Air fryer cornish hens recipe
Crispy, juicy Cornish game hens made in the air fryer. A quick, cozy dinner for two with simple tips, timing, and an optional miso-ginger dipping sauce.
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2.5 tsp white miso paste or yellow
- 2 tbsp ghee or room temperature butter
- 2 whole cornish hens 1 ¼ to 1.5 lbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil 0.5 tbsp per hen
- 1 tsp coarse sea salt 0.5 tsp per hen
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper ⅛ tsp per hen
- ½+ ¼ tsp garlic granules
Miso ginger dressing (Makes ⅔ cup. Optional dipping sauce)
- 0.3 oz ginger grated
- 4 tbsp white miso paste or yellow or chickpea miso for soy-free
- 1 tsp soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 5 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5-2 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 4 tbsp avocado oil or neutral flavored oil
Instructions
- Make the miso butter. In a small bowl, mix the miso paste with the softened ghee (or butter) until smooth. Scoop out 1 tbsp and set aside for brushing at the end.
- Season the hens. Pat the hens dry both outside and inside the cavity. Rub each hen with ½ tbsp olive oil, then season with ½ tsp salt, ⅛ tsp pepper, and sprinkle of garlic granules (a little over ½ tsp garlic granules per hen).
- Add the miso butter. Put on kitchen gloves. Rub the miso butter all over the hens, including under the skin. Keep the layer as even as possible — miso burns quickly in the air fryer if it’s in thick clumps, especially on the breast side.
- Air fry. Line the air fryer basket with a liner. Place both hens breast-side down with some space between them.
- Time and Temperature. Air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 20 minutes, then flip breast-side up and cook for 10–15 more minutes. Check around the 10-minute mark since hens vary in size.
- Check doneness.Cornish hens are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or thigh without touching the bone.
- Finish with miso butter. While the hens are still hot, brush the breast side with the reserved 1 tbsp miso butter so it melts over the skin.
- Rest and carve. Transfer the hens to a board and rest for 10–15 minutes before carving. Serve with the optional miso ginger dipping sauce.
Notes
- Miso Ginger Dipping Sauce: Whisk together the miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and grated ginger. Slowly whisk in the sesame oil and avocado oil until smooth. Serve right away or chill. Store up to 1 week in the fridge and shake well before using.
- Cooking time for larger hens (1.5–2 lbs / 680–900 g each): Bigger hens will need a little more time.
- Air fry 20–23 minutes breast-side down
- Then 15–18 minutes breast-side up
- Check the temperature at the 15-minute mark on the second side.
- Why you need to mix the miso into the butter evenly
Miso browns fast in high heat. Blending it evenly with softened butter helps you spread it in a thin, smooth layer so you don’t get thick patches that burn before the hens are done. It melts into the skin and gives you great color without dark spots. - Safe temperature: Cornish hens are fully cooked at 165°F (74°C). Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. If the juices run clear, the meat is cooked through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cornish hen | Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 1444mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg
