Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones

In just 16 minutes, you can indulge in the golden perfection of these Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones, a delightful addition to your baking repertoire. With a prep time of only 8 minutes and a cook time of 8 minutes, this British-inspired recipe yields 5 savory scones that are perfect for a quick and tasty treat. The secret to their flaky texture lies in the use of cold, cubed butter straight from the fridge, ensuring a perfect balance of richness and lightness. The incorporation of extra mature Cheddar cheese provides a bold and savory kick, making each bite a flavorful experience.

The preparation is straightforward and user-friendly. Mixing the dry ingredients, rubbing in the chilled butter, and stirring in the cheese are simple steps that lead to a satisfying dough. The addition of soured milk, achieved by heating whole milk and adding a touch of fresh lemon juice, contributes to the scones’ moist and tender crumb. Shaping the dough is a tactile process, allowing you to form a disc without the need for a rolling pin.

Expert tips provided in the recipe guide you through the nuances of achieving the perfect scone. From handling the dough with cool hands to using a food processor for those who prefer a modern twist, these tips cater to both traditional and convenient baking methods. The variations offered, including experimenting with different cheeses or adding a pinch of chili powder for heat, encourage creativity in the kitchen.

The storage options, whether enjoying the scones fresh, reheating for later, or freezing for an extended shelf life, make this recipe not only delicious but also versatile. The nutrition facts provided allow for mindful indulgence, making it easier to incorporate these air-fried cheese scones into your daily treats. Whether you savor them fresh out of the air fryer or reheat them for a quick snack, these cheese scones are bound to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones

Easy air fryer cheese scones, baked to golden perfection in just eight minutes!

CourseBaking

CuisineBritish

Keywordair fryer cheese scones, air fryer savoury scones, cheese scones in air fryer

Prep Time8minutes minutes

Cook Time8minutes minutes

Total Time16minutes minutes

Servings5

Calories329kcal

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Equipment
Kitchen Scales
Measuring Spoons
Mixing Bowl
5cm Cookie Cutter
Air Fryer
Pastry Brush

Ingredients

175 g Self Raising Flour
¼ teaspoon Salt
⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
¼ teaspoon Mustard Powder
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
55 g Unsalted Butter chilled and cubed
120 g Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese grated
85 ml Whole Milk
¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice fresh
Other ingredients
2 tablespoon Plain Flour for dusting
2 tablespoon Milk for glazing

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 200C (400F).
Place the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl and give them a mix.175 g Self
Raising Flour,¼ teaspoon Salt,⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper,¼ teaspoon Mustard
Powder,½ teaspoon Baking Powder
Add the chilled cubed butter to the mixing bowl and rub it in with your hands until you get fine breadcrumbs form.55 g Unsalted Butter
Stir in the grated cheese (reserving a few heaped tablespoons for the tops).120 g Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
Heat the milk in the microwave for 20 seconds, squeeze in a little lemon juice (about ¼ teaspoon) and leave it to stand for 2-3 minutes. Pour the soured milk into the mixing bowl and use a metal dinner knife to stir it in.85 ml Whole Milk,¼ teaspoon Lemon Juice
Once the scone dough has started to come together, use your hands to bring it together into a ball.
Lightly flour your work surface then knead the scone dough for a few seconds to cover it in flour. Shape the dough into a disc about 3 cm thick with your hands then stamp out 5 scones with a 5cm cookie cutter. You’ll need to keep reforming the dough into a disc with your hands until you have used it all up.2 tablespoon Plain Flour
Using a pastry brush, glaze the tops of the scones with milk then sprinkle over the reserved grated cheese.2 tablespoon Milk,120 g Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese
Place the scones in your air fryer basket and air fry for 8 minutes until risen and golden brown.

Notes

Expert Tips:

Always use cold cubed butter straight from the fridge. If you try to rub in soft warm butter you will be left with a sticky mess. Cold butter helps to keep the dough cool and gives the scones the perfect flakey texture once baked.
You don’t need a rolling pin to roll out the dough. Just shape it with your hands into a disc shape.
When shaping the dough, try to handle it as little as possible and keep your hands cool. Warm hands can melt the butter in the dough and lead to a tough texture.
Make sure your self-raising flour and baking powder are in date to ensure the scones rise.
If you prefer, you can make the scone dough in your food processor instead, using the pulse function. Be careful not to overwork the dough though!
Variations:

Use different cheeses. Swap the grated cheddar cheese for crumbly blue cheese, gruyere, or Parmesan. You could also add some chopped walnuts for crunch!
Add a pinch of garlic powder for more flavour, dried herbs like thyme or even freshly chopped herbs like oregano or rosemary.
Love a bit of heat. Add a pinch of chilli powder to the scone dough.
Stir some cooked bacon pieces into the dough for a smoky savoury flavour.
Storage:

Store – air fryer cheese scones can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Let them cool completely before storing them.

Reheat – to reheat cheese scones, place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to heat through, or use an oven or microwave.

Freeze – place the cooled cheese scones in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition:

The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones

Amount per Serving

Calories

329

% Daily Value*

Fat

Saturated Fat

Trans Fat

0.4

Polyunsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated Fat

Cholesterol

Sodium

327

Potassium

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Sugar

Protein

Vitamin A

575

Vitamin C

0.1

Calcium

231

Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based ona 2000 calorie diet.