Scones bake beautifully in the air fryer — tall, golden and ready in 12 minutes, no need to heat the big oven for a batch of six. The secret to a good rise is a light touch. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make scones in an air fryer?
A: Make a light dough, cut out rounds, and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10–12 minutes, until risen and golden.
Q: How do you get a good rise?
A: Handle the dough as little as possible and don't twist the cutter.
The method
Rub cold butter into self-raising flour, stir in milk to a soft dough, and handle it as little as possible — overworking makes scones tough and flat. Cut out rounds with a straight push (don't twist the cutter, which seals the edges), brush with milk or egg, and air fry until risen and golden.
The recipe
Air Fryer Scones
Ingredients
- 250g self-raising flour
- 50g cold butter
- 30g sugar, 120ml milk
- Milk or egg to glaze
Method
- Rub butter into flour; stir in sugar and milk.
- Pat out; cut rounds without twisting.
- Glaze the tops.
- Air fry at 180°C for 10–12 minutes.
Tips
- Don't overwork the dough.
- Don't twist the cutter — push straight down.
- Glaze the tops for golden colour.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make scones in an air fryer?
Make a light dough, cut out rounds without twisting the cutter, glaze the tops, and air fry at 180°C for 10–12 minutes until risen and golden.
How do you get scones to rise well?
Handle the dough as little as possible, keep the butter cold, and cut with a straight downward push — twisting the cutter seals the edges and stops them rising.
Can you make cheese scones the same way?
Yes — leave out the sugar, stir grated cheese into the dough, and follow the same method.