Name: Air Fryer Cornish Hen Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 44 min
Total time: 49 min
Yield: 8 persons
Cuisine: Caribbean
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Garlic powder; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper; 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme; 1 tablespoon Dried Basil; 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano; 2 (1.5 lb) Cornish Hens; 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Front shot of Air Fryer Cornish Hen in a plate with rice and brussels sprouts on the side

The best way to highlight your culinary skills is to make Cornish hens. Cornish hens are the perfect way to wow a crowd. These Air Fryer Cornish Hens will even wow persons on the keto diet. Best of all, there's no need to pull out your roasting pan. Use an air fryer. You will get a beautiful golden bird with crispy skin and succulent meat. We chose to flavor this bird with basil, thyme, and oregano, as well as smoked paprika to help it turn a beautiful golden color. Serve this with rice or for a keto recipe, serve with Brussels sprouts for an award-winning dinner that will impress anyone who eats this meal.

Equipment Needed

Author: Sarah Leadon

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

44 mins

Total Time

49 mins

Serves

8 persons

Ingredients

1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1 teaspoon Garlic powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme
1 tablespoon Dried Basil
1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
2 (1.5 lb) Cornish Hens
2 tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer at 350 °F.

Whisk the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, basil, and oregano in a small bowl.

Place the Cornish hens onto a baking sheet and brush them with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Coat the Cornish hens with the seasoning mixture and Rub it into the meat to make sure they are coated well.

Place the Cornish hen's breast side up in the air fryer basket and cook it for 20 minutes.

Turn the Cornish hens over and cook them for 20 minutes until a food-safe thermometer inserted into or aimed at the thickest portion of the breast meat registers 165 °F.

Turn the Cornish hens over, so they are breast side up, and cook it for another 5 minutes to allow the skin to get crispy.

Use a pair of tings to remove the Cornish hens from the air fryer.

Serve the Cornish hens with rice and Brussels sprouts if desired.