Air Fryer Cornish Game Hen Cozy Real Crispy Dinner You Will Love
This Air Fryer Cornish Game Hen recipe delivers a golden, juicy, and crispy meal perfect for an easy dinner or weeknight dinner. Enjoy a family dinner with a crispy Cornish hen made effortlessly using this simple Cornish game hen air fryer recipe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 2 to 4 servings 1x
- Category: Air Fryer Recipes
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cornish hens about 1.5 pounds each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat your air fryer to 360 degrees before cooking.
- Mix olive oil with salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and lemon zest or lemon juice in a bowl.
- Dry the Cornish hens thoroughly with paper towels then apply the seasoning blend beneath and on top of their skin, folding the wings underneath.
- Arrange the hens breast side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 35 minutes.
- Turn the hens over and continue cooking for 10 more minutes to crisp the skin completely, making 45 minutes total. Ensure the hens reach 165 degrees F before removing.
Notes
- Dry the Cornish hens with paper towels before seasoning to help the oil adhere and produce crispier skin
- Flip the hens with 10 minutes remaining to crisp both sides evenly without overcooking
- Tuck wings underneath to avoid burning
- Make sure there is ample space for air circulation around the birds in your air fryer
- Let the hens rest for 5 to 10 minutes so juices settle back into the meat
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer at 360 degrees F for 15 minutes, increasing to 400 degrees F if you want extra crispiness
Nutrition
- Calories: 399kcal
- Sodium: 1141mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 168mg
Find it online: https://www.amgroyal.com/air-fryer-cornish-game-hen/