Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Discover how to make perfectly crispy and juicy Air Fryer Cornish hen, an elegant dish suitable for any dinner occasion, prepared with minimal fuss and time.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens, cleaned and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved For squeezing juice into the cavity
- 1 Fresh herbs for garnish Optional
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, rosemary, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a seasoning paste.
- Rub this seasoning mixture all over the Cornish hens, ensuring you cover every part, including under the skin where possible for maximum flavor.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon half into the cavity of each hen, then place the lemon halves inside the cavities.
- Place the prepared Cornish hens in the air fryer basket, breast side down to start.
Cooking
- Cook the hens for about 25 minutes on one side.
- After 25 minutes, carefully flip them over to cook the other side.
- Cook for an additional 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check.
Serving
- Once done, remove the Cornish hens from the air fryer and let them rest for about five minutes before carving.
- Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
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Notes
For enhanced flavor, marinate the hens for a few hours or overnight. Allowing the hens to rest after cooking will keep the meat moist. Experiment with seasoning to suit your taste preference.