New Year’s Day calls for a slow morning, a hot cup of coffee and something warm from the air fryer. These 10 air fryer scones are my favorite way to start the year.
Scones are the perfect New Year’s brunch bake. They come together in one bowl, they use up the cranberries, apples and cheese left over from the holidays, and the air fryer has them ready in about 15 minutes without heating up the whole kitchen.
Whether you’re hosting brunch or just recovering from a late night, there’s a scone here for you: sweet, savory, bright and citrusy, or classic.
Use Up the Holiday Leftovers
1. Air Fryer Cranberry Scones
Got a bag of cranberries left from Christmas? These scones pair them with orange zest and a hint of nutmeg. Shape the dough into a 6-inch circle, cut it into wedges and air fry at 365°F. They make the whole house smell like the holidays one more time.
2. Air Fryer Gingerbread Scones
Molasses, ginger and cinnamon give these scones all the flavor of a gingerbread cookie in a tender breakfast bake. A sprinkle of sparkling sugar on top makes them look as festive as they taste. They cook at 330°F for 12 to 16 minutes.
3. Air Fryer Apple Pie Scones
All the cozy flavor of apple pie, in a scone you can eat with your hands. They bake up golden outside and moist inside in 12 to 15 minutes at 350°F. Perfect with that first cup of coffee of the year.
Savory Scones for Brunch
4. Air Fryer Cheddar Bacon Scones with Apple
Sharp cheddar, crisp bacon and sweet diced apple in every bite. These are ready in about 35 minutes and air fry at 320°F for 12 to 15 minutes. They also reheat beautifully, so make a double batch for January 2.
5. Air Fryer Cheese Scones
A traditional English cheese scone, made in roughly half the time of the oven. One bowl, about 30 minutes start to finish, and 8 golden scones. Serve them warm with butter or cream cheese next to your eggs.
Bright Scones for a Fresh Start
6. Air Fryer Lemon Scones
Light, fluffy and full of bright lemon flavor, these are a sunny way to kick off January. Brush the tops with melted butter, add a sprinkle of sparkling sugar and air fry at 330°F for 12 to 16 minutes.
7. Air Fryer Blueberry Scones
Juicy blueberries in a soft scone with a simple vanilla glaze. For extra brightness, try the lemon glaze variation in the recipe: add lemon zest and juice to the dough, then drizzle with a powdered sugar and lemon glaze.
Classic and Bakery-Style Scones
8. Copycat Panera Blueberry Scones
Skip the bakery line on New Year’s morning. This copycat recreates Panera’s buttery, tender blueberry scones with a sweet vanilla icing in about 35 minutes, for a fraction of the price. Baked, unglazed scones freeze for up to 3 months.
9. Air Fryer Cinnamon Raisin Scones
Warm cinnamon and sweet raisins in a flaky scone that’s ready in under 20 minutes. Score the dough into wedges, air fry at 350°F, then finish with a drizzle of glaze.
10. Air Fryer Currant Scones
A traditional tea-time scone made with self-rising flour, cream and dried currants. Sprinkle the tops with sugar and air fry at 330°F until cooked through. Simple, classic and lovely with jam.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Scones
- Keep the butter cold. Cold butter cut into small pieces creates the flaky layers you want.
- Don’t overmix. Gently fold in the wet ingredients just until the dough comes together. Overmixing makes dense scones.
- Keep them the same size. A biscuit cutter or cookie scoop helps every scone cook evenly.
- Give them space. Arrange scones in a single layer with room for air to flow, and cook in batches if needed.
- Check early. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so check your scones halfway through.
How to Reheat Leftover Scones
If you have any left on January 2, reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t crowd the basket, and add a minute or two if they’re straight from the fridge.
Start the New Year Warm
Pick a sweet one, a savory one, or bake a few and set out a scone board for your New Year’s brunch. Which one are you making first? Let me know in the comments, and Happy New Year!
