Air-Fried Scone Perfection: A Quick, Easy Guide

Air fryers are a great way to make scones without heating up the whole kitchen. They are also more energy-efficient than conventional ovens, saving you money. This guide will teach you how to make scones in an air fryer, including the ingredients you'll need, the preparation method, and some tips for achieving the perfect scones.

Ingredients and measurements

The ingredients and their measurements for making scones in an air fryer are as follows:

• Self-raising flour: 175g to 450g, depending on the recipe and desired yield.
• Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons, depending on whether you are using self-raising flour or plain/all-purpose flour.
• Butter: 75g to 80g of unsalted butter, cubed and cold.
• Caster sugar: 2 tablespoons to 4 tablespoons. White or golden caster sugar can be used.
• Milk: 85ml to 250ml of semi-skimmed, whole, or buttermilk.
• Lemon juice: a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to sour the milk and produce a light and fluffy texture (optional).
• Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon for extra flavour (optional).
• Egg: for glazing the tops of the scones before baking (optional).
• Additional ingredients: You can add a handful of sultanas, a few pinches of cinnamon, or other fruit or savoury flavours of your choice.

Note: The amount of flour, butter, sugar, and milk used may vary slightly depending on the recipe and the desired yield. It is important to use cold, cubed butter straight from the fridge to achieve the perfect flaky texture.

Preparing the dough

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by combining the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. This includes the flour, baking powder (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk these ingredients together to ensure they are well combined. You can also add any additional dry ingredients for flavour at this stage, such as sugar, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Step 2: Cut in the Butter

The next step is to add the butter. It's important that the butter is cold and cubed before you add it to the flour mixture. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect flaky texture in your scones.

Step 3: Add Liquid Ingredients

In a separate bowl or jug, prepare the liquid ingredients. This typically includes milk, and you can also add an extra flavouring agent like vanilla extract or lemon juice. If you're using an egg for glazing, you can beat it and add it to the liquid mixture. Gradually mix the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture until a soft dough forms. You may not need to use all of the liquid, so add it slowly and stop when the dough comes together.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Once the dough has come together, lightly flour a clean, dry surface and turn out the dough. Knead the dough gently until it becomes smooth. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can affect the texture of your scones.

Step 5: Shape and Cut the Dough

After kneading, shape the dough into a disc or square, depending on the shape of your scone cutter. The dough should be roughly 2-3 cm thick. Use a round biscuit or scone cutter to cut out the scones. Remember not to twist the cutter when stamping out the scones, as this can affect their ability to rise evenly. Place the cut scones on a floured surface or a sheet of baking paper, ready for the air fryer.

Your dough is now ready for the air fryer! Remember to brush the tops of the scones with milk or egg for a golden finish, and cook in batches to ensure even cooking. Enjoy your freshly baked air fryer scones!

Shaping the scones

First, lightly dust your work surface with flour. This will prevent the dough from sticking and make it easier to handle. Take your scone dough and use your hands to gently shape it into a round disc. The thickness of the disc will depend on your desired scone size, but it should be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. If you prefer thicker scones, aim for a thickness of around 2 inches (5 cm).

Next, use a cookie cutter or a scone cutter to cut out the scones. For even cooking, use a cutter with a diameter of 5 cm or 2 inches. Dip the cutter in flour before each cut to prevent the dough from sticking. Gently press the cutter straight down into the dough without twisting. This is important for ensuring that your scones rise evenly.

If the scones do not release from the cutter, don't worry. Simply leave them to rest and carefully lift away the excess dough using a palette knife. Transfer the cut scones to a piece of baking paper or directly onto the prepared air fryer rack, making sure they are close together but not crowded.

Finally, gently gather the remaining dough scraps and shape them into a disc again. Cut out more scones until you have used up all the dough. Remember that the last few scones may not be as perfect as the first ones due to the additional handling, but they will still taste delicious!

Once you have cut out all your scones, it's time to brush them with a glaze. You can use milk or a mixture of egg and milk for this step. Start from the centre of each scone and slowly brush outwards, being careful not to let the glaze drip down the sides as this can affect the rise.

Cooking the scones

First, preheat your air fryer to 180-200°C. While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your scone dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and cold cubed butter. Use your hands to rub the ingredients together until you achieve a breadcrumb-like consistency. You can also use a food processor with a pulse function for this step, but be careful not to overwork the dough.

Next, mix in the caster sugar. In a separate container, heat the milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds, then add a small amount of lemon juice and vanilla extract. Allow this mixture to stand for a couple of minutes before using a cutlery knife to mix it into the flour mixture.

At this point, your dough will be quite sticky and soft. Lightly flour a clean, dry surface and transfer the dough onto it. Shape the dough into a round disc with your hands—it should be roughly 2.5-3 cm thick. Using a 5-8 cm round biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out your scones. Remember not to twist the cutter when stamping out the scones, as this will help them rise evenly.

Brush the tops of the scones with milk or egg for glazing. If you're using parchment paper, place it into the bottom of the air fryer basket before putting the scones on top. The scones can be placed close together, almost touching.

Cook the scones in batches, as most air fryers won't be able to fit all of them in one go. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer, but it typically ranges from 7-8 minutes for smaller scones to around 15-20 minutes for larger ones. Keep an eye on them during the first cook to ensure they don't burn, and adjust the temperature or cooking time as needed. The scones are done when they are golden and, when tapped, produce a hollow sound.

Serving suggestions

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

The classic way to serve scones is with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry, raspberry, or blackcurrant jam. For a Cornish twist, be sure to spread the jam first, then add the cream. For a more luxurious take, swap the jam for a fruit coulis.

For a more indulgent treat, try serving your scones with whipped double cream and a fruit coulis, or with lemon curd and cream. If you're feeling extra creative, you could even try bananas and cream with a drizzle of caramel, blueberries and maple syrup, or cherries and cream.

If you're making savoury scones, you could try serving them with butter, or cheese and onion.

Frequently asked questions