Air-Fried Scones: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Scones are a popular baked good, typically made from wheat flour and a raising agent. They are usually served with tea or coffee but can also be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens for baking scones, as they heat up quickly, use less power, and produce similar results. This is especially true for small batches, as most air fryers are more compact than ovens.

Air-fried scones are light, fluffy, and melt in your mouth. They can be served with a variety of toppings, such as butter, jam, clotted cream, or even savoury options like cheese and bacon.

Making scones in an air fryer is an easy process that yields delicious results. The key is to use cold butter, mix the ingredients gently without overworking the dough, and ensure your self-raising flour and baking powder are fresh.

So, if you're looking for a quick, convenient, and tasty treat, air-fried scones are a great option!

Air fryer scones are convenient, quick, and easy to make

The air fryer will not only save you energy and therefore money, but you can also make smaller batches (and potentially eat less). But best of all, for those lucky enough to have warm weather in the summer months, the air fryer won't heat up your kitchen and, in turn, you. So there's no reason not to keep baking.

No special baking equipment is needed either. You don't need a hand/stand mixer, food processor, or even a rolling pin. You can use a manual whisk for the egg/milk mixture, but this can easily be done with a fork instead. You can use a pastry cutter (also known as a pastry blender) if your hands get sore easily, but your hands are your best tool for making great scones.

The ingredients needed for air fryer scones are also simple and easy to find. You will need self-raising flour, baking powder, butter, sugar, and milk. You can also add vanilla extract and lemon juice for extra flavor. The process of making scones in an air fryer is also quite simple and direct. First, you rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Then, you mix in the sugar and any other dry ingredients. Next, you add in the wet ingredients and form a dough. You then shape the dough into a disc, cut out the scones, brush them with milk, and place them in the air fryer to bake.

Air fryer scones are also very versatile. You can make both sweet and savory scones by adding different ingredients to the dough. For sweet scones, you can add sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, chocolate chips, or other dried or fresh fruit. For savory scones, you can add cheese, bacon, seeded mustard, or shaved ham.

Air fryer scones are also freezer-friendly and can be made ahead of time. The dough can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 weeks and the baked scones can be frozen for up to 3 months.

They are best served with jam and clotted cream, or eaten straight from the air fryer with butter

Scones are best served with accompaniments that complement their slightly savoury taste. The classic combination of jam and clotted cream is a perfect match, but you can also get creative with other flavourings. For a more savoury option, try eating them straight from the air fryer with butter, which will melt instantly.

Jam and clotted cream are the traditional toppings for scones. The rich, creamy clotted cream and sweet jam are a delicious pairing, and when paired with a scone, they create a decadent treat. Clotted cream is a thick, rich cream with a high fat content, and while it may be difficult to find in some places, it is worth the effort to make or find it to create an authentic scone-eating experience.

If you are unable to get clotted cream, or would like to try something different, there are many other toppings you can use. Butter is a simple option that will melt into the warm scone, creating a delicious, indulgent treat. For a more luxurious option, try whipped or double cream. You could also try lemon curd, either on its own or with cream, for a tangy, sweet flavour. If you want to add some fruit, try a fruit coulis, or simply use fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.

For a savoury option, try cheese, either on its own or with bacon or ham. You could also add some cayenne or chipotle powder to the cheese for a spicy kick. If you want to add some green to your scone, try some sliced avocado with smoked salmon.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can add a little extra sugar to your scone dough, and then top with jam and cream for an extra indulgent treat. Alternatively, try dusting your scone with icing sugar once it has cooked and cooled.

You can make savoury scones by adding cheese, bacon, or ham to the dough

Scones are typically made from wheat flour and a raising agent, and are usually served with tea or coffee. However, they can also be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of seasoning of your choice (e.g. Italian seasoning, Ranch seasoning blend)
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
• ½ cup of milk
• Oil spray
• Butter and jam, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) or an oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, seasoning, and garlic powder.
• Stir in the grated cheese, then add the milk gradually to ensure the mixture is not too watery.
• Mix everything until it forms a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this will make the scones tough.
• On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10-15 seconds.
• Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out round shapes from the dough, or form patties with your hands.
• Place the scones directly on the air fryer basket or tray, making sure they don't touch each other. Spritz each scone with oil spray.
• Air fry for 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Alternatively, bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes.
• Serve warm with butter and jam, or your choice of toppings.

You can experiment with different types of cheese, or add bacon or ham to the dough for a smoky, savoury flavour. For a sweet and savoury scone, top with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also add chopped chives or other herbs for an herbaceous twist.

Scones are best eaten fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days

Scones are best enjoyed fresh, straight out of the oven. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To ensure your scones stay fresh for longer, let them cool down completely before storing them. If you want to keep them for longer than 3 days, you can freeze them. Wrap the scones individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Frozen scones can last for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen scones, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Place them in the air fryer basket and heat them at 200°C for 1-2 minutes, or until they are warmed through. You can also reheat them in the oven or a toaster oven.

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens as they are cheaper to run and don't heat up the whole kitchen

Air fryers are also more convenient than ovens as they heat up quickly due to their smaller size and built-in fan. They are perfect for baking scones as the circulating heat helps ensure even baking throughout. Additionally, scones bake best in high heat, which air fryers can provide.

Another benefit of using an air fryer is the cost. Cooking in an air fryer is about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven. This makes air fryers a more economical option for baking.

Air fryers also offer the advantage of customisation. You can make a basic scone recipe and get creative by adding different ingredients to the scone dough. For example, you can add raisins, cinnamon, chocolate chips, or even cheddar cheese to your scones.

Overall, air fryers are a great alternative to ovens for baking scones. They are cheaper to run, don't heat up the whole kitchen, and offer the convenience of customisation and smaller batch sizes.

Frequently asked questions