Air Fryer Cornish Hens are the perfect combination of crispy, golden skin, and tender, juicy meat with minimal effort on your party – plus make in the Ninja Foodi too!
Air Fryer Cornish Hens allows you to make a restaurant-quality meal right at home, this recipe will impress and is perfect for date night or when cooking for two! These hens are seasoned with lemon pepper and bursting with flavor, the meat is perfectly tender and easy to slice and serve.
If you are new to the air fryer, this is such an easy recipe it’s a great one for a newbie too! I am certain it’ll impress your family or guests but also won’t be much effort on your part either!
How long does it take to cook a cornish hen in the air fryer?
It takes about 40 minutes to fully cook a cornish hen in the air fryer at 360 degrees F. That is with no preheating involved. Remember that all air fryers do heat differently so it’s always best to have a meat thermometer on hand.
It is best to carefully flip the cornish hen after about 20 minutes of cook time, to be sure it’s evenly cooked on all sides.
The skin comes out perfectly crisp and with very little oil needed!
What is the best seasoning to use on Air Fryer Cornish Hens?
We use Dash seasonings because there is no salt added. In this case, I used the Lemon Pepper Seasoning; however, Garlic & Herbs would be a great option too.
These can be seasoned with your favorite seasoning of choice; however, for us, these are the ones that we regularly use.
It’s also best to give the cornish hen a nice coat of oil spray, the best one to use is Grapeseed Oil Spray as it has a higher smoke point. I have used Olive Oil Cooking Spray as well though and it worked just as well.
How do you make Cornish Hens in the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker?
This recipe and method for cornish hens can be done in the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker using the air crisp lid and the air crisp function. It will be made the same way as it would in the air fryer.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Cornish Hens:
- Dry the Skin First – Pat the skin dry before adding your seasoning this will help the skin get nice and crisp.
- Do not overcrowd the Air Fryer – Be sure to leave a little room around the hens to make sure the air circulates well. Typically about two will fit nicely in most air fryers.
- Use a Meat Thermometer – This is the best way to be sure that your hens are fully cooked without overcooking!
- Spice it up – Use a variety of different seasonings like Lemon Pepper, Cajun Seasonings, Garlic and Herb Seasonings, or Barbecue Seasoning!
How do you store leftovers?
Once fully cooled, store leftover cornish hens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, air fry on an air fry-safe dish at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes.
Air Fryer Cornish Hens are a great impressive recipe with lots of flavor but without all the work, these are perfect for date night or even weeknight dinner!
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 2 1-1.5lb Cornish Hens (Thawed)
- No-Salt Added Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Grapeseed Oil Spray
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the cornish hens, pat them completely dry and use the seasoning and rub it over the hens evenly. Remove the giblet too if needed.
- Using the seasoning, rub it evenly over the cornish hens. We use Mrs. Dash No-Salt Added Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
- Carefully place the hens breast side down into the basket of the air fryer.
- Coat the cornish hens with grapeseed oil spray evenly, then cook at 360°F for 20 minutes.
- Carefully rotate the cornish hens and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
- Carefully remove and let rest for 10 minutes then cut and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Kristy says
This is one of our favorite date night meals!
Esme Slabbert says
Looking so delicious and love the wonderfully baked skin and color
Thank you for sharing and participating at SSPS 347. See you at #348 Hope you had a fun Valentine’s Day