Air Fryer Scones: A Quick, Crispy Treat?

The air fryer is a great way to bake delicious homemade scones. They turn out so good that you will be tempted to go back for seconds. You can make a variety of scones in an air fryer, including fruit scones, cherry scones, chocolate chip scones, cinnamon scones, and cheese scones. The air fryer can be used to make scones for afternoon tea, which can be served with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

Air fryer scones with cheddar cheese and chives

Yes, you can cook scones in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for delicious, savoury Air Fryer Scones with Cheddar Cheese and Chives.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of self-raising flour (or plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder)
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder (if using plain flour)
• A generous pinch of cayenne pepper
• A generous pinch of sea salt
• 100g of butter
• 100g of mature Cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
• A handful of fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup of milk

Method:

• Prepare your air fryer by rubbing a little olive oil on the air fryer shelf. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 2 minutes.
• In a large bowl, sift the flour and baking powder. Add the cayenne pepper and sea salt, and mix well.
• Cube the butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until you have a crumbly texture.
• Grate the Cheddar cheese and chop the chives. Add them to the flour mixture and combine.
• Create a well in the centre of the mixture. Pour in the milk and bring it together to form a soft, dry dough. You may need to add a tiny extra splash of milk. Use your hands to mix, but be careful not to overmix the dough.
• On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 2 cm. Use a 5-6 cm round scone cutter to cut out as many pieces as possible. Gather the remaining dough, roll it out again, and cut out more pieces.
• Place a piece of baking paper into the bottom of the air fryer basket. Arrange the scones on the paper, leaving a little space between them. You may need to cook in batches.
• Cook the scones for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
• Serve warm with a dollop of cream cheese, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper. They also taste great with a salad or soup.

Tips:

• If using plain flour, be sure to add the baking powder. It is important for the structure and rise of the scones.
• Avoid overmixing the dough, as it can lead to tough and chewy scones.
• You can reheat any leftover scones in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to prevent scones from sticking to the air fryer basket

To prevent scones from sticking to the air fryer basket, it is recommended to line the basket with parchment paper or use a non-stick cooking spray before placing the scones in the air fryer. You can also use a small amount of oil or vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking.

Some paper is not suitable for high temperatures, so it is important to use baking paper. Greaseproof paper, for example, is not suitable for higher temperatures. If using paper, ensure that it cannot move about with the airflow. Only use a small amount, just enough to go under the scones. If possible, use a rack to allow air to flow under the scones, rather than a pan.

If you are using a rack, cut small rectangles of paper to hold the scones. The paper should be big enough for the scones but not so big that it blocks the heat of the air fryer. Leave the paper on the rack once you have cut the scones, and use some more paper to place the rest of the batch on.

Another method to prevent sticking is to fold a long sheet of aluminum foil so that it is 4 inches wide. Lay the sheet of foil horizontally across the basket, pressing the foil up and into the sides of the basket. Fold the excess foil as needed so that the edges of the foil are flush with the top of the basket.

How to reheat scones

Reheating scones in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to restore their freshness and enhance their flavor. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat scones:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to a moderate temperature, typically around 300°F (150°C). A higher temperature might dry out the scones or brown them too quickly.
• Prepare the scones: If your scones are chilled, take them out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature. If you have many scones, consider reheating them in batches to ensure even heating.
• Line the air fryer basket: It is recommended to line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is especially helpful if your scones have sticky elements like glaze, as it will make it easier to remove them after reheating.
• Arrange the scones: Place the scones in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Make sure they are not touching or overlapping to ensure even reheating.
• Reheat: Heat the scones for 3-5 minutes. Monitor the process closely, as air fryers can vary in their heating capabilities. The scones are ready when they are warm and have a crispy exterior while remaining soft and moist on the inside.
• Cool and serve: After reheating, let the scones cool down for a few minutes. This allows the heat to distribute evenly, ensuring that the inside is also warmed. Serve the scones with your favorite toppings, such as clotted cream, melted butter, or jam.

It is important to note that reheating scones in an air fryer may result in a softer or slightly chewy texture compared to other reheating methods. Additionally, if your scones have glaze, icing, or toppings, consider removing them before reheating and re-applying afterward to maintain their integrity.

How to make sweet scones

Yes, you can cook scones in an air fryer! Here is a recipe for sweet scones, adapted for an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• Milk
• Plain/all-purpose flour
• Butter
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Salt

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer using the bake function set to 180C or 356F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir well.
• Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
• Add sugar and toss to mix.
• Create a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the butter. Using your fingers, work the butter into the flour until a crumbly mixture forms.
• Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Avoid overmixing the dough, as it may become tough and chewy.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
• Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1-2 inches.
• Use a cookie cutter, scone cutter, or the top of a drinking glass to cut out scones. Place them on a piece of baking paper inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are close but not touching.
• Brush the tops of the scones with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
• Bake for 9-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
• Serve warm with butter, clotted cream, jam, or your favorite toppings.

Enjoy your freshly baked air-fried scones!

How to make gluten-free scones

Yes, you can cook scones in an air fryer! Here is a gluten-free recipe you can try:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, diced and really cold
• 3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (with 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum, if needed)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or dairy-free alternative)
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 cup of milk

Method:

• Cut the butter into cubes and place in the freezer to chill for 10 minutes.
• Make your own buttermilk by mixing 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into 1 cup of milk. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes in the refrigerator.
• In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
• Grate the frozen butter and mix it into the dry ingredients using a fork. Keep cutting the butter into the flour until it resembles small peas.
• Whisk the eggs into the buttermilk and add the mixture to the flour and butter mixture.
• Stir until a soft dough starts to form. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the scones hard.
• Wrap the dough and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes, then freeze for at least 15 minutes before baking.
• Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.
• Lightly mould the dough into a rectangle or a round that is about 7" in diameter and 2" thick.
• Cut the dough into 8 triangles.
• Brush the tops of the dough with milk.
• Place the scones on a piece of baking paper in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. You may need to cook in batches.
• Cook for 9-15 minutes, or until the scones are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
• Serve warm with butter, or add a glaze on top.

You can customise your scones by adding mix-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or cheese. You can also make them sweet or savoury by adding a glaze, lemon juice, or sparkling sugar on top. Enjoy!

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