Air Fryer Scone Baking: Timing For Perfect Results

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to make scones without having to turn on the oven. Depending on the recipe, scones can be baked in an air fryer in as little as 7 minutes, with most recipes recommending a baking time between 8 and 20 minutes.

Air fryer scones are best enjoyed fresh, but they can also be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for later.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for air fryer scones, you will need self-raising flour, caster sugar, baking powder, unsalted butter, and milk. You can also add a pinch of salt. Some recipes suggest adding an egg and vanilla extract. If you want fruit scones, you can add dried fruit such as currants, sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt (if using) in a large bowl. Add the cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingers or a food processor until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. If you are adding dried fruit, mix it in at this stage.

Make a well in the centre of the mixture and pour in the milk, and vanilla extract if using. Start combining to form a dough. Handle the dough lightly to keep the scones tender and soft. The dough will be quite soft and sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it very briefly and gently until it is just smooth. Be careful not to over-knead. Roll out the dough until it is about 3 or 4 cm thick. Use a round cutter to cut out the scones. You can also roll the dough into a ball and then flatten it into a disc before cutting out the scones.

How to cut the scones

Once you've made your scone dough, it's time to cut out your scones. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Lightly flour your work surface.
• Turn out your dough onto the floured surface.
• Knead the dough very briefly and gently until it's just smooth. Be careful not to over-knead.
• Roll out the dough until it's about 3 or 4 cm thick. Use a round cutter to cut out your scones. You can also use a cookie cutter or a biscuit cutter.
• If you're using a cutter, dip it into a small bowl of flour before each cut to prevent the dough from sticking.
• Press straight down into the dough and lift the cutter straight up. Don't twist the cutter, as this can affect the rise of your scones.
• If the scone doesn't lift off easily, just leave it and cut the next one. You can then use a palette knife to carefully lift the scone and transfer it to a prepared baking sheet or tray.
• Gently bring the scraps of excess dough together and flatten it out again to cut more scones. Remember that the last few scones may not be as perfect as the first ones due to the increased handling, but they will still taste great!
• Repeat this process until all the dough is used up.

Now you're ready to bake your scones in the air fryer!

How to cook the scones

Ingredients

To make scones in an air fryer, you will need the following simple baking staples:

• Self-raising flour
• Caster or granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Unsalted butter
• Milk

You can also add sultanas, currants, blueberries, chocolate chips, cheddar cheese, or vanilla for extra flavour.

Method

First, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).

Next, combine your flour, sugar, baking powder and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed butter and rub it into the flour using your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Now, mix in the sugar. Heat the milk in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add a squeeze of lemon juice and 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 3-4cm thick) using your hands. Using a 5cm fluted cookie cutter, stamp out your scones. You will need to keep reforming the dough into a disc with your hands until you have used it all up.

Glaze the tops of the scones with milk, then place them in your air fryer basket.

Finally, air fry your scones for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and well risen.

Tips

• Always use cold cubed butter. If you use soft, warm butter, you will be left with a sticky mess.
• You don't need a rolling pin. Just shape the dough with your hands.
• The more sparingly you handle the dough, the better the end result.
• Try not to twist the cutter when stamping out the scones. This helps them to rise evenly.
• Make sure your self-raising flour and baking powder are in date to ensure the scones rise.
• When placing your scones into the air-fryer basket, it’s OK for them to touch each other.
• Line the air-fryer basket with baking paper or a liner.
• Every air-fryer is different, so keep an eye on your scones during the first cook.
• Scones are best eaten while still warm.
• Brush the tops of the scones with milk for a beautiful, golden finish.
• Don't twist the cookie cutter when cutting out your scones. This is very important for a good rise.
• Brush the tops of the scones gently and carefully with an egg/milk mixture. Start from the centre and go slowly, and try not to let any liquid drip down the sides, as this can impair the rise.
• Make sure your air fryer has been preheated for a full 10 minutes.
• Place the scones in a single layer about 1" apart on a pizza plate, crisping tray, or in the air fryer basket.
• Check on the scones after 6 minutes. If they are getting too brown, lower the temperature. If they aren't brown enough, increase the temperature or cook a few minutes longer.
• After the scones cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.

How to serve the scones

Scones are typically served as part of a cream tea or afternoon tea. This usually includes finger sandwiches and small, bite-sized treats, all washed down with tea.

Scones are often served with clotted cream and jam, with the ratio of scone:jam:cream being 2:1:1. The jam is usually strawberry, but other flavours such as raspberry or blackcurrant are also options. Lemon curd is another alternative. The cream can be swapped for whipped double cream, and you could even add a strawberry or blackcurrant coulis.

If you want to add some fruit to your scones, you can include raisins, sultanas or currants. You could also add quartered glace cherries or chocolate chips to the dough. For a healthier option, use wholegrain flour, or swap out the sugar and add grated cheddar cheese to make cheese scones.

Scones are best served warm, straight from the oven. They can be reheated in an air fryer for 1-2 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

How to store the scones

Scones are best enjoyed fresh and warm, straight out of the oven. However, if you have leftovers, storing them properly is crucial to retain their texture and taste. Here is a detailed guide on how to store your scones:

Let Them Cool Down:

First, let the scones cool down completely before storing them. This is important because any lingering warmth can cause condensation, which will soften the exterior of the scones.

Room Temperature Storage:

If you plan to consume the scones within a day or two, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Before placing them in the container, you can cover each scone tightly in cling film or beeswax wrap for added protection. Ensure the storage area is cool and dry, away from direct heat or sunlight.

Refrigerator Storage:

If your scones have perishable fillings or savory ingredients, it's best to store them in the refrigerator. Most scones will stay fresh for about a week when refrigerated. Again, use airtight containers or wrap each scone in cling film, beeswax, or foil before placing them in the fridge.

Freezer Storage:

For longer-term storage, freezing is a great option. Wrap each scone individually to prevent freezer burn, then place them in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. Frozen scones can last for at least two months, and sometimes even longer if stored properly.

Reheating:

When you're ready to enjoy your stored scones, there are a few ways to reheat them:

• Room temperature thawing: Take the scones out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the scones on a tray covered with foil. Warm them for a few minutes until they regain their soft and fluffy texture.
• Microwave: If you're short on time, pop the scones in the microwave and heat them in 15-second intervals.
• Air fryer: You can also reheat the scones in the air fryer at 200°C for 1-2 minutes.

Remember, scones are at their best when fresh, so while these storage methods will help retain their quality, they may not be as perfect as the day they were made.

Frequently asked questions