I love cheese scones - and it's easy in the air fryer! Serve these scones with butter and extra cheese or serve them with soups, stews and braais This is the only way I make cheese scones!

 

Introduction

Scones are usually baked in an oven, but the air fryer offers a fast, convenient alternative that gives golden crusts and soft interiors. Making cheese-savoury scones in the air fryer means less pre-heating, more speed, and great texture. According to multiple recipe sources, air-fryer cheese scones come together in ~10-20 minutes of cook time and about 10 minutes prep. Pinch Of Nom+1
This version will focus on savoury cheese scones — sharp cheddar or mature cheese works beautifully — baked in the air fryer, served warm, perhaps with butter or alongside a soup or salad.

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Ingredients (for ~8 scones; you can scale up or down)

Here’s a consolidated list based on multiple recipes:

• 225-300 g self-raising flour (or all-purpose flour + baking powder). For example, one uses 225 g self-raising flour. Dora Cooks+1

• 1 teaspoon (or approx) baking powder (if using plain flour) or included in self-raising. airfryer-tips.us+1

• ½ teaspoon (or to taste) salt. (And optional: black pepper, mustard powder, cayenne pepper) farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk+1

• 40-75 g cold unsalted butter (cubed) depending on batch size. For example one uses 75 g cold butter. Jamie Oliver Dishes+1

• 100-120 g mature cheddar cheese, grated. (Sharp flavour recommended) Dora Cooks+1

• Approx 70-120 ml milk (or enough milk to bring dough together) Dora Cooks

• Optional flavour additions: chopped chives, mustard powder, cayenne, garlic powder, herbs (parsley) airfryer-tips.us+1

• For topping: bit of extra milk or melted butter to brush on top, extra grated cheese if desired. The Slow Roasted Italian

Equipment

• Air fryer (basket or oven style)

• Mixing bowl

• Pastry cutter or fingers to rub butter into flour

• Rolling pin or just your hands to pat out dough

• Round cutter (or shape by hand)

• Parchment paper or lined basket (optional)

• Cooling rack

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Method - Step-by-Step

Step 1: Pre-heat & prepare your air fryer

Pre-heat your air fryer to approx 180 °C (≈ 350 °F) for a few minutes. For example, one recipe says pre-heat to 180°C for 2 minutes. Dora Cooks
While it pre-heats, line your basket with parchment (if recommended by your air fryer manual) or spray lightly with cooking oil. One caution: don’t put loose parchment in before the fan is running or it may fly. farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk

Step 2: Combine dry ingredients

In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder (if using), salt, and any seasonings you’re using (mustard powder, cayenne, garlic powder, herbs). For example one site uses 1 tsp baking powder + mustard powder + cayenne. farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk

Step 3: Rub in the butter

Using cold butter cut into cubes, rub the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs or coarse meal (some pea-sized butter pieces remain). This will help give the scone a lighter, flakier texture. One tip: use very cold butter and avoid overworking it. Dora Cooks

Step 4: Add cheese and optional flavourings

Stir in the grated cheddar cheese (and any herbs/chives etc). Make sure cheese is cold and fresh.grated. One recipe: “Use very cold butter and freshly grated cheese.” Dora Cooks

Step 5: Add milk & bring to dough

Make a well in the dry mixture and pour in the milk gradually. Stir gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid over-mixing as this leads to tough scones. Example: “Gradually add the milk … until the dough comes together. You may not need all the milk.” Dora Cooks

Step 6: Shape the dough

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it into a circle about 2 cm (≈ ¾-1 inch) thick (or thickness your air fryer batch works). Use a round cutter to cut out scones, or use a knife to cut into wedges. For example recipes suggest 2 cm thickness or circle shape. Dora Cooks+1

Step 7: Place in air fryer basket

Transfer the scones into the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between each one so the hot air can circulate and they can rise properly. Overcrowding will result in uneven cooking or soggy sides. One recipe emphasizes leaving space. Dora Cooks
Brush the tops lightly with milk (or melted butter) and sprinkle a little extra grated cheese if you like. This helps with golden top and extra flavour. The Slow Roasted Italian

Step 8: Air-fry

Cook at 180 °C (~350 °F) for 8-12 minutes depending on size and model of air fryer. One recipe says 8-10 minutes. Dora Cooks Another suggests 10-15 minutes. Fast Air Fryer Recipes
Check at about the 8 minute mark: tops should be golden brown, bottoms should sound slightly hollow or feel firm to the touch. If needed, add 1-2 minutes. The scones should be cooked through but still soft inside.

Step 9: Cool briefly & serve warm

Once done, remove from air fryer and let the scones rest on a cooling rack for ~2-3 minutes. This allows interior to set slightly so you don’t end up with a gummy center. Then serve warm—this is key for best texture and cheese-melty enjoyment. Serve with butter, perhaps extra cheese spread, or alongside soup/ salad.

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Why These Techniques Matter

• Cold butter & quick handling -> tender, flaky texture rather than tough.

• Freshly grated cheese -> better melt and flavour than pre-shredded (which may contain mildew or anti-caking agents).

• Not over-mixing -> keeps gluten from over-developing so the scone is light.

• Air-fryer spacing & circulation -> ensures even cooking, crisp exterior and soft interior.

• Brushing tops with milk or butter -> gives golden colour and flavour accent.

