Air fryer pheasant perfectly cooked every time! This tasty game bird turns out so moist, and juicy with wonderfully crispy skin. Served with your favorite side dishes this is an easy roasted pheasant dinner that everyone will love!

Pheasant is so flavorful and juicy when cooked right, try my other pheasant recipe, cooked in slow cooker. Very easy and absolutely delicious!

If you haven't tried pheasant before this is the recipe to try! Pheasant is a game bird that tastes similar to chicken but it has a bolder and slightly gamey flavor. This small bird is very lean and full of amazing flavor when roasted with your favorite seasonings, potatoes, or veggies.

You'll love how hand-off this air-fried pheasant recipe is. All you need is 5 minutes of prep work, and the air fryer does the rest!

How to make air fryer pheasant

I got a fully frozen bird so I needed to defrost it. Left it sit overnight in the fridge for about 12 hours and it thawed completely. If you don’t have time for it, just leave the bird on the kitchen counter for three-four hours, depending on its size.
Rinse pheasant with cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.

Rub the bird with olive oil and set aside. Prepare the rub. You can use your favorite chicken seasoning for this dish or use mine.

In this air fryer pheasant rub recipe I used paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Mix it well in the small bowl.

Rub all seasonings evenly all over the bird. Add some inside the cavity as well. If you like citrus flavors in poultry, add one half of a lemon inside the cavity as well.

Place pheasant in the air fryer basket breast side down and cook it like this for half of the directed in the recipe card time. Then flip the bird and cook with the breast side up. It will brown beautifully and the skin will get crispy.

Recipe ingredients

A whole pheasant. This small game bird usually weighs 2 - 3 lbs.

Italian seasoning. A simple and delicious seasoning blend made of dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

Olive oil. Used to achieve extra crispy skin and helps the pheasant from becoming dry in the air fryer.

Garlic powder. Adds a subtle garlic flavor.

Ground paprika. Gives a nice red color and a slightly smoky flavor to the meat.

Salt and pepper. To taste for seasoning.

Why use air fryer

A common problem many people face when preparing pheasant is that it can be hard to cook and keep juicy. I find that it's actually very easy to cook, and because the taste and texture of pheasant is so similar to chicken, it can be prepared in some of the same ways.

I love using my air fryer to cook pheasant because it's super quick and easy to prepare and the meat doesn't dry out.

The circulating hot air of the air fryer helps to seal in the juices while producing crispy skin with a lovely golden color.

How to avoid dry meat

Here are a few of my favorite tips for preparing this tasty bird, so that you'll have perfectly juicy meat every time!

Don't cook the meat from frozen. Often times meat can taste tougher and lack juiciness when it has been cooked from frozen. Thaw the pheasant until it's no longer icy either overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cold water. This will give you the best taste and texture.

Brine your meat. You don't have to do this but if you are planning on air frying your pheasant the next day, add the bird to a saltwater brine to sit overnight in the refrigerator. This way your roasted pheasant will taste even juicier after cooking.

Allow the meat to rest before serving. Wait 5 - 10 minutes after the pheasant is done before you cut into it. This will allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat and not rush out resulting in a juicer piece of pheasant.

Substitutions

Pheasant. If you can't find a whole pheasant replace it with a whole quail, cornish game hen, or a small chicken. You might need to add a few minutes to the cooking time if you are using a larger hen.

Olive oil. Use butter instead of oil.

Variations

Stuff the inside of the pheasant with stuffing, fresh herbs, whole garlic cloves, or lemon slices for even more flavor.

Roast the pheasant with potatoes or your favorite veggies to make a complete meal.

Frequently asked questions

Expert tips

• Pat Dry: Before placing the pheasant in the air fryer, ensure you pat it dry. This helps achieve crispy skin during the frying process.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Just like with traditional ovens, preheating the air fryer can result in more consistent cooking. Not all models have a preheat setting, but running it empty for a few minutes can achieve the same effect.
• Let it Rest: Once cooked, let the pheasant rest for a few minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist result.
• Consider Jointing: If you have a whole pheasant, you might want to joint it into pieces for more even cooking. This also allows for easier rotation and flipping during the cooking process.

Side dishes

Air fryer pheasant is a rich and flavorful game bird. When considering side dishes to accompany it, you'll want to think of options that complement the bird's unique taste and don't overshadow it. Here are some suggestions:

• Root Vegetables: Roasted or mashed root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips, or beets are great options. Their earthy flavors go well with game.
• Wild Rice or Quinoa: These grains have a nutty flavor that pairs well with pheasant. You can add some dried fruits like cranberries or cherries for added flavor.
• Brussels Sprouts: Roasted with a bit of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, these can be a delightful side.
• Creamy Polenta: This smooth dish can be a comforting accompaniment to roasted pheasant, particularly in cooler weather.
• Cabbage: Braised red cabbage with a touch of balsamic vinegar and apples offers a tangy contrast to the rich flavor of pheasant.
• Green Beans: Sautéed with almonds or simply steamed, green beans are a light and fresh complement.
• Bread Stuffing: A classic side, especially if you're serving pheasant for a special occasion or holiday.

Leftovers

Store air fryer pheasant leftovers in the fridge just like you would store chicken leftovers. It will last up to 6 days in the air tight container in the fridge.

Freezer. You can also freeze cooked pheasant. It will last up to 4 months in the freezer if stored properly. Use a freezer safe container or zip lock bag.

Reheat. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer (frozen pheasant should be thawed first).

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Hope you will like this air fryer pheasant recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.