Emilie Meyer
Air fryers have become increasingly popular for their convenience and ability to create 'fried' foods with less fat. They are also more energy-efficient than conventional ovens, making them ideal for baking in the warmer months. With their intense heat and circulating hot air, air fryers can bake scones evenly and quickly, resulting in light and fluffy treats. While oven-baked scones are traditional, air fryers offer a modern and easy alternative, producing scones that are just as delicious. This guide will explore the process of making scones in an air fryer, including preparation, cooking, and serving tips, for a perfect batch of scones every time.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer scones are quick and easy to make
To make scones in an air fryer, you will need a few standard baking ingredients, including self-raising flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and sugar. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice and some vanilla extract to the milk for extra flavour. It is important to use cold butter to achieve the perfect flaky texture.
Before making the dough, prepare your air fryer by lining the basket with parchment paper or a liner. You can also use a non-stick cooking spray to prevent the scones from sticking. If your air fryer has a rack, you can place the scones on it to allow better air circulation.
To make the dough, combine the flour, baking powder, and cold cubed butter in a large mixing bowl and rub them together with your hands or a food processor until you get a breadcrumb consistency. Then, mix in the sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, and gradually mix this into the flour mixture until you form a soft dough.
Next, dust a work surface with flour and place the dough on it. Flatten the dough slightly, and then use a round cookie cutter to cut out the scones. Place the scones in the air fryer basket, brush them lightly with milk, and bake for 7-18 minutes at 180ºC until they are golden and risen.
Air fryer scones are best enjoyed fresh and warm. You can serve them with traditional toppings like jam and clotted cream or get creative with lemon curd, whipped double cream, fresh fruit, or cheese and chives.
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Use a 5cm round dough cutter to cut out the scones
When preparing the dough for your scones, dust a work surface with flour and tip the dough onto it. Bring it into a ball, then flatten it slightly until the dough is around 4-5cm deep. Now, use a 5cm round dough cutter to cut out the scones. You may need to cut out two or three first, then reshape the dough and cut again. If you don't have a 5cm cutter, you can use a cookie cutter with a diameter of 5 to 6cm or 2 to 2⅓ inches. My cutter is 5¾cm or 2¼ inches.
Before cutting out the scones, you can use the cutter to check how many scones will fit on your air fryer's rack. Most air fryers can fit 4 scones, but this will depend on the size of your air fryer. You can also use the cutter to cut out small rectangles of baking paper to hold the scones. This will allow hot air to flow under the scones and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
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Air fry for 7-8 minutes at 180ºC
Once you've prepared your scone dough, it's time to cook it in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 180ºC; this should only take a couple of minutes. While you're waiting, brush the tops of your scones with milk. This will give them a golden, glossy finish. You can also add a sprinkling of cheese at this stage for some extra flavour.
Now, place your scones in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are almost touching. If you have a 7.2L air fryer, you will likely need to cook your scones in batches. Close the lid and set the timer for 7-8 minutes. Keep an eye on your scones as they cook, and check them 1-2 minutes before the end of the cooking time. This will help you avoid overcooking them, which can make them dry and less fluffy.
Your scones are ready when they are golden brown and well-risen. They should sound hollow when you tap them. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Now, all that's left to do is to enjoy your freshly baked scones!
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Eat scones while still warm
Scones are best eaten while still warm. You can warm them up in the air fryer if you prefer. If you want to enjoy them warm, simply cut them in half and place them on a plate in the microwave for 20 seconds, or in the air fryer for one to two minutes. Be careful not to dry them out. You can also place them in a conventional oven for a few minutes until they are warm to the touch.
Air fryer scones are best eaten fresh and straight from the air fryer with lots of butter. They are light and fluffy and pair perfectly with strawberry jam and clotted cream. You can also eat them with lashings of jam and cream, or a watercress, chicory, apple, and walnut salad.
If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two to three days. To soften them, warm them in the microwave for 30 seconds.
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Serve with jam, clotted cream, or cheddar cheese and chives
Scones are a delightful treat, and you can make them even more indulgent by serving them with jam, clotted cream, or cheddar cheese and chives. Here are some ideas on how to elevate your scone-making and serving skills:
Jam and Clotted Cream
The classic combination of jam and clotted cream is a popular choice for a reason. This duo is a match made in heaven, especially when paired with fluffy scones. You can opt for traditional strawberry jam or mix it up with raspberry or blackcurrant jam. If you're feeling extra decadent, dust your scones with icing sugar for a beautiful presentation and an extra sweet touch. Don't forget the ongoing debate: whether to put the jam or cream first!
Cheddar Cheese and Chives
If you're feeling savoury, scones with cheddar cheese and chives are a delicious option. You can coarsely grate cheddar cheese and mix it into the dough, or sprinkle it on top before baking. Chives provide a lovely burst of freshness and colour. For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne or mustard powder to your dough. Serve these savoury scones with creamy butter, or get creative with crumbly blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, and chutney on the side.
Other Topping Ideas
Scones are incredibly versatile, and you can experiment with various toppings and add-ins. Here are some ideas to inspire your next batch:
- Blueberries: Toss dried blueberries in flour and gently mix them into the dough for a fruity surprise.
- Chocolate Chips: Indulge your sweet tooth by adding chocolate chips to the dough for chocolatey goodness in every bite.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Add ground cinnamon and extra sugar to the flour for a spiced treat. Sprinkle a cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of your scones for an extra crunchy texture.
- Lemon Curd: For a tangy twist, pair your scones with lemon curd. It's a refreshing change from the usual jam.
- Raisins: Add raisins to your scone dough for a classic British touch. They provide a burst of sweetness and a lovely texture.
- Glacé Cherries: Quartered glacé cherries in your scones offer a vibrant pop of colour and a delightful chewiness.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook scones in an air fryer is 180ºC. If your air fryer cooks quickly, cook your scones for longer at 160ºC.
The cooking time depends on your air fryer and the size of your scones. Most recipes suggest cooking scones for 14-18 minutes, but some suggest 7-8 minutes or 15 minutes. Keep an eye on your scones as they cook, and adjust the temperature or cook time as needed.
To prevent sticking, line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a liner, or use a non-stick cooking spray.
Air fryer scones are best served warm with toppings such as jam, clotted cream, lemon curd, whipped double cream, strawberry coulis, or butter.
