If you love a whole roasted chicken, but don’t like turning on the oven to make one, then you’ll love making one in your air fryer! But, if you’re like me, your air fryer basket is just too small for a large bird. That’s where these amazing air fryer Cornish hens are the perfect choice!
Cornish hens are basically very small chickens, with each bird averaging about 1 – 1 ½ pounds. It’s like a single-serving version of a whole roaster chicken!
You otherwise treat them just like you would a roasted chicken, by lathering it up with some delicious seasonings and cooking it to perfection.
This time, though, we’re cooking them up in the air fryer! Why? Well, you get the crispy skin you love from the oven, with even juicier meat, and did I mention it takes less time and doesn’t heat up the whole house? Yeah, that’s a win.
You can make this recipe in nearly any air fryer, and you don’t need an air fryer with rotisserie attachment to do so. Of course, if you do have one, feel free to use it, but otherwise your normal basket is perfectly sufficient!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
1 Cornish game hen (thawed and drained)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp oregano
½ tsp poultry seasoning
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use a frozen Cornish hen if needed, but it will add 10-15 minutes to cooking time, and won’t give you crispy skin due to the extra moisture. I highly recommend defrosting if possible
The olive oil can be swapped for other high smoke point oils, such as avocado or grapeseed if preferred
If you don’t want to make your own spice blend, you can use about 1 ½ – 2 Tbsp of any of your favorite premade chicken seasoning blends. I like herb and garlic and barbecue myself, but honestly feel free to use your favorites!
This recipe easily doubles if you want to cook two hens at once (since they’re typically sold in a pack of 2)
How to Cook Cornish Hens in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings)
Pat your Cornish hen dry with a paper towel
Rub the oil all over the hen, making sure it’s well coated
Add the seasonings in a small bowl and mix to combine
Apply the seasoning all over the oiled bird (including under the skin and inside the cavity)
Place the seasoned Cornish hen in the air fryer, breast side down
Cook on the air fry setting for 20 minutes at 375°F
Flip the hen over, then cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the bird reaches 165°F
Rest for 10 minutes before serving
What to Serve With Cornish Hens
Rice pilaf
Butternut squash
Roasted potatoes
Mashed potatoes
Scalloped potatoes
Hasselback potatoes
Green beans
Glazed carrots
Couscous
Sweet potatoes
Creamed spinach
Brussels sprouts
Ratatouille
Mac and cheese
Corn pudding
Dinner rolls
Caesar salad
There are lots of great dishes to serve with Cornish hens for your meal!
Yes, a Cornish hen is typically considered a single serving. The small bird averages between 1-2 pounds total weight, which includes the bones as well. Thus, once the meat is removed, it is ideal for one person.
It is still recommended to pair your hen with sides for a complete meal, especially when served for dinner.
Is One Cornish Hen Enough For Two People?
No, a Cornish hen is not usually enough for two people. That said, if you add a large number of side dishes to make up the difference, it may be sufficient.
Most grocers sell Cornish hens in packages of two, though, which is enough for each person to have their own hen.
Should Cornish Hens Be Rinsed Before Cooking?
There is no need to rinse your Cornish hen before cooking, unless there is refuse on it you are specifically trying to remove.
Otherwise, a simple pat dry is sufficient to begin cooking.
How Long Should I Cook Two Cornish Hens in an Air Fryer?
You should cook two Cornish hens in an air fryer for 30-35 minutes total. Cook for 20 minutes breast side down, then an additional 10-15 minutes up. The time will vary based on the size of your specific birds and your air fryer’s power level.
You may cook as many hens at a time in your air fryer as you like without affecting cooking time, so long as you have room for them in a single layer with slight air space around each bird.
What is the Best Temperature to Cook a Cornish Hen in the Air Fryer?
Typically, a Cornish hen is cooked at a temperature of 350°F – 375°F in the air fryer. At 350°F, it will take 35-40 minutes to cook, but give you a lighter brown bird. Cooking at 375°F reduces the cooking time to 30-35 minutes on average, with a darker brown bird.
Both methods will still produce crispy skin and juicy meat, so it’s largely a preference based on time and browning level.
Should Cornish Hens Be Cooked Breast Up or Breast Down?
In an air fryer, Cornish hens should be cooked breast down for 20 minutes. Then, the breast should be flipped up while the bird finishes cooking, usually another 15 minutes or so.
This ensures that the hen gets evenly heated, cooks through, and the skin is evenly browned and crispy.
Is Cornish Hen More Tender Than Chicken?
Yes, a Cornish hen is more tender than chicken. It is more juvenile, thus giving it a more tender texture.
While not a baby chicken per se, it’s still not a fully grown and developed adult.
Recipe Pro Tips
You can tie the end of the legs together using cooking twine if you’d like a more elegant presentation or if you’re having trouble moving the bird around otherwise (the legs can sometimes fall off during transfer once they’re tender)
For a dinner that’s ready when you get home, you can alternatively place the seasoned birds in a crock pot with ½ cup chicken stock in the base. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours. I like to finish in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F to crisp up the skin before serving
To flip the Cornish hens over I recommend using a pair of kitchen tongs to grab them by the cavity in the rear and use that to flip them
If you have an air fryer oven with a rotisserie attachment, season the bird as normal, then attach it to the rotisserie. Cook for 45-60 minutes at 375°F until internal temp is 165°F
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate any leftover Cornish hen in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Since it is a single serving, though, you may not have leftovers. If the bird wasn’t previously frozen, you can always freeze it for a few months. I recommend shredding the cooked meat off the bone for faster defrosting later
Reheat already cooked Cornish hen in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 165°F again. The time will vary based on the size of the portion you’re reheating
These easy air fryer Cornish hens are perfect for when you want a whole chicken, but want it in a single serving. They cook up with crispy skin, juicy meat, and you don’t even need to fire up the oven to do so!
Season these hens up with your favorites, whether it be making your own blend or starting with a chicken rub you already like.
They look elegant enough to impress company or make a small scale holiday meal special. Pair Cornish hens with your favorite sides to round things out for an amazing dinner!
Easy Air Fryer Cornish Hens Recipe
This easy air fryer Cornish hens recipe delivers crispy skin, juicy meat, and a tasty dinner! No need to fire up the big oven to roast a tasty bird that’s simple enough for weeknights and elegant enough for company.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings)
Pat your Cornish hen dry with a paper towel
1 Cornish game hen
Rub the oil all over the hen, making sure it’s well coated
1 Tbsp olive oil
Add the seasonings in a small bowl and mix to combine
1 Tsp salt, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp paprika, 1 Tsp onion powder, 1 Tsp garlic powder, 1 Tsp oregano, ½ Tsp poultry seasoning
Apply the seasoning all over the oiled bird (including under the skin and inside the cavity)
Place the seasoned Cornish hen in the air fryer, breast side down
Cook on the air fry setting for 20 minutes at 375°F
Flip the hen over, then cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the bird reaches 165°F
Rest for 10 minutes before serving
Notes
You can use a frozen Cornish hen if needed, but it will add 10-15 minutes to cooking time, and won’t give you crispy skin due to the extra moisture. I highly recommend defrosting if possible
The olive oil can be swapped for other high smoke point oils, such as avocado or grapeseed if preferred
If you don’t want to make your own spice blend, you can use about 1 ½ – 2 Tbsp of any of your favorite premade chicken seasoning blends. I like herb and garlic and barbecue myself, but honestly feel free to use your favorites!
This recipe easily doubles if you want to cook two hens at once (since they’re typically sold in a pack of 2)
You can tie the end of the legs together using cooking twine if you’d like a more elegant presentation or if you’re having trouble moving the bird around otherwise
For a dinner that’s ready when you get home, you can alternatively place the seasoned birds in a crock pot with ½ cup chicken stock in the base. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours. I like to finish in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F to crisp up the skin before serving
To flip the Cornish hens over I recommend using a pair of kitchen tongs to grab them by the cavity in the rear and use that to flip them
If you have an air fryer oven with a rotisserie attachment, season the bird as normal, then attach it to the rotisserie. Cook for 45-60 minutes at 375°F until internal temp is 165°F
Refrigerate any leftover Cornish hen in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Since it is a single serving, though, you may not have leftovers. If the bird wasn’t previously frozen, you can always freeze it for a few months. I recommend shredding the cooked meat off the bone for faster defrosting later
Reheat already cooked Cornish hen in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-5 minutes, or until the temperature reaches 165°F again. The time will vary based on the size of the portion you’re reheating
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
