Air Fryer Cheese Scones 🧀
These delicious Air Fryer Cheese Scones are light, fluffy, cheesy, and wonderfully savory. They make a quick breakfast, afternoon snack, or a tasty accompaniment to soup and salad. The recipe makes about 4 scones and takes only around 11 minutes to air fry.
Ingredients
150 g (1¼ cups) self-raising flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
40 g (3 tablespoons) butter, cut into small pieces
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
¼ teaspoon mustard powder
50 g cheddar cheese, finely grated
20 g cheddar cheese, coarsely grated, for topping
80 ml (â…“ cup) milk, plus a little extra for brushing
Equipment
Air fryer with temperature control
Medium mixing bowl
Measuring spoons and scales
Measuring jug
6 cm (2½-inch) round pastry cutter
Baking parchment
Pastry brush
Cooling rack
Instructions
Prepare the dry ingredients: Add the self-raising flour, baking powder, cayenne pepper, and mustard powder to a mixing bowl.
Add the butter: Rub the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Add the cheese: Mix in the 50 g of finely grated cheddar.
Make the dough: Gradually add the milk, mixing gently with a blunt knife until a soft dough forms. You may not need every drop of milk.
Shape the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and gently pat the dough into a round about 2 cm thick. Avoid overworking the dough.
Cut the scones: Use a 6 cm cutter to cut out approximately four scones. Press the cutter straight down rather than twisting it.
Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer if your model requires preheating. Once preheated, place baking parchment in the basket and arrange the scones with some space between them.
Add the topping: Brush the tops lightly with milk and sprinkle over the remaining grated cheddar.
Air fry: Cook at 185°C (365°F) for approximately 11 minutes, or until risen and golden.
Cool and serve: Carefully remove the scones and place them on a cooling rack. Serve warm with butter.
Tips for Perfect Cheese Scones
Don’t overmix the dough, as this can make the scones tough.
Add the milk gradually because different flours absorb different amounts of liquid.
For better rising, press the cutter straight down without twisting.
Use a flavorful mature or medium cheddar for a stronger cheese taste.
For a milder version, simply leave out the cayenne pepper.
Air fryers vary, so check the scones toward the end of cooking and adjust the time slightly if necessary.
Important Air Fryer Safety Tip
Never put loose baking parchment into the air fryer during preheating. The circulating air can lift the paper toward the heating element. Add the parchment only after preheating and place the scones on top so they hold it securely.
How to Serve
These cheese scones are delicious:
Warm with butter
Alongside soup or salad
As an alternative to bread
Filled with sandwich ingredients
With cream cheese and smoked salmon
With scrambled eggs for breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these without cayenne pepper?
Yes. Cayenne is optional and mainly adds a little heat. You can omit it for a milder cheese scone.
What cheese is best for cheese scones?
A firm cheddar works particularly well. Mature cheddar gives the scones a stronger, richer cheese flavor.
Can I use regular all-purpose flour?
Yes. If you don’t have self-raising flour, you can make a substitute by adding baking powder to plain/all-purpose flour. The original recipe notes that 150 g of plain flour can be combined with 1½ teaspoons of baking powder to replace the self-raising flour, while still keeping the additional baking powder in the recipe.
Can I substitute the mustard powder?
Yes. You can use freshly ground mustard seeds or a small amount of prepared mustard. If using prepared mustard, mix it into the milk so it distributes evenly.
Can I use a butter substitute?
A full-fat baking spread can be used. Low-fat spreads or very watery spreads are less suitable because their higher water content can affect the texture.
What type of milk should I use?
Whole milk or semi-skimmed milk works well, but other milk varieties can also be used.
Can I make the scone mixture ahead?
Yes. The dry mixture can be prepared ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container. For the best eating quality, freshly baked scones are recommended.
Can I freeze cheese scones?
Yes. Allow baked scones to cool completely before freezing them in a suitable freezer container or bag. They can be kept frozen for up to about 3 months.
Can I make more than four scones?
Yes. You can use a smaller cutter to make more. For a large batch, baking in a conventional oven may be more practical.
Why are my cheese scones hard?
Overmixing the dough is one common cause. Handle the dough gently and stop mixing as soon as it comes together.
Why didn’t my scones rise?
Make sure your raising agents are fresh, don’t overwork the dough, and avoid twisting the cutter when cutting the scones.
Nutrition
Approximately 292 calories per scone, based on the nutrition information provided with the original recipe. Nutrition values can vary depending on the exact ingredients and brands used.
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: About 10 minutes
Cook: 11 minutes
Temperature: 185°C / 365°F
Yield: 4 scones
Course: Breakfast / Snack
Cuisine: British-inspired
Diet: Vegetarian
Enjoy these warm, golden, cheesy scones straight from the air fryer! 🧀✨
Hashtags
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