Air Fryer Cranberry Scones — I’m excited to share this recipe for Air Fryer Cranberry Scones with you. This is a super easy recipe that will have your house smelling like the holidays in no time. These scones are perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, and you can easily make them gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free!
I love scones; I do. When I first got married, I lived near a bakery in Vermont, and I would bring the kids there once a month for a special treat. I do not know who the treat was for, me or them. It was the perfect afternoon coffee break for me. I would always get a scone with a cup of hot coffee. They had excellent coffee. Nothing is better than Air Fryer Cranberry Scones.
I am not a baker, which surprises most people, but I never could figure out how to bake in the oven. But when I got an air fryer, it seemed less intimidating, so I tried scones. I bought a pan off Amazon and cut it. It was not the most scientific thing, I remind you, but it was silicone, and I knew I could cut it to fit my air fryer.
What Are Scones?
If you are unfamiliar with scones, they are light and airy pastries. Everyone thinks they are dry, but that is untrue unless you over-air fry them. They are a great breakfast treat, especially with the dried or fresh cranberries tossed in.
They make a great holiday breakfast, especially during the fall when you can find fresh cranberries. If you can not find fresh cranberries, swap them out for dried cranberries.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Cranberry Scones
Creating cranberry scones in your air fryer combines the comfort of homemade baking with the convenience of modern technology. This delightful recipe requires a few simple ingredients, each bringing its unique flavor and texture to create a tender, fruit-filled treat perfect for any time of day.
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure and is the foundation of your scones. It’s versatile and ensures a light, fluffy texture.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the cranberries. It also helps with browning and creates a tender crumb.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes the scones rise and become fluffy. Ensure it’s fresh for the best results.
- Ground Nutmeg: For added flavor.
- Salt: A small amount enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, making the scones taste more complex.
- Unsalted Butter: Cold, unsalted butter is cut into the dry ingredients, creating little pockets of fat that steam during baking, leading to flaky layers.
- Fresh or Dried Cranberries: Cranberries are the star of the show. They add a lovely tartness, burst of flavor, and beautiful pop of color.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the cranberries. It also helps with browning and creates a tender crumb.
- Orange Zest: For added flavor.
- Half and Half Cream: Adds richness and moisture, contributing to the tender texture of the scones. It also helps with the browning of the crust.
- Egg: Works as a binding agent, ensuring your scones hold together nicely. It also contributes to their richness.
How To Make Air Fryer Cranberry Scones
Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl. Then mix in the butter, cream, and egg, and continue to make a dough.
Then mix in the cranberries, sugar, and orange zest. Mix lightly. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and knead on a floured surface until the dough is nice and stretchy. Shape into circles (about 6 inches), then cut that circle into wedges to resemble scones. Then, place the scones, as you make them, into the air fryer basket. Set the temperature of your air fryer at 365 degrees F. And set the time for 10 minutes. About 1/2 way done, check the scones for doneness, as the exact time will depend on your air fryer.
Pro Tips
Scones are one of my favorite breakfast pastries. They are relatively easy to make, and they taste delicious! If you have never made scones before, here are some tips for a great batch of Air Fryer Cranberry Scones:
- Butter: Use cold butter, which will add flavor to your scones. As the scones bake, the butter will melt right into your scones. You can grate frozen butter into the dough for even better texture and taste.
- Cream: Keep the cream or half-and-half cold for great flavor and texture.
- Don’t Over Mix: For a smooth and moist scone, do not overmix. Overmixing the dough will create too much gluten, which results in a tough scone.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour for the best results. Suppose you want to make this gluten-free, substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Air Fryer: Since every air fryer is slightly different, check on your scones frequently as they cook. Once they are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer. The cooking time will vary.
- Air Fryer Oven: If baking these in the air fryer, place the scone pan on the lowest air fryer shelf.
Storing
Scones are delicious warm from the air fryer or oven, but you can also enjoy them at room temperature. There are several ways to store them, so you can have a tasty treat whenever you want!
Scones can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days, wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, and placed in a freezer bag for one month. If you plan on storing them longer than two days, it is recommended that you put them in the refrigerator. To reheat leftover scones, preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and reheat for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed.
Serving Suggestions
Scones are a staple of British cuisine; you can serve them with many different accompaniments. You may serve scones for breakfast, lunch, or dinner with some research! Here is our guide to what to serve scones with:
- Clotted cream and jam – this classic combination is perfect for tea time. It’s the British version of the dessert.
- Cottage cheese and chives—Cottage cheese (or farmer’s cheese if you’re feeling fancy) pairs well with any savory dish, including scones. The chives give it more flavor than salt and pepper would by themselves.
- Butter: A classy way to serve a cranberry scone.
What Scone Pans Can I Use In the Air Fryer?
Whether you want to make scones, popovers, or even a cake, air fryers can be used as an alternative for baking. If you don’t have the right equipment at home, it might not work out as well as expected. What scone pans can you use in an air fryer?
These are two of my favorites. The Nordic Ware will work in any Air Fryer Basket and the Air Fryer Oven.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- AIR FRYER BOSTON BROWN BREAD
- AIR FRYER HOMEMADE PIZZA ROLLS
- EASY AIR FRYER LATKES
- AIR FRYER FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
- AIR FRYER TWICE BAKED SWEET POTATOES
- EASY AIR FRYER PERUVIAN LOMO SALTADO
Air Fryer Cranberry Scones
Description
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup butter, chilled and diced
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a larger mixing bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Combine well.
- Then mix in the butter, cream, and egg, keep on making until a dough forms. Then mix in the cranberries and sugar, as well as the orange zest. Mix lightly.
- Remove the dough from the mixing bowl, and knead, on a floured surface, until the dough is nice and stretchy.
- Shape into circles (about 6 inches), then cut that circle into wedges, to resemble scones.
- Then place the scones, as you make them, into the air fryer basket.
- Set the temperature of your air fryer at 365 degrees F. And set the time for 10 minutes. About 1/2 way done, check the scones for doneness, as the exact time will depend on your air fryer.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Scone Pan
- Cooking Spray
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
Don’t Forget To Pin:
Josephine B
Hi Laurie, I’m baaaack! Tried your “Cheese Scones” tonight and they were delicious. Now I’d like to try your “Cranberry Scones”, but being in Australia we don’t have fresh cranberries, so could I replace the fresh for dried cranberries? Thank you.
Sally
I have fresh cranberries that I have frozen. Would those work in this recipe?
Patricia Walls
Do you think you could use the little silicone donut cups instead of the silicone pan you used? If how long would you air fry them? Thank you!
Laurie
Absolutley!