Air Fryer Fruit Scones are classic soft and fluffy British scones packed full of juicy raisins. It’s so easy to make a small batch of fruit scones in your air fryer and they are delicious.
Why make Air Fryer Fruit Scones?
If I have a choice of scones then I’ll usually choose a fruit scone. I love dried fruit and the combination of sweet raisins in a soft crumbly scone with butter and jam is one of my favourite treats. Scones are best eaten the day they are made, so a small batch made in your air fryer means they are fresh every time.
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a bit like a mini oven. However, the element is only at the top of the air fryer and it uses a powerful fan to circulate the heat. This combination of intense heat and circulation means that food crisps up quickly.
Air fryers were originally sold for their ability to create ‘fried’ food with less fat. But the air fryer has developed and more people are recognising the potential to cook and bake all kinds of foods in this way.
Why should I bake fruit scones in my air fryer?
An air fryer is really convenient for small quantities. Compared to your oven, an air fryer will heat up quickly due to the smaller size and the fan. And cooking in an air fryer is about half the cost of cooking in a standard oven. You bake scones at high heat and the circulating heat in the air fryer helps to ensure they bake evenly all over.
What kind of air fryer can I use to bake fruit scones?
You will need the kind of air fryer that has temperature control as well as a timer and no paddle. Otherwise, any air fryer brand should do the job very well.
My air fryer is the kind with a pull-out square drawer and it needs to be pre-heated before use. I’ve also made scones in an oven-style air fryer. If you have a different kind of air fryer you may need to adjust the timing or temperature by a minute or two either way.
What ingredients do I need for Air Fryer Scones?
You probably have most of the ingredients you need to