Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones: If you want an easy air fryer breakfast recipe, you will love this cheese scone recipe. With only a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delightful traditional English scone in minutes, perfect for a leisurely breakfast or quick afternoon snack.
Nothing is better for a weakened brunch than a batch of cheese scones. These are a staple in England (UK), where they are served with afternoon tea. They will give you a nice rise in the afternoon, and you will only have a few minutes of prep time.
My favorite air fryer scone recipes are Air Fryer Chocolate Chips Scone and Air Fryer Cranberry Scone; you can not go wrong with a homemade scone.
Why You’ll Love!
- Easy Recipe: This recipe is easy to follow and will give you perfect crumbly scones every time.
- Perfect Snack: Enjoy these homemade cheese scones as an afternoon snack!
- Air Fryer Recipe: Air fryer baking takes half the time and has half the cleanup.
Ingredients Needed
Here are the ingredients you will need to make delicious cheese scones.
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 nutrition information.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the scone dough, providing structure and texture.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent that helps the scones rise and become light and fluffy.
- Kosher salt or Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor of the scones and balances the cheese’s sweetness.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Adds a hint of heat for those who enjoy a bit of spice in their scones.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a tender and flaky texture.
- Grated cheddar cheese: Infuses the scones with a rich, cheesy flavor and adds a delightful savory element.
- Milk: Provides moisture and helps bind the ingredients together to form the dough.
- Egg (optional): Can be used for an egg wash to give the scones a shiny, golden-brown crust.
- Fresh herbs (optional): To add extra flavor and freshness to the scones, they can be mixed into the dough or used as a garnish.
How To Make Cheese Scones In Air Fryer
Making cheese scones in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this savory treat with minimal fuss and a deliciously crispy finish. The recipe card is at the bottom of the post.
Prepare the Scone Dough: Combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl or food processor. Add the cubed cold unsalted butter to the flour mixture. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingers or a pastry blender until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Mix in the grated cheese. Gradually add the milk to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Do not overwork the dough. (add milk in small amounts for best results until the dough forms).
Shape Cheese Scones: Lightly flour a work surface and gently knead to combine the dough. Roll out the dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Cut the scones into your desired size and shape using a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, or sharp knife. You can roll the dough into a disc shape and use a rolling pin to get an even thickness.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (about 175°C) for a few minutes. If your air fryer requires preheating, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Prepare for Air Frying: Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil or use a silicone liner to prevent sticking. Arrange the scones in the basket, leaving space between each for air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Brush and Top: Lightly brush the tops of the scones with extra milk, heavy cream, or a beaten egg for a golden finish. Sprinkle some additional grated cheese on top of each scone.
Set Cook Time: Air-fry cheese scones at 350°F (175°C) for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are risen and golden brown. The cooking time might vary depending on the air fryer model and the size of the scones.
Serve Warm: Let the cooked scones cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite spread.
Air Fryer Cheese Scones Recipe Variations
- Different Cheeses: Use blue cheese or parmesan and mozzarella.
- Fresh Herbs: For an aromatic touch, incorporate chopped herbs such as chives, parsley, or thyme into the dough. Garlic Powder and mustard powder are great additions to the grated cheddar cheese.
- Bacon or Ham: For a savory, meaty element, add cooked and crumbled bacon or diced ham to the dough. These are particularly good for a hearty breakfast or brunch scone.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Olives: Mix in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and olives for a Mediterranean flair. Pair these with feta cheese and oregano for a Greek-inspired version.
- Jalapeños and Corn: For a Southwestern twist, add diced jalapeños and a handful of corn (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen) to the mix. For an extra kick, complement these with pepper jack cheese, mustard powder, and garlic powder.
- Oven Method: Place the prepared scones on a baking sheet lined with baking paper and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.
