Air fryers hit exactly 375°F with circulating heat—the same temperature Victorian ovens needed for proper scone rise.
Air Fryer Scones
Whip up a batch of delightful air fryer scones in no time! With just a handful of ingredients like creamy butter and fresh fruit, these tender treats come out perfectly golden and fluffy. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this simple yet scrumptious recipe that’s sure to become a breakfast favorite!
Prep
10
min
Cook
7
min
Serves
6
people
Level
beginner
The Story
These aren't your nan's teatime treats—scones actually descended from Scottish bannocks, flatbreads cooked on griddle stones, until 16th-century bakers discovered raising agents and shoved them in ovens, transforming humble oat cakes into the fluffy gems that sparked the great Devon-versus-Cornwall cream-first controversy that still divides Britain more than Brexit ever could.
Regional Twist
In Yorkshire's Wensleydale region, they fold grated sharp cheese directly into the self-raising flour mixture and swap milk for buttermilk, creating savory giants that pair with local honey instead of jam.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 egg (optional)
- 175 ml milk
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- butter (to taste)
- 250 g self raising flour
- sugar (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Put flour and butter into a bowl and mix together to create breadcrumbs using your fingertips.
- 2
Add in the remaining ingredients then mix to form a dough.
- 3
Flatten the dough onto a floured work surface, roll out until thick then use cookie cutters to create the scones. Use up all the dough by rolling up the remaining mixture.
- 4
Brush the tops with extra milk or egg. Air fry on 200°C for 7 minutes or oven bake for 15 minutes.
- 5
Slice and enjoy warm with jam and cream or yoghurt for a healthier option.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Keep butter cold (around 40°F) and work it quickly into flour to create distinct fat layers that steam during baking, creating the flaky texture scones are known for.technique40°F butter temperature
- ✓Aim for pea-sized butter pieces in your flour mixture - pieces larger than 1/4 inch create uneven texture while smaller pieces won't provide enough steam pockets for lift.technique1/4 inch maximum
- ✓Roll dough to exactly 3/4 inch thickness because thinner dough won't rise properly in the air fryer's intense heat circulation, while thicker dough will be raw inside.technique3/4 inch thickness
- ✓Reduce air fryer temperature to 180°C instead of 200°C because the concentrated airflow cooks 25% faster than conventional ovens and will over-brown the exteriors.equipment180°C, 25% faster cooking
- ✓Don't twist cookie cutters when cutting - press straight down and lift to prevent sealing the edges, which blocks the rise and creates dense, flat scones.technique
Share this recipe
Prep
10
min
Cook
7
min
Serves
6
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Air fryers hit exactly 375°F with circulating heat—the same temperature Victorian ovens needed for proper scone rise.
Air Fryer Scones
Whip up a batch of delightful air fryer scones in no time! With just a handful of ingredients like creamy butter and fresh fruit, these tender treats come out perfectly golden and fluffy. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this simple yet scrumptious recipe that’s sure to become a breakfast favorite!
The Story
These aren't your nan's teatime treats—scones actually descended from Scottish bannocks, flatbreads cooked on griddle stones, until 16th-century bakers discovered raising agents and shoved them in ovens, transforming humble oat cakes into the fluffy gems that sparked the great Devon-versus-Cornwall cream-first controversy that still divides Britain more than Brexit ever could.
Regional Twist
In Yorkshire's Wensleydale region, they fold grated sharp cheese directly into the self-raising flour mixture and swap milk for buttermilk, creating savory giants that pair with local honey instead of jam.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 egg (optional)
- 175 ml milk
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- butter (to taste)
- 250 g self raising flour
- sugar (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Put flour and butter into a bowl and mix together to create breadcrumbs using your fingertips.
- 2
Add in the remaining ingredients then mix to form a dough.
- 3
Flatten the dough onto a floured work surface, roll out until thick then use cookie cutters to create the scones. Use up all the dough by rolling up the remaining mixture.
- 4
Brush the tops with extra milk or egg. Air fry on 200°C for 7 minutes or oven bake for 15 minutes.
- 5
Slice and enjoy warm with jam and cream or yoghurt for a healthier option.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Keep butter cold (around 40°F) and work it quickly into flour to create distinct fat layers that steam during baking, creating the flaky texture scones are known for.technique40°F butter temperature
- ✓Aim for pea-sized butter pieces in your flour mixture - pieces larger than 1/4 inch create uneven texture while smaller pieces won't provide enough steam pockets for lift.technique1/4 inch maximum
- ✓Roll dough to exactly 3/4 inch thickness because thinner dough won't rise properly in the air fryer's intense heat circulation, while thicker dough will be raw inside.technique3/4 inch thickness
- ✓Reduce air fryer temperature to 180°C instead of 200°C because the concentrated airflow cooks 25% faster than conventional ovens and will over-brown the exteriors.equipment180°C, 25% faster cooking
- ✓Don't twist cookie cutters when cutting - press straight down and lift to prevent sealing the edges, which blocks the rise and creates dense, flat scones.technique