Air Fryer Cheese Scones

When a craving for something warm, savory, and satisfying strikes, these Air Fryer Cheese Scones are the perfect answer. Imagine a light, tender scone, rich with the flavour of sharp cheddar and baked to golden-brown perfection. The air fryer works its magic in minutes, creating a wonderfully crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.

This recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for a quick breakfast, a comforting snack on a cool afternoon, or as a delicious accompaniment to a bowl of soup. Forget waiting for the oven to preheat; these cheesy delights are less than 20 minutes away.

Why This Recipe Works So Well

• Incredibly Fast: The air fryer significantly cuts down on cooking time, delivering warm scones in about 12 minutes.
• Perfect Texture: Achieves the ideal scone texture—a crisp, golden crust with a soft, flaky, and tender crumb.
• Richly Cheesy: Loaded with sharp cheddar cheese for a bold, savory flavour in every bite.
• Energy Efficient: A great way to bake without heating up your entire kitchen, perfect for small batches.
• Easily Customizable: This base recipe is a perfect canvas for adding herbs, spices, or other savory mix-ins.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Note: Full measurements are typically found on a recipe card.)

• All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation for a tender scone.
• Baking Powder: The leavening agent that ensures the scones rise and become light and airy.
• Salt: Essential for enhancing the savoury cheese flavour.
• Cold Butter: The key to a flaky texture. Small pieces of butter create steam pockets as they melt, resulting in tender layers.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated. A sharp or mature cheddar provides the best and boldest cheesy taste.
• Milk: Binds the dough and adds moisture for a soft crumb.
• Egg: Beaten for an egg wash, which gives the scones a beautiful, glossy, golden-brown finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the grated cheddar cheese and toss to combine.

2. Cut in the Butter Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces remaining.

3. Form the Dough Pour in the milk and mix with a fork until a soft, slightly shaggy dough begins to form. Be careful not to overmix. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together with your hands into a cohesive ball.

4. Shape the Scones Pat the dough into a circle about 1 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or a bench scraper, cut the circle into 6 or 8 equal wedges (like a pizza).

5. Air Fry to Perfection Preheat your air fryer to 350∘F (175∘C). Place the scone wedges in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Brush the tops with the beaten egg. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until they have risen and are a deep golden brown.

6. Serve Warm Allow the scones to cool for a minute in the basket before transferring them to a wire rack. These are best enjoyed warm, either on their own or with a pat of butter.

Preparation and Nutrition

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Servings: 8

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate):

• Calories: 210
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 6g
• Sodium: 350mg

Serving Suggestions, Tips, and Variations

• Serving Ideas: These scones are a wonderful accompaniment to soups and stews. They also make a fantastic savory breakfast or brunch item served alongside scrambled eggs.
• Don’t Overwork the Dough: The key to a light scone is a gentle hand. Mix only until the dough just comes together to avoid developing too much gluten, which can make them tough.
• Experiment with Cheeses: While sharp cheddar is classic, try swapping it for Gruyère, Parmesan, or a spicy pepper jack for a different flavour profile.
• Flavour Variations: Add extra flavour by mixing in chopped chives, a teaspoon of garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or crumbled cooked bacon into the dry ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the baking instructions for a conventional oven? Yes, you can bake these in an oven preheated to 375∘F (190∘C). Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until golden.

2. Can I freeze these scones? These scones freeze beautifully. You can freeze them either unbaked or after baking. For unbaked, freeze the shaped wedges on a tray before transferring to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes. For baked, cool completely before freezing and reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes.

3. Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free? Yes. Use a solid, plant-based butter substitute, a dairy-free cheese shred, and your favourite plant-based milk.

4. How do I know when the scones are fully cooked? They will be well-risen and a deep golden brown on top. A wooden skewer inserted into the center should come out clean with no wet dough.

5. Can I add fresh herbs? Absolutely. Finely chopped chives, rosemary, or thyme would be delicious additions. Add them to the dry ingredients along with the cheese.

6. Can I make the dough ahead of time? You can make the dough, shape the scones, and store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Conclusion

These Air Fryer Cheese Scones are the ultimate savory comfort bake, made incredibly quick and easy thanks to the air fryer. They deliver all the flaky, cheesy goodness of a traditional scone but are ready in a fraction of the time. Perfect for when you need a delicious, satisfying treat without the fuss, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen for its simplicity and irresistible flavour.

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