Air Fryer Cheese Scones Recipe Tips
- Keep dairy cold: Butter and milk should be cold when folding. This is crucial for achieving flaky and tender scones. When it melts in the air fryer, the cold fat creates steam pockets, contributing to the scones’ light and airy texture.
- Mix Gently: It’s crucial to not over-work the dough. Stir just until the ingredients are combined and the dough forms or you could end up with hard scones. It’s okay if the dough is a bit crumbly; this will ensure your scones are light. Add extra flour if the dough is still sticky or a little milk if you have overly dry dough.
- Even Dough: When forming the dough balls make sure they are even in size. This promotes and even cook time and a uniform look.
- Overcrowding: A single layer is best, with no stacking to ensure an even and full cook. You may have to cook in batches if you’re doubling the recipe.
- Prevent Sticking: Line the basket of the air fryer with a silicone liner, parchment paper, or lightly coat with oil to prevent sticking.
Air Fryer Cheese Scones Recipe Faqs
Do I need to adjust the cooking time if I add more ingredients? Adding extra ingredients, especially those with high moisture content, may slightly extend the cooking time. Keep an eye on your scones and check for doneness by checking for golden brown and firmness to the touch.
How do I store leftover cheese scones? Cool the scones entirely before storing them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerated for up to a week and frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness before serving.
How do I know when my scones are done? Scones are done when they have a golden brown color and a firm exterior. When inserting a toothpick into the center, it should come out clean or with a few crumbs. The cooking time might need adjustment based on the size and thickness of your scones.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? You can prepare the dough, shape it into scones, and refrigerate it overnight. Then, directly air fry them from the fridge, adding a minute or two to the cooking time.
Can I make mini scones instead? Certainly! Adjust the cooking time downward for smaller scones since they will cook faster. Baking time will be reduced by a few minutes earlier than the recipe suggests for full-sized scones.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- BANQUET POT PIE IN AIR FRYER
- AIR FRYER BUFFALO CHICKEN WONTONS
- HOW TO REHEAT BREAD IN AIR FRYER
- AIR FRYER BREAKFAST EGG TARTS
- THAWED CHICKEN WINGS IN AN AIR FRYER
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Air Fryer Cheese Scones
Description
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, for a bit of heat
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese, plus extra for topping
- 2/3 cup milk, plus a little extra for brushing
- 1 large egg, optional, for an egg wash
- Fresh herbs, optional, for mixing into the dough or garnishing
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using your fingers or a pastry blender, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add the milk to the mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently a few times to bring it together.
- Roll out the dough to about 3/4 inch thick. Using a round cutter or a knife, cut out scones into your desired size and shape.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (about 175°C) for a few minutes. If your air fryer requires preheating, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil or use parchment paper cut to size to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the scones in the basket, leaving some space between each for air circulation. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Lightly brush the tops of the scones with milk or a beaten egg for a golden finish.
- Sprinkle some additional grated cheese on top of each scone.
- Air fry the scones at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are risen and golden brown. The cooking time might vary based on the air fryer model and the size of your scones.
- Let the scones cool for a few minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed warm, with butter, cream cheese, or your favorite spread.
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket or Air Fyrer Oven Model
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Cooking Spray, or oil spray
Nutrition
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Vicki J.
I made 1/4 of the recipe, to make just 2 scones. I patted the dough into a rectangle and then cut it diagonally. Sprayed the top with Pam and then flipped them onto my air fryer shelf (I have an oven air fryer). Baked for 15 minutes. Ran into a problem getting them out, as they expanded thru the grates of my shelf and were stuck. So I flipped the shelf over and pushed on each part that was stuck to release them. Next time I will either bake on the bottom shelf which is solid OR put them on a piece of foil/parchment paper or a baking pan. I ate one fresh out of the air fryer with a salad I had picked from my aerogarden. Mmmmmm, it was delicious! This recipe is a keeper and I will definitely be making these again and again. Thanks so much for the great recipe!
Vicki J.
I can’t find your note about using parchment paper.