Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together to make a loose paste.
Using gloved hands, rub paste all over the outside of both hens.
Place hens, breast side up, into the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 F for 25 minutes.
Using tongs, turn hens over and air fry for an additional 20 minutes.
Notes
Cornish hens typically come in a two-pack weighing around 1-2 pounds each. We used two pounds of Cornish hens weighing 1 pound each. You will want your hens to be thawed before beginning. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or until no longer frozen. To help them thaw a little quicker you can add them (in their packaging) to a bowl of cold water, switching the water out as needed to keep it cold.
It’s okay if the hens touch a little in the air fryer basket but if they are too large don’t cram them in together. Air fry them separately instead and they will need space for the air to flow around them.
Cornish hens are cooked through when they reach 165F on an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat, typically in the thigh.
Store leftover cornish hen in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer using the reheat function. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.