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Air Fryer Cornish Hens (3 Servings)

Ingredients

Scale
  • One teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • One teaspoon of garlic powder
  • One teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 2 to 3 cornish hens, the ones used in this recipe weighed about 1 or 1.5 pounds each
  • Two tablespoons of olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/180 degrees Celsius.
  2. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Drizzle some olive oil well over the Cornish hens, then season them generously with the dry rub.
  4. Arrange the Cornish hens with the breast side facing up in the air fryer’s basket and cook them for 20 minutes. Cook for a further 20 minutes until the thickest section of the breast reaches 165°F/74°C.
  5. To produce crispy skin, flip the breasts over (with the breast side up) and cook for another 5 minutes.
  6. Remove the Cornish hens from the air fryer with tongs and place them on a dish to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before you slice and serve them.
  7. Serve the Cornish hens with a squeeze of lemon juice on top (this will impart nice flavors into the meat).

This air fryer Cornish hen recipe yields delicious and flavorful results that you and your family will love. Ensure to follow all the cooking instructions in this recipe guideline to arrive at desirable results.

If you’d like to see more ideas for cooking Cornish hens in an air fryer, we have included this video recipe for you to get some inspiration.

Notes

  • You can change the seasoning ingredients to your favorite flavors in your own air fryer Cornish hen recipe. Italian seasoning is a popular option, and chicken seasoning is also a good idea. The beautiful thing about experimenting with different spice and herb combinations is getting a completely distinct flavor each time.
  • Remember to heat your air fryer before you begin to use it. Some recipes may not require any form of preheating, but this one certainly does!
  • Allowing your Cornish hens to come to room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes before air frying might aid in even cooking.
  • Use parchment to line the basket of your air fryer for significantly simpler clean-up and to help with a nonstick surface.
  • Author: Bobby