 6, 2023 . Last Modified: May 6, 2023 lisa32 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Air Fryer Cornish Hen is a gourmet meal that requires only a few ingredients and cooks in 45 minutes. This Cornish game hen recipe results in super crispy skin on the outside and juicy tender poultry on the inside.

    Cornish Game hens make a beautiful dinner plate presentation.

    If you are looking for an easy dinner recipe, these Cornish game hens are elegant but easy to prepare and perfect for a special occasion dinner party. Follow the simple steps for a quick Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, a meal perfect for serving guests or something warm and comforting any night of the week.

    What are Cornish Game Hens?

    Cornish game hens are a smaller breed of poultry that usually weigh 1 to 2 pounds and look like miniature chickens. They taste like regular chicken and the smaller size makes it a great option to serve 1 to 2 people for a gourmet weeknight dinner.

    Because they are under two pounds, these small chickens cook much more quickly than a whole roasted chicken. It is easy to divide one in half with a cleaver after cooking making it a perfect size to serve on a dinner plate. This easy air fryer recipe yields tender meat and is perfect for special occasions. It's one of my favorites for serving dinner guests.

    Even though they are called game hens, they are not game birds and do not have a gamey taste. The juicy meat is like enjoying mini rotisserie chickens.

    While I do occasionally see fresh Cornish hens, most grocery stores sell frozen ones. Make sure to defrost a frozen hen overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

    A cornish game hen has been cut in half with a cleaver.

    I love this air fryer method of cooking a Cornish hen. They cook in about 45 minutes and the skin gets a deep golden brown while the inside stays juicy. It also allows me to have extra oven space so I can bake Pecan Pie or Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes for dessert.

    If you would rather roast your Cornish Hens in the oven, check out my recipe for Lemon Herb Roasted Cornish Hens.

    Ingredients Needed

    • Cornish Game Hens - Cornish hens are usually available in 2 packs and are typically between 1 and 2 pounds each.
    • Olive Oil – Use your favorite light, neutral-flavored oil.
    • Seasoning – A general poultry or chicken seasoning adds lots of flavor and helps the chicken to brown. You will also want to use salt and pepper to taste. You can always change things us and use your favorite seasonings or fresh herbs.

    See the recipe card for full details, exact cooking time and ingredients.

    How To Cook Cornish Hens in an Air Fryer

    • Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F if necessary. Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket or racks with the oil. Remove any giblets from the Cornish hens and rinse them inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels.
    • Rub the cornish hens with olive oil and sprinkle seasoning, salt and pepper all over and lightly rub to coat. For best results, place the hens breast side down on the cooking rack.
    • Cook the Cornish hens for 30 minutes then flip and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when checked with a meat thermometer. This will take about 10-15 additional minutes and the skin should be crispy.
    • Rest the hens for 10 minutes. Cutting in half and season with extra salt and pepper to taste if necessary. Serve with your favorite side dishes.

    I brush the outside of the hens with a bit of olive oil and some seasoning. I can fit 2 Cornish hens inside my air fryer which is just perfect to serve 4 people. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might obly be able to do one at a time but this is a perfect meal for two people.

    The finished recipe on a plate with broccoli and mashed potatoes.

    Top Cooking Tip: It is a good idea to check your poultry at the end of cooking with a digital thermometer. The internal temperature of the hens should be at 165 degrees. If you do not have a thermometer, they are cooked when the wing slightly gives from the body of the hen when pulled, the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear.

    Two seasoned cornish hens on an air fryer tray waiting to be cooked.

    Seasoning for your Air Fryer Cornish hens

    I always keep an all purpose chicken seasoning in my pantry and use it for all poultry. My favorites are this rotisserie chicken seasoning or Montreal chicken seasoning. Both of these seasonings include salt so there is no extra salt needed.

    If you wanted to, you could use your favorite seasoning, make your own or just season the Cornish hen with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Italian seasoning and lemon pepper seasoning are also good options. I use one to two tablespoons of seasoning for two hens depending on the size of them.

    While the typical size is two pounds or under, they can vary a bit so use just enough seasoning to lightly coat your birds. You can always add some extra salt and pepper to taste before serving.

    Cook Cornish Hens so they turn golden brown.

