Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Cornish Hens: 35 Minutes at 375
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Cook these Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Cornish hens at 375F for 35 minutes. Step-by-step instructions for crispy, juicy results every time. Another great way to use your Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Oven to make great meals.
- Get step-by-step cooking times and temperatures to achieve crispy skin and juicy, fully cooked meat every time.
- Discover pro tips for seasoning, prepping, and positioning your Cornish hen to prevent drying out during air frying.
- Find a complete ingredients list and simple recipe you can make tonight for 1–2 people.
Here’s how I make it!
Cornish hen in Ninja Foodi
Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 2 cornish hens
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning blend
- 2 Tablespoons butter at room temperature
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 apples , cut in quarters (or use new potatoes or green beans if you prefer)
Instructions
- Mix butter and mustard and rub onto hens on all areas
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and italian seasoning
- Place apples on the oven tray and sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Place hens on top
- Air fry at 375 for 25 minutes and begin checking internal temperature. Cook until it reaches 165.
Nutrition
How to cook a frozen cornish hen
You can cook them from frozen, but it takes a bit longer. Cook the frozen bird for 20 minutes, then take it out and season it, turn it over, and cook it according to the directions below.
Then spray the hens with a nice coat of oil spray. Grapeseed has a high smoke point, so it works well, or you can use other sprays. You can also rub the birds with butter instead or drizzle on some olive oil and rub it all over. (I would use butter every time)
Air fry it at 375 for 25 minutes. Then check to see if its internal temperature is 165. If you are going to cook poultry, a meat thermometer like this one is a must!
Can you cook a cornish hen in an air fryer
The air fryer changes everything and brings “fried” food into the realm of everyday enjoyment. A super-powered convection oven, the air fryer creates healthy versions of foods that are typically fried.
First, you need to season your cornish hens. Take your thawed hens out (1 per 2 people) and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. You can add any of these great seasonings as well:
You’ll get delicious crispy-skinned cornish hens every time, without frying! And these are ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s healthier, easier, and less mess and heat in the kitchen!
It’s a perfect weeknight dinner because it’s so easy and only uses “one pot”
Cornish hens are a breed of chicken that usually weigh less than 2 pounds. They taste like chicken but look so elegant and special when you cook them whole. You will usually find them in the freezer section of your grocery store.
Ninja Foodi air fryer recipes for chicken
For a ton more Ninja Foodi air fryer recipes for chicken, click here.
If you want specifics, check these out:
For more information on cooking whole birds, check out how to cook a whole chicken, turkey or duck here.
Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet
Download and use this handy air fryer cooking times cheat sheet in your kitchen!
You’re going to be so in love with these air fryer cornish hens, you’re going to want to buy them all the time! These Ninja Foodi Cornish hens make an impressive meal with very little effort, perfect for weeknight dinners, holidays, or special occasions.
Tips, Variations, and Substitutions
- Pat the Cornish hens dry first. Removing excess moisture before adding the butter mixture helps the skin become crispier in the air fryer.
- Soften the butter. Room-temperature butter is much easier to mix with the Dijon mustard and spread evenly over the hens.
- Season under the skin. For even more flavor, gently loosen the skin over the breast and rub a little of the seasoned butter underneath.
- Try different seasonings. Swap the Italian seasoning for garlic and herbs, poultry seasoning, rosemary and thyme, or your favorite savory seasoning blend.
- Use olive oil instead of butter. Olive or avocado oil can be substituted for the butter if desired. It will still help the outside brown and crisp.
- Change up the vegetables. Instead of apples, cook the hens over baby potatoes, carrots, green beans, Brussels sprouts, or another sturdy vegetable that can handle the air fryer heat.
- For a sweeter flavor, use firm apples such as Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith. The juices from the hens add savory flavor to the roasted apples.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough room around the hens for hot air to circulate so the skin cooks evenly.
- Cooking time can vary. Cornish hens come in different sizes, and air fryer models cook differently. Begin checking the temperature at 25 minutes and add additional cooking time as needed.
- Always check the internal temperature. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. The hens are ready when they reach 165°F.
- Let them rest before serving. Rest the cooked hens for about 5–10 minutes before cutting so the juices have time to redistribute.
- Serving smaller portions? One Cornish hen can easily be split in half to serve two people, making two hens enough for four servings.
