Air Fryer Scones
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Air Fryer Scones are one of my favorite ways to enjoy a warm, buttery morning treat without heating up the oven. They come out golden on the outside, tender and soft with a light, delicate crumb, and the cold butter in the dough makes every bite rich and comforting. Warm from the air fryer with jam on the side, they’re absolutely perfect.
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I make these for weekend brunches, Mother’s Day, and holiday mornings like Christmas and Easter when I want a homemade baked good that feels special and looks beautiful on the table. They also make wonderful gifts and are perfect for afternoon tea spreads. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Scones with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
These come together faster than you’d think, and the technique is what makes all the difference between scones you’re proud of and ones you forget about. Whether you’re making scones for the first time or the fiftieth, keeping your butter cold and your work surface lightly floured are the two things that matter most.
Mix the Dry Ingredients and Cut in the Butter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and work it into the flour with your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter throughout.
A pastry cutter makes this step so much easier and keeps the butter from warming up too fast in your hands. For even flakier results, try using frozen butter grated on a box grater instead of cubing it by hand.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and egg. Gently stir with a spatula until the dough just comes together. It should be thick and a little sticky, which is exactly what you want.
Knead and Fold the Scone Dough
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface or a silicone baking mat and knead just until the flour is fully incorporated. I use this silicone baking mat to make cleanup a breeze and give me a non-stick surface that’s perfect for this step.
Don’t overwork it. If it’s sticking too much, dust with a little extra all-purpose flour. To build those signature flaky layers, gently fold the dough in half, press it down, and rotate it 90 degrees.
Repeat the folding and turning process 4 to 5 times until you have a soft dough that’s smooth and workable. If you want to mix things up, fold in fresh blueberries or cheese at this stage for a fun variation on the classic.
Shape and Chill
Shape the dough into a round disc about 8 to 10 inches wide and 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Pop it in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes to let the butter firm back up. This short chill makes a big difference in how the layers hold up in the air fryer.
Cut Into Wedges
Once chilled, cut the dough into 8 even wedges using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. I love using a sharp chef’s knife for this because it gives you those clean, precise cuts that make each wedge look like it came straight from a bakery.
You can also use a round cookie cutter if you prefer the classic circular scone shape. Place the scones in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined tray that fits your air fryer basket, leaving a few inches of space between each one so the hot air can circulate properly.
Air Fry the Scones
Bake in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the scones are cooked through. I swear by my air fryer with a wide basket for this because the consistent heat circulation gives you that even, golden bake on every single scone.
Let them cool on a wire rack before serving so the bottoms don’t steam and go soft. Before air frying, lightly brush tops with a little milk and sprinkle with demerara sugar for a bakery-style finish.
Serve and Enjoy
Plate your Air Fryer Scones while they’re still warm and serve them with clotted cream, whipped cream, jam, honey, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a simple, elegant finish. For an afternoon tea spread, a 3-tier serving tray makes them look beautiful alongside finger sandwiches and a pot of tea.
Top them with fresh strawberries and a dollop of cream for a stunning summer presentation. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Scones travel really well, so don’t hesitate to bring them to a brunch, bake sale, or afternoon tea gathering. Let them completely cool first, then stack them in portable containers with a sheet of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together on the way there.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use your hands or a pastry cutter to work it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup cold unsalted butter
- Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and egg. Gently stir with a spatula until the dough comes together. It should be thick and a bit sticky.½ cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface or a silicone mat. Knead just until the flour is fully incorporated—avoid overworking it. If it’s too sticky, add a little extra flour as needed.
- To create those signature flaky layers, fold the dough in half, press it down gently, and rotate it 90 degrees. Repeat this folding and turning process 4 to 5 times.
- Shape the dough into a round disc, about 8 to 10 inches wide and 1.5 to 2 inches thick. Chill in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes to help the butter firm back up.
- Once chilled, cut the dough into 8 even wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Place the scones on a parchment-lined baking sheet that fits your air fryer, leaving a few inches between each one.
- Bake in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden and the scones are cooked through. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Keep the butter cold: Cold butter is the key to flaky layers. If the butter starts warming up while you’re working with it, pop the whole bowl in the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Stir the wet ingredients in just until the dough comes together. Overworking it develops the gluten, making your scones tough instead of tender.
- Use the fold-and-turn technique: Folding and rotating the dough 4 to 5 times creates those distinct, pull-apart layers. Don’t skip this step even if it feels fussy.
- Chill before cutting: That 5 to 10-minute fridge rest after shaping lets the butter firm back up, so the layers hold their shape during air frying and don’t spread flat.
- Give them space in the air fryer: Leave a few inches between each scone so the hot air can circulate fully around them, giving you an even, golden bake on every wedge.
- Flash-freeze for easy storage: If you’re freezing a full batch, lay the scones on a flat surface and freeze for 1 hour before transferring them to a container so they don’t stick together.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Once your scones have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, wrap each scone individually in plastic wrap and place them into a freezer-safe glass container, then freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed through and the edges crisp back up. Thaw frozen scones overnight at room temperature before reheating for best results.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Scones
They’re wonderful alongside a hot cup of tea or coffee, and they pair beautifully with clotted cream and strawberry jam for a classic cream tea spread. You can also serve them with lemon curd, honey butter, or a simple vanilla glaze drizzled over the top for something a little more indulgent.
For a full brunch spread, set them out alongside fresh fruit, a fruit salad, yogurt parfaits, or a warm egg dish. They hold their own as the star of the table but are also happy playing a supporting role next to something savory like a vegetable frittata or a bowl of creamy tomato soup.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you enjoyed these scones, I know you’ll love these other air fryer recipes too.
