Air-Frying Scones: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Scones are a popular British treat, often served with clotted cream and jam. But can you bake scones in an air fryer?

The answer is yes! Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens, and they can produce scones with a light and fluffy texture. They are also more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, saving you money on your energy bills.

There are many different recipes for air fryer scones, with a variety of flavours and ingredients. Some recipes include lemonade, cinnamon, or cheese. You can also add raisins, chocolate chips, or other dried fruit to your scones.

The key to achieving the perfect rise in your air fryer scones is to use self-raising flour and not to overwork the dough. It is also important to note that the temperature and cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the settings to get the best results.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make scones, give your air fryer a go!

How to make scones in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Self-raising flour
• Caster sugar
• Butter
• Milk
• Egg
• Cream or milk
• A pinch of salt (optional)
• Extras e.g. dried fruit, chocolate chips, grated cheese

Method

• Combine flour, sugar, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Rub the fat into the flour using your fingertips until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
• Add in any extras, such as grated cheese, dried fruit, or chocolate chips.
• Next, add the egg and enough milk to make a soft dough. Mix with a fork or your hands until you have a crumbly dough.
• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead gently until it forms a ball.
• Roll out the dough to a thickness of at least 1 inch.
• Using a medium-sized cutter, cut out your scones.
• Load the scones into the air fryer basket, brushing the tops with milk or egg wash to promote browning.
• Air fry at 180°C for 7-8 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Allow to cool before serving.

Tips

• It is recommended to line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• For fruit scones, toss the fruit in flour before adding to the dough to prevent extra moisture.
• For cheese scones, omit the sugar and add a handful of grated cheddar cheese to the dough.
• You can freeze uncooked scones. Simply shape the scones and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and thaw slightly before placing in the air fryer.

Ingredients for air fryer scones

There are a variety of ingredients that can be used to make scones in an air fryer. Here is a list of ingredients that can be used, along with some optional extras:

Basic Ingredients

• Self-raising flour
• Caster sugar
• Thickened cream
• Milk (semi-skimmed or whole)
• Baking powder
• Butter (unsalted, cubed, and cold)
• Eggs
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Optional Extras

• Raisins or currants
• Glacé cherries
• Chocolate chips
• Cinnamon
• Grated cheddar cheese
• Wholemeal flour

Recipe

One recipe for air fryer scones is as follows:

• Combine flour, baking powder, and cold cubed butter in a large mixing bowl and rub in with your hands until you get a breadcrumb consistency.
• Mix in the caster sugar.
• Heat the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and the vanilla extract. Leave to stand for 2 minutes, then mix the soured milk into the flour.
• Bring the dough together with your hands. It will be quite sticky and soft.
• Lightly flour your work surface, then shape the scone dough into a round disc (roughly 3cm thick) using your hands. Use a 5cm fluted cookie cutter to stamp out 5 scones. Reform the dough into a disc and repeat until you've used it all.
• Glaze the tops of the scones with milk, then place them in your air fryer basket and air fry for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and well risen.
• Remove the scones from the air fryer basket and cool them on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving.

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.
• You don't need a rolling pin to roll out the dough. Just shape it with your hands into a disc shape.
• Make sure your self-raising flour and baking powder are in date to ensure the scones rise.
• To prevent sticking, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or use a non-stick cooking spray before placing the scones in the air fryer.

Tips for making air fryer scones

Air fryer scones are easy to make and a great way to avoid heating up your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect scones:

Ingredients

• Flour—Use self-raising flour for the best rise. If you only have plain flour, you can add baking powder. However, be careful not to add too much, as this can affect the taste and texture of your scones.
• Butter—Use cold butter and grate it into the flour. This will help to create a light, flaky texture.
• Milk—For the best results, use whole milk or buttermilk. Avoid low-fat milk as this may affect the quality of your scones.
• Sugar—Caster sugar is best for scones, but you can use regular granulated sugar if you are in the US. You can also omit the sugar if you prefer your scones less sweet.
• Extras—You can add a variety of extras to your scones, such as dried fruit, chocolate chips, or cheese. Just be careful not to add too much, as this can affect the rise.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer—Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature for at least 10 minutes. This will ensure your scones start cooking immediately and help them to rise.
• Mixing—When mixing your ingredients, use your hands to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. You can also use a food processor with a pulse function, but be careful not to overwork the dough.
• Dough—The dough will be quite sticky and soft. Shape it into a disc using your hands and cut out your scones. You can use a medium-sized cutter or a 5cm fluted cookie cutter for a more decorative finish.
• Brushing—Brush the tops of your scones with milk or egg wash before air frying. This will give them a golden glow and a shiny finish.
• Air frying—Place your scones in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between them to allow for even cooking. Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 180°C/360°F, then lower the temperature to 160°C/320°F for a further 2-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and well-risen.
• Cooling—Allow your scones to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Serving

Air fryer scones are best served fresh and warm. You can also freeze any leftovers or reheat them in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 160°C/320°F. Serve your scones with traditional clotted cream and strawberry jam, or get creative with toppings such as whipped cream, lemon curd, or maple syrup.

Troubleshooting

If your scones are browning too quickly, lower the temperature or reduce the cooking time. If they are not browning enough, increase the temperature or cook them for a little longer. Every air fryer is different, so you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time to suit your machine.

How to serve air fryer scones

Scones are best served warm, straight out of the air fryer. You can also warm them up in the air fryer if they have cooled down.

Scones are a classic tea-time treat, and are typically served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, with the jam spread on first. However, there are many other ways to serve scones, including:

• Raspberry jam or blackcurrant jam
• Whipped double cream and strawberry coulis or blackcurrant coulis
• Lemon curd and cream
• Blueberries and maple syrup
• Bananas and cream, with a drizzle of caramel
• Dust with icing sugar (powdered sugar) once cooked
• Add raisins or currants for fruit scones
• Add quartered glace cherries for cherry scones
• Add chocolate chips for chocolate chip scones
• Swap the vanilla extract for cinnamon and make cinnamon scones
• Make cheese scones by adding a handful of grated cheddar cheese to the dough
• Use wholewheat flour for a healthier scone

How to store air fryer scones

Air fryer scones are best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the fryer. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to two days at room temperature.

If you want to freeze your scones, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container for an extra layer of protection. Frozen scones can last for up to three months in the freezer.

To reheat your scones, pop them in the air fryer for one to two minutes at 200°C. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F for five to eight minutes or in a toaster oven on low heat for a couple of minutes.

Frequently asked questions