Air-Fryer Frozen Cornish Hens: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Cornish hens are a popular choice for a gourmet meal, and cooking them in an air fryer yields tender meat with a crispy skin. While it is possible to cook frozen Cornish hens in an air fryer, it is not recommended, as it can result in undercooked insides and burnt outsides. To avoid this, it is best to thaw the hens before cooking. This can be done by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or submerging them in a cold water bath for 3-4 hours. Once thawed, the hens can be cooked in the air fryer for about 45 minutes, depending on the size.

Recommended temperature settings for the air fryer

While it is possible to cook frozen Cornish hens in an air fryer, it is not recommended as it often results in undercooked insides and burnt skin. If you do choose to cook from frozen, increase the cooking time by at least 20 minutes and use a thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You will also need to partially cook the hens first, then remove them from the air fryer, season them, and return them to the air fryer to finish cooking.

For best results, it is recommended that Cornish hens are thawed before cooking. This can be done by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or by submerging them in a leak-proof bag in a bowl of cold water for 3-4 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Once thawed, the ideal temperature for cooking Cornish hens in an air fryer is between 350°F and 375°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the hens, but it typically takes around 45 minutes for a single hen or 35-40 minutes for two hens. It is important to preheat the air fryer before adding the hens, and to leave enough space around them to ensure even cooking.

To achieve crispy skin, pat the hens dry with paper towels before cooking and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. You can also increase the temperature to 400°F for a few minutes if the skin needs extra crispiness.

How to prepare the frozen hens before cooking

It is recommended that you thaw frozen Cornish hens before cooking them in the air fryer. This is because cooking a frozen hen will likely result in undercooked insides and burnt outsides.

To thaw your hens, place them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. Alternatively, you can submerge them in a cold water bath for 3-4 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Once your hens are thawed, remove them from the fridge and pat them dry with paper towels. This will help to absorb any excess moisture, ensuring the skin becomes crispy when cooked.

Next, you can season your hens. One option is to brush oil on the underside and top of the hens and then rub your chosen seasoning onto the skin. Alternatively, you can whisk together oil, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and lemon zest in a small bowl, and then rub this mixture over the hens.

Finally, tuck the wings underneath the hens. This will help to keep them in place and prevent them from cooking too quickly and burning.

Cooking time and instructions

It is recommended that you thaw frozen Cornish hens before cooking them in the air fryer. This is because cooking a frozen hen will likely result in undercooked insides and burnt outsides. Thawing the hens beforehand will ensure they cook evenly and that the skin becomes crispy.

To thaw your Cornish hens, place them in the refrigerator overnight or submerge them in a cold water bath for 3-4 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Once thawed, pat the hens dry with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. You can then brush the hens with oil and season with salt and pepper, or a mixture of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and lemon zest.

When cooking, place the hens in the air fryer basket with the breast side down and cook at 350-375°F for 35-45 minutes, flipping the hens over halfway through. The hens are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

If you are cooking the hens from frozen, start by cooking at 200°F for 17 minutes or until mostly defrosted. Then, increase the temperature to 360°F, spray with olive oil, and season. Cook for another 15 minutes, flip the hens over, spray and season again, and cook for a final 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How to get crispy skin on the hens

While it is possible to cook frozen Cornish hens in an air fryer, it is not recommended as it can result in undercooked meat and burnt, rather than crispy, skin. For the best results, thaw your Cornish hens before cooking them. This can be done by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or submerging them in a cold water bath for 3-4 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Once thawed, remove any giblets from the hens and rinse them inside and out. Pat the hens dry with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. This step is crucial as removing as much liquid as possible will ensure that the skin becomes crispy during cooking.

Next, rub the hens with olive oil and season them. A simple seasoning of salt and pepper can be used, or a dry rub of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies so that every bite is full of flavor.

Place the hens in the air fryer basket, breast side down, and cook for 30-35 minutes. Then, flip the hens and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is crispy and golden brown.

Finally, remove the hens from the air fryer and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Seasoning and flavouring the hens

While cooking Cornish hens in an air fryer, you can use a variety of seasonings and flavourings to give them an irresistible flavour. Here are some ideas and instructions for seasoning and flavouring your hens:

Firstly, it is recommended to pat the hens dry with paper towels before adding any seasonings or flavourings. This will help the oil and seasonings stick to the skin better, resulting in a crispier skin.

For seasoning, you can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or get creative with other spices and herbs. Some popular options include garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, lemon zest, and black pepper. You can also use a pre-made poultry or chicken seasoning blend, which can add lots of flavour and help the skin brown evenly. If you want to add a zesty touch, lemon pepper seasoning or lemon zest can be a great choice. For a classic, peppery flavour, poultry seasoning is a good option. To bring out the chicken's tender, earthy taste, Italian seasoning is an excellent choice.

Fresh herbs can also be used to season your Cornish hens. Basil, thyme, parsley, rosemary, and sage are all wonderful additions that can complement the savouriness of the air-fried hen.

If you're looking for a spicy kick, Cajun seasoning can be a perfect choice. You can also make your own seasoning blend by mixing and matching different spices and herbs to create a unique flavour profile.

When it comes to oil, olive oil is a popular choice, but you can also use melted butter as a decadent and easy substitute.

Remember to tuck the wings of the hens underneath before placing them in the air fryer. This will help keep them in place, prevent them from cooking too quickly, and ensure even cooking.

Frequently asked questions