• Serving warm -> cheese flavour peaks, texture is ideal, aroma is fresh.

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Variations & Flavour Tweaks

Here are ways to adapt the recipe and make it your own:

Cheese & herbs variations

• Use mature Cheddar, or red Leicester, or Gruyère for nutty flavour. Source: one says “any firm cheese you can grate … you want something with good flavour”. farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk

• Add chopped fresh herbs: chives, parsley, thyme. One recipe uses chives. Dora Cooks

• Mix in mustard powder or cayenne pepper for a kick. farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk

Add-ins

• Cooked bacon bits or ham cubes for extra savoury depth. Source: one variation list suggested bacon or ham. Fork To Spoon

• Sun-dried tomatoes + olives + feta for a Mediterranean twist. Fork To Spoon

• Jalapeños + pepper jack cheese for a spicy version. Fork To Spoon

Dietary adaptations

• Gluten-free: use a good gluten-free flour blend + gluten-free baking powder. Source mentions one gluten-free adaption. Jamie Oliver Dishes

• Dairy-free/vegan: use plant-based butter, vegan cheese, non-dairy milk. Combine variation from general scone notes (e.g., Tasty Bites version includes veg substitution). tastyybites.com

Serving ideas

• Warm scones with butter + jam (even though savoury) or cheese spread.

• Serve alongside soup (tomato, vegetable) for a comforting meal. One source: “ready in 8 minutes, our crispy scones are delicious on their own, but even better served with a steaming hot bowl of Cheesy Roasted Vegetable Soup.” Pinch Of Nom

• Make mini versions (smaller cut) to serve as appetizer bites.

• Freeze extras: One site says you can freeze shaped scones and air-fry from frozen (add extra time). Fast Air Fryer Recipes

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Troubleshooting – What to Watch For

• Scones too dense / heavy: might have over-mixed dough, or used too much milk, or butter was too warm/over-worked.

• Edges too dark / burnt: air fryer may run hot; reduce temperature slightly; check earlier. Or top layer too close to heating element.

• Undercooked inside: perhaps basket was overcrowded, or thickness was too great; ensure spacing and correct thickness (~1-inch or ~2 cm).

• Scones did not rise: maybe baking powder old/stale, or dough was pressed too hard, or not enough butter pockets.

• Cheese didn’t melt / flavour weak: Use freshly grated mature cheese, ensure good quantity. Pre-shredded sometimes has coatings that affect melt.

• Basket sticking / bottom burnt: Use parchment or lightly grease; some air fryers have hot spots so check earlier. Source warns about parchment rising. farmersgirlkitchen.co.uk

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Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Best enjoyed fresh & warm. However:

• Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temp for up to 24 hours. Longer may dry them out.

• For freezing: Wrap individually in plastic wrap or bag, freeze up to 2-3 months. To reheat: air-fry at ~160-170 °C for 2-4 minutes (if thawed) or 4-6 minutes if frozen. Source for make-ahead: “freeze unbaked shaped scones; shape ahead; add extra time” Fast Air Fryer Recipes

• Avoid microwaving if you want a crisp exterior; air fryer reheating gives better texture.

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Full Recipe Summary (Printable Style)

Air Fryer Cheese Scones
Yield: ~8 scones
Prep: ~10-15 minutes
Cook: ~10-12 minutes
Total: ~20-27 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250 g (approx) self-raising flour (or 225 g plain flour + 1 tsp baking powder)

• 1 tsp baking powder (if needed)

• ½ tsp salt (plus optional: ¼ tsp mustard powder/cayenne/garlic powder)

• 75 g (cold) unsalted butter, cubed

• 100-120 g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

• 70-120 ml milk (adjust as needed)

• Extra milk or melted butter for brushing

• Optional: fresh chopped chives/herbs, bacon bits, sun-dried tomatoes, jalapeños

Method:

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F) for ~2 minutes.

2. In bowl: combine flour + baking powder (if used) + salt + seasoning.

3. Rub cold butter into flour mixture until coarse crumbs texture remains.

4. Stir in grated cheese and optional add-ins (herbs etc).

5. Pour in milk gradually and gently mix until dough just comes together (do not over-mix).

6. On floured surface, pat dough into circle ~2 cm thick. Cut into 8 wedges (or use round cutter).

7. Place scones in air fryer basket with spacing. Brush tops with milk/butter, sprinkle extra cheese if desired.

8. Air-fry 8-12 minutes until golden brown and cooked inside. Check at ~8 minutes.

9. Remove scones and let rest ~2-3 minutes on cooling rack, then serve warm with butter/cheese spread or alongside soup/salad.

Storage & Reheat:

• Store cooled scones in airtight container at room temp for up to 24 hrs.

• Freeze individually for up to 3 months; reheat in air fryer at ~160-170 °C for 2-4 minutes thawed or 4-6 minutes frozen.

• For best texture, serve warm and fresh.

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Final Thoughts

Air fryer cheese scones are a fast, flexible and delicious savoury bake that can be ready in under half an hour. The air fryer approach gives you crisp exterior and tender interior with less fuss than a conventional oven. Using quality mature cheese, cold butter, gentle handling and warm serving will give you top results.
Whether a snack, breakfast side, or alongside a soup, these scones hit the savoury comfort zone beautifully.
If you like, I can create a printable PDF of this recipe with step-by-step images and a shopping checklist. Would you like me to prepare that?