Air Fryer Cheese Scones

Air fryer cheese scones are golden, fluffy, and packed with savoury flavour. Quick to make and perfectly baked with a light crust on the outside and soft, cheesy layers inside, these scones are a delightful twist on the classic oven version. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea, they’re ready in minutes without heating up the whole kitchen.

Ingredients

• 225 g (1 ¾ cups) self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 50 g (3 ½ tbsp) cold butter, cubed
• 100 g (1 cup) mature cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tsp mustard powder (optional, for flavour)
• 125 ml (½ cup) milk (plus extra for brushing)

How To Make Air Fryer Cheese Scones

1. Preheat Air Fryer – Set to 180°C (350°F) for 3–4 minutes.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and mustard powder.
3. Rub in Butter – Add cold butter cubes and rub into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
4. Add Cheese – Stir in most of the grated cheese, reserving a little for topping.
5. Add Milk – Gradually stir in milk to form a soft dough. Do not overmix.
6. Shape – Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 2 cm (¾ inch) thick. Cut into rounds using a cutter.
7. Cook in Air Fryer – Place scones on parchment paper in the basket. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, or until golden and risen.
8. Serve – Allow to cool slightly before serving warm with butter.

You Must Know

• Don’t Overwork the Dough – Handle lightly to keep scones fluffy.
• Cold Butter is Essential – It creates pockets of air for a better rise.
• Spacing Matters – Leave room between scones in the basket for even cooking.
• Check Early – Air fryer models vary; check after 8 minutes to avoid overbrowning.

Topping Variations

• Extra Cheesy – Add a mix of cheddar and parmesan for a sharper flavour.
• Herby – Stir in chopped chives, parsley, or rosemary for a savoury twist.
• Spicy Kick – Add a pinch of paprika or cayenne to the flour.
• Seeded – Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds on top before cooking.
• Bacon & Cheese – Mix in crispy bacon bits for a hearty version.

Make It a Meal

• Serve with a bowl of hot tomato soup for a comforting lunch.
• Pair with a fresh garden salad and cold cuts for a light meal.
• Enjoy as part of a breakfast spread with eggs, ham, and fresh fruit.
• Turn into a tea-time treat with butter and chutney or savoury spreads.

Pro Tips

• Use mature cheddar for a richer, more pronounced flavour.
• For lighter scones, sift the flour before mixing.
• Always cook in a single layer – avoid stacking.
• If making in advance, freeze shaped dough rounds and cook from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes.
• Best eaten warm, but leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for 2 minutes at 160°C (320°F).

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these scones without self-raising flour?
Yes – use plain flour and add 2 tsp baking powder for every 225 g flour.

How do I store cheese scones?
Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I add other cheeses?
Absolutely – Red Leicester, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses work well.

Do I need parchment paper in the air fryer?
It helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier, but make sure it’s perforated for airflow.

Can I double the batch?
Yes, but cook in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even rising.

Print

Air Fryer Cheese Scones

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Cheese Scones is a quick and easy recipe for four delicious light and fluffy savoury scones packed full of cheese and baked in your air fryer.

• Author: Isabel
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 16 minutes
• Yield: Breakfast
• Category: British, Scottish
• Cuisine: British

Ingredients

• 150 g (1 ¼ cups) self-raising flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 40 g (3 tbsp) butter
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp mustard powder
• 50 g (½ cups) cheddar cheese finely grated
• 20 g (2 tbsp) cheddar cheese coarsely grated
• 80 ml (⅓ cups) milk

Instructions

1. Weigh 150 g (1 ¼ cups) self-raising flour into a medium bowl, add ½ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper and ¼ tsp mustard powder.
2. Add 40 g (3 tbsp) butter cut into small cubes.
3. Rub the butter through the flour with gentle movements until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. OR use a food processor to combine the ingredients.
4. Add 50 g (½ cup) finely grated cheese to the flour mixture in the bowl and stir through. OR add to the food processor and pulse just enough to combine.
5. Preheat the air fryer if required.
6. Add 80 ml (⅓ cup) milk to the dry mixture in the bowl. You may not need all the milk or might need a little more.
7. Bring the mixture together with a blunt knife and once a soft dough begins to form use your hands to form it into a ball. Dust the work surface with a little extra flour and pat out the dough into a flat disk about 2 cm deep.
8. Use a plain 6 cm (2 ½ in) cutter to cut out four scones. Pat the dough back together gently so you can use all the dough. You may have a little dough left over but not enough for another full scone.
9. Put a piece of baking parchment in the base of your air fryer and place four scones, spread apart, onto the baking parchment.
10. Use a plain 6 cm (2 ½ in) cutter to cut out four scones. Pat the dough back together gently so you can use all the dough. You may have a little dough left over but not enough for another full scone.
11. Put a piece of baking parchment in the base of your air fryer and place four scones, spread apart, onto the baking parchment.
12. Close the air fryer and set to 185C (365F). Bake the scones for 11 minutes.
13. Remove from the air fryer and cool on a cooling rack.
14. Serve the scones with butter.