Air Fryer Cornish Hen Crispy Skin Juicy Meat

Love cooking poultry in the air fryer? Try my air fryer chicken breast, air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer turkey breast, and air fryer chicken tenderloins next. While I typically like to make an air fryer whole chicken for my family, to change things up, this air fryer cornish hen comes in a clutch. I love it because it’s much faster and easier than roasting it in the oven (although roasted hens are pretty epic, too). If you are worried about the texture of the cornish hen, don’t fret- it’s just as juicy and crispy as you’d expect.

Why I love this recipe

Super speedy. With a cooking time of 40 minutes, your bird is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. No excess oil. Hot air rapidly circulates around the hen in the air fryer. This, plus only one tablespoon of oil, creates a crispy golden-brown skin and juicy, tender meat. Individual servings. If I’m making this for myself or my other half, it’s the perfect size for cooking. I mean, essentially, they are mini rotisserie chickens. Saying that, it’s also easy to double or triple for families and get-togethers! Mess-free. Okay, confession. One of the perks of using an air fryer is the minimal mess or cleanup required. Who is with me?

Ingredients needed

Cornish hen. Use a Cornish hen that’s small enough to fit in your air fryer basket. Pick up as many as you need so everyone gets their own hen! Ground spices. Garlic powder and onion powder provide an aromatic, savory flavor, while paprika adds a touch of warmth and smokiness. Dried herbs. I used dried rosemary, thyme, and dried basil leaves, but oregano, parsley, and sage also taste great on poultry. Fresh herbs can also be used if you prefer. Olive oil. Only a small amount of oil is needed to coat the skin and help it cook to golden brown and crispy perfection. Salt and pepper. To help the incredible flavors in this recipe taste balanced.

How to air fryer cornish hen

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Cornish hens look and taste very similar to regular chicken but are smaller and yield more tender and flavorful meat. Because of their size, they make a great option for a dinner for two or three people.

Arman’s recipe tips

Preheat the air fryer: A hot, preheated air fryer will always give you an evenly cooked Cornish hen with extra crispy skin. Yum! Use a meat thermometer: It’s the best tool to use if you’re unsure if the bird is cooked through or not. Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the hen as it cooks. You’ll know it’s ready to come out of the air fryer when the internal temperature is between 160ºF and 165°F. Let it rest: Let the Cornish hen rest on a cutting board for 5 to 10 minutes after air frying. This gives those wonderful meaty juices time to settle, giving you the most moist and tender meat.

Storage instructions

To store: Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Change the dry rub: Pat the hen dry with paper towels before seasoning it with blackened seasoning, Cajun spice rub, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, Greek seasoning, or poultry seasoning. Use a marinade: Let the hen soak for 1 to 4 hours or overnight in teriyaki sauce, honey mustard, 4-ingredient chicken marinade, or hot honey sauce. Sides are a must: Serve this dish with simple side dishes, like salad, potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

To freeze: Once the Cornish hen has cooled to room temperature, place it in a large ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating. To reheat: Heat the leftover Cornish hen in a 360ºF air fryer until the skin is crispy again and the meat is heated through.