    Side dishes to serve with this Cornish hen recipe

    This recipe can easily be served with some roasted or steamed vegetables to make dinner super simple. But if you'd like some more recipe ideas, here you go:

    • Roasted Cranberry Glazed Brussels Sprouts
    • Butternut Squash and Mushroom Risotto
    • Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Zest
    • Mini Parmesan Truffle Hasselback Potatoes
    • Spinach Salad with Grapes, Blue Cheese and Almonds
    • Easy Crockpot Cornbread Dressing via Restless Chipotle

    Leftover Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    I can't say that I always have leftovers as I have a hungry teenage boy living in my house who loves cornish hen cooked in the air fryer. But he is about to go away to college and sometimes I cook dinner for just my husband and me. But I still cook 2 hens as I like to make an extra. Leftover cornish hens can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the air fryer or oven. Use the leftovers just as you would use leftover roasted chicken. It is perfect to make Buffalo Chicken Flatbread or Chicken, Mango and Avocado Salad.

    Recipe being cooked in the air fryer.

    Air Fryer Cooking Tips

    • Preheat your air fryer if necessary. Read your manual instructions as some air fryers need to be preheated while others do not.
    • It is a good idea to coat the grates of your air fryer racks or basket with some sort of oil or cooking spray. It will insure that food does not stick. Spray oils are best as some commercial cooking sprays can ruin the finish on racks and baskets.
    • Don't overcrowd. In order for food to cook evenly, it should be slightly spread out.
    • A good instant thermometer helps insure that meat, poultry and fish are cooked thoroughly.
    • For better browning, rotate the basket or racks halfway through cooking.
    • The cook time can vary based on your brand of air fryer. You may also need to adjust cooking times depending on the size of your Cornish game hens.
    Golden air fryer cornish game hens.

    Check out my Cornish Hen webstory to see how easy it is to cook!

    FAQ

    How long do I cook my cornish hens in the air fryer?

    Two cornish hens take me 45 minutes to cook in my air fryer. Give or take a few minutes depending on the size of your Cornish hens. Also it could take a few minutes less if you are only cooking one bird.

    What is the best temperature to cook Cornish hens at?

    I cook my hens at 375 degrees in my air fryer for crispy skin and juicy meat. My air fryer does not need to be preheated but check your manual to see if yours does.

    Should Cornish hens be rinsed before cooking?

    There is no need to rinse them but I like to pat mine dry with a paper towel. This removes all moisture and allows for a crispy skin.

    Can you cook frozen Cornish hens?

    You can but I don't recommend it. Hens are best defrosted in the refrigerator overnight then cooked. A frozen hen will take longer to cook plus there will be a lot of juice and the skin will not get crispy like it would when cooking a defrosted hen.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Baked Potatoes with Seasoned Sour Cream
    • Air Fryer Chicken Legs
    • Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Air Fried Tofu via Souffle Bombay
    • Air Fryer Cajun Salmon
    • Air Fryer Baby Carrots with Honey Butter
    • Air Fryer Lamb Chops

    If you like this Cornish Hen recipe, please rate it 5-stars below.

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 15 votes

    Air Fryer Cornish Hens

    Cooking Cornish hens in the air fryer creates crispy skin and juicy, tender poultry.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Dinner Entree, Easy Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 484kcal
    Cost: $10

    Ingredients

    • 2 Cornish Hens (see note on size)
    • 1 to 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 to 2 tablespoon poultry or chicken seasoning
    • extra salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Grease the air fryer racks or baskets with the oil. Remove any giblets from the Cornish hens and rinse the inside of them. Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Preheat air fryer to 375 degrees if necessary.
    • Rub the cornish hens with olive oil and sprinkle seasoning all over and lightly rub to coat. Place the hens breast side down on the cooking rack.
    • Cook the Cornish hens for 30 minutes then flip and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees and skin is crispy. (see note)
    • Rest the hens for 10 minutes before cutting in half. Season with extra salt and pepper to taste if necessary.

    Notes

    An instant read thermometer is the best way to check the temperature of your poultry. Put it in the thickest part of the hen which is typically the thigh area. If you do not have a thermometer, check doneness by pulling the leg. There should be some give and if you cut a small slit in the chicken, the meat should no longer be pink with clear juices running out. 
    Most Cornish Hens are between 1 and 2 pounds so nutritional information will vary dependent on the size of your Cornish hens.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

    Subscribe to my newsletter if you would like more easy recipes like this one. You can also order my Super Easy Cookbook for Beginners and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterestand Instagram.

       

     

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    Comments

    1. Kushigalu says

      January 21, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      That looks so delicious. Love the tips shared and how crispy it looks on outside. Will try it for dinner over weekedn.

      Reply
    2. Vicky says

      January 21, 2021 at 9:56 pm

      5 stars
      Love the convenience of the air fryer! Yummy chicken dinner!!

      Reply
    3. Alison says

      January 21, 2021 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      The air fryer never ceases to amaze me! Another win! Super simple ingredients, and turns out perfect!

      Reply
      • Sheena O Howard says

        October 03, 2021 at 3:05 pm

        5 stars
        It was easy and delicious recipe for air fryed chicken thand

        Reply
    4. Angela says

      January 21, 2021 at 10:47 pm

      5 stars
      Love this cooking method! So easy to do and makes the moistest bird. YUM!

      Reply
    5. Priya Lakshminarayan says

      January 21, 2021 at 11:15 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good. Love how easy this recipe is.

      Reply
    6. Jackie says

      February 14, 2021 at 8:11 am

      I'm making this tonight and can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    7. Ralph Woomer says

      October 10, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      All Cornish Game Hens come frozen. Do you need to defrost before cooking in the air Fryer? If so, how. If not, do the cooking times still apply?

      Reply
      • lisa says

        October 10, 2021 at 5:35 pm

        Yes, if the Cornish Hens are frozen, they should be defrosted in a refrigerator overnight. I have bought fresh before but you are right that many grocery stores only sell frozen ones.

        Reply
    8. Scottee Meade says

      October 24, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      This was so easy and delicious! I haven't made Cornish hens in years, but I'm definitely adding this to my regular rotation!

      Reply
      • lisa says

        October 24, 2021 at 6:00 pm

        Glad you like them this way!

        Reply
      • DeeDee says

        July 27, 2022 at 4:47 pm

        5 stars
        I am trying this for dinner tonight I hope it turns out lol

        Reply
        • lisa says

          August 02, 2022 at 2:26 pm

          DeeDee,
          I hope you loved it as much as I do!
          Lisa

          Reply
    9. Dave says

      October 24, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      What temperature do you cook them at for 45 minutes in the air fryer?

      Reply
      • lisa says

        October 24, 2021 at 10:58 pm

        Dave,
        375 degrees. See the recipe card for complete instructions.

        Reply
    10. Claudia Lamascolo says

      April 23, 2022 at 10:26 am

      5 stars
      you really have me wishing for these I need to get out and buy two so I can make this marvelous recipe! Thanks for the inspiration... these look great.

      Reply
      • lisa says

        April 24, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Thanks Claudia! It is such a good easy meal!

        Reply
    11. Marji Morrow says

      July 12, 2022 at 2:40 am

      5 stars
      I have used this Cornish Game Hen recipe twice and both times it came out delicious. I love home simple it is!

      Reply
      • lisa says

        July 18, 2022 at 9:44 am

        Thank you! Glad you like the recipe!

        Reply
    12. Dorothy c Tecklenburg says

      July 21, 2022 at 8:06 pm

      5 stars
      My husband kept saying, "This is really good!" And then two minutes later, "This is really good!"

      Reply
      • lisa says

        July 21, 2022 at 9:08 pm

        So happy you like the recipe! Thank you for the rating.

        Reply
    13. TnMtns says

      September 04, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      WOnderful recipe ... simple and tastes great! NOt covered in advertisements or trying to sell "stuff" Thank You

      Reply
    14. Renee says

      November 08, 2022 at 7:18 pm

      I would like to know what kind of air fryer everyone uses. I have a breville air fryer pro I followed this recipe and they were nowhere near done. I had to cook for another 30 minutes

      Reply
      • lisa says

        November 10, 2022 at 9:24 am

        Renee,
        I use my PowerXL Air Fryer oven. Were they really big cornish hens? That's odd because I've never had to cook them that long but maybe your air fryer temp is running low.
        Lisa

        Reply
    15. Becky says

      November 30, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      Wow they are amazing! First time cooking them and it was perfection. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe

      Reply
      • lisa says

        December 01, 2022 at 9:10 am

        Hi Becky,
        Glad you enjoyed them!! And thanks for leaving the nice comment.
        Happy holidays!
        Lisa

        Reply
    16. CYNTHIA says

      November 20, 2023 at 6:27 pm

      I made the Cornish hens yesterday they were absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • lisa says

        November 21, 2023 at 12:56 pm

        Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    17. Lyn LeClair says

      March 07, 2024 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      This Cornish Hen was absolutely delicious…so easy and will make again real soon.

      Reply
      • lisa says

        March 11, 2024 at 3:10 pm

        Glad you enjoyed Lyn! Thanks for the review!

        Reply
    18. LSM says

      April 01, 2024 at 6:18 am

      5 stars
      Made this over the weekend - HUGE hit at my house!

      Reply
      • lisa says

        April 01, 2024 at 1:08 pm

        Glad you enjoyed and thanks for the review!
        Lisa

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lisa

    I love creating recipes and cooking for my family and friends. It's great to bring everyone to my kitchen to talk, laugh and eat. I also like to spread my love for cooking to others. So grab an apron and let's do it together. I promise my recipes will be easy and delicious!

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