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Four golden Air Fryer Scones nestled in a parchment-lined air fryer basket, with crisp tops and tender, flaky centers.
Print Recipe
Air Fryer Scones
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

My Air Fryer Scones are flaky, buttery, and ready in just 25 minutes! Make four golden scones without heating the oven or making a big batch.

Servings: 4 scones
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (7 ½ oz/213 g) self-raising flour
  • 2 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 ½ tablespoons (2 ¼ oz/63 g) butter , cold and diced
  • ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon cup (3 fl oz/90 ml) whole milk
  • Egg wash
Instructions
To Make the Air Fryer Scone Dough

  1. Pre-heat your Air fryer to 325°F (165°C) if your machine requires that. Mine does not.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.
  3. Rub the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  4. Gradually add the milk and mix lightly until combined.

  5. Turn out the mixture onto your surface and gently bring it together into a dough without kneading.

  6. Pat the dough into a disc to about 1 inch thick.

  7. Cut straight down using a 2 ½ inch round cutter (do not twist), then brush the tops only with egg wash.

  8. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the scones evenly spaced apart.

To Cook the Air Fryer Scones

  1. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 15–18 minutes, or until golden on top and firm when lightly pressed.

  2. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
To Serve and Store the Air Fryer Scones

  1. Enjoy warm with butter and jam! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 1-2 minutes.

Recipe Notes
  • Keep butter and liquid cold. This will give the scones the flakiest texture.
  • Choose your sweetness level. These scones are lightly sweet, but if you prefer them a little less sweet, reduce the sugar to 1 tablespoon.
  • Rub the butter into the flour. Rubbing the cold butter into the flour creates lovely pockets of tenderness.
  • Don't overwork the dough. Mix just until it comes together.
  • No biscuit cutter needed. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, you can pat the dough out into a square and then cut the scones into four squares or on the diagonal to make four triangles.
  • Use egg wash on tops only. When brushing on egg wash, cover the tops only and avoid the edges so the scones rise properly.
  • Use parchment paper with caution in air fryer. 
    • Use perforated parchment: Choose liners with holes to allow hot air to circulate and help food cook evenly.
    • Add parchment after preheating: Never preheat with loose parchment inside, as the fan can lift it toward the heating element.
    • Weigh it down with food: Always place food on the parchment before cooking to keep it in place.
    • Cut it to fit: Trim parchment to fit the bottom of the basket without covering the sides, vents, or airflow openings.
    • Check the temperature rating: Use food-grade parchment rated for your cooking temperature. Never use wax paper.
    • Know when to skip it: Parchment is great for easy cleanup and preventing sticking, but skipping it can help foods like fries and breaded items get crispier.
  • Use an oven instead of an air fryer. You can bake these scones in the oven on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.
  • Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. If your air fryer basket is very small, cook in batches.
  • Check scones a few minutes early. Air fryers vary in strength.
  • Serving ideas: Serve these scones with butter, Raspberry Freezer Jam, 3-Ingredient Microwave Strawberry Jam, or Orange Marmalade, and Clotted Cream.