Air Fryer Cheese Scones – Crispy Outside, Soft Inside

These Air Fryer Cheese Scones are quick, easy, and packed with cheesy flavor. They have a golden, crispy outside and a soft, fluffy center. The best part is that they can be ready in less than 10 minutes, including preparation time. They make a wonderful breakfast, snack, or side dish. Serve them warm with butter, jam, or your favorite topping for a delicious treat.

Preparation Details

• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 9 minutes

Kitchen Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Biscuit Cutter or Drinking Glass
• Pastry Brush or Oil Spray

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• Pinch of salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon seasoning of your choice
• Garlic powder (as preferred)
• Italian seasoning (used in this recipe)
• Ranch seasoning blend (used in this recipe)
• 2 tablespoons minced chives (optional)
• 2 tablespoons bacon crumbles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If you prefer using an oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, salt, and your chosen seasonings. Mix everything together well so the ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Milk

Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl and stir it into the flour mixture.

Slowly pour in the milk a little at a time while mixing. This helps prevent the dough from becoming too wet. Continue mixing until a soft dough forms.

Do not overmix the dough because this can make the scones dense and tough instead of light and fluffy.

Step 4: Shape the Scones

Lightly sprinkle flour onto your work surface.

Place the dough on the floured surface and gently knead it for about 10 to 15 seconds.

Use a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out round scones. You can also shape the dough by hand into round patties about ¾ inch thick.

Step 5: Air Fry the Scones

Place the shaped scones into the air fryer basket or tray. Leave a little space between each one so the air can circulate properly.

Lightly spray the tops with oil.

Cook for 3 minutes on one side, then carefully flip them over and cook for another 3 minutes until golden brown.

The air fryer creates a crispy outer layer while keeping the inside soft, warm, and full of melted cheese.

Step 6: Oven Method

If baking in the oven, place the scones on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the tops become golden brown.

Step 7: Serve

Serve the scones warm with butter, jam, or any topping you enjoy. They taste best fresh from the air fryer or oven.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra-tall bakery-style scones, double all the ingredients.
• Make the dough about twice as thick before cooking.
• Add approximately 3 extra minutes to the cooking time when making thicker scones.
• Add chives or bacon crumbles for extra flavor.
• Avoid adding all the milk at once to keep the dough from becoming too soft.
• Do not overwork the dough if you want soft and tender scones.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 219 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 19mg
• Sodium: 65mg
• Potassium: 53mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 5g
• Vitamin A: 225 IU
• Calcium: 19mg
• Iron: 1mg

Nutrition Note: These values are estimates and should be used as a general guide. For precise dietary information, calculate the nutrition using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Short Recipe

Description

Quick and easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones with a crispy golden crust and a soft, cheesy center. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or serving alongside soups and salads.

Duration

• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 9 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• Pinch of salt
• ½ tsp seasoning of choice
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Ranch seasoning blend
• 2 tbsp minced chives (optional)
• 2 tbsp bacon crumbles (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) or oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Slowly add the milk and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Gently knead the dough for 10–15 seconds on a lightly floured surface.
6. Cut into rounds using a biscuit cutter or shape by hand.
7. Place in the air fryer basket, spray lightly with oil, and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
8. For oven baking, place on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes.
9. Serve warm with butter, jam, or your favorite topping.

These air fryer cheese scones are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and they only take less than 10 minutes to make, including prep time. Serve them with some butter and jam for a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack.

PREPRATION TIME:

PREP TIME:  3 minutes

COOK TIME:  6 minutes

TOTAL TIME:  6 minutes

Kitchen Gadgets:

• Air Fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• Pinch of salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp seasoning of choice. I used garlic powder, italian seasoning and ranch seasoning blend.
• 2 Tbsp minced chives (optional)
• 2 TBS Bacon crumbles (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The first thing you need to do is preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 C) or oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Then, in a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, ½  teaspoon of seasoning of choice, and garlic powder. I used Italian seasoning and Ranch seasoning blend.
3. Stir in 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese and then add ½ cup of milk. Add milk in small amounts at a time, to ensure the mix is not too watery. Mix everything together until it forms a soft dough. Be careful not to overmix the dough or your scones will be tough.
4. Next, on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 10-15 seconds. Then use a biscuit cutter (or a glass) to cut out round shapes from the dough. Or using your hands, form a patty of a round shape you like, about ¾ inch thick.
5. Air fry: Place the rounds directly on air fryer basket (or tray) ensuring they are not touching each other. Spritz each scone with oil spray. Air fry 3 minutes per side, or until they’re golden brown.
6. The air fryer gives the scones a crispy exterior, while the cheese stays melty and gooey on the inside.
7. Bake in the oven: Place the rounds on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until they’re golden brown.
8. Serve warm with butter and jam (or your favorite toppings). Enjoy!

Notes

Height. If you would like really tall scones like you see in magazines, then double the ingredients and then double the thickness of the dough as you add the scones to the air fryer. Then add 3 extra minutes of cook time.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 225IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition Info Please Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.