air fryer cornish hen
This perfectly seasoned air fryer Cornish hen is irresistibly crispy on the outside and wonderfully tender and juicy on the inside. Ready in under 40 minutes, it's a flavorful dinner for two with minimal effort.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Cornish game hen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 tablespoon dried thyme
- 0.5 tablespoon dried oregano
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 5 minutes and lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
- Rinse the Cornish hen under cold water and pat it dry thoroughly with paper towels, including the inside cavity.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, garlic powder, black pepper, thyme, and oregano to make the seasoning blend.
- Rub the olive oil evenly over the entire surface of the Cornish hen, then sprinkle and pat the seasoning blend all over the bird, inside and out.
- Place the seasoned Cornish game hen in the preheated air fryer basket, breast-side down. Cook for 20 minutes.
- Open the air fryer, carefully flip the hen to breast-side up, and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. If not, cook in 3-5 minute increments until done.
- Once cooked, remove the Cornish hen from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add lemon slices or fresh herbs inside the cavity before air frying. Pair with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad.