Air Fryer Recipe
Air Fryer Savoury Cheese and Chive Scones
Cheese and chive scones are a delightful treat with their golden tops and soft, herb-flecked interiors. The air fryer is ideal for these scones as it quickly dries the surface, encouraging a crisp edge and a good rise before the butter and cheese melt into the crumb.
Ingredients
- 250g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp English mustard powder, optional
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, optional
- 60g cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 120g mature Cheddar, coarsely grated, plus 20g extra for topping
- 2 tbsp finely snipped fresh chives
- 130ml whole milk, cold, plus 1 tbsp extra for brushing
- 1 medium egg
- 1 tsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar, optional
Method
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes.
- Line the basket with perforated parchment.
- Put the self-raising flour, baking powder, salt, mustard powder, and paprika or cayenne into a wide bowl and whisk for 20 seconds.
- Add the cold butter cubes and rub them into the flour until the mixture looks like uneven breadcrumbs.
- Stir in 120g grated Cheddar and the chives.
- Beat the egg with 130ml cold milk. If using lemon juice or vinegar, stir it into the milk first and leave it for 2 minutes, then add the egg.
- Pour most of the liquid into the flour mixture, holding back about 1 tbsp. Mix until shaggy clumps form.
- Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and bring it together with your hands. Pat it into a rectangle about 2.5cm thick, fold it in half once, then pat it back to 2.5cm.
- Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, pressing straight down without twisting.
- Brush the tops lightly with milk, then sprinkle with the remaining 20g Cheddar.
- Arrange the scones in the air fryer basket with at least 2cm between them.
- Cook at 180°C for 8 minutes, then reduce to 170°C and cook for 3–5 minutes more, until deeply golden and risen.
- Transfer to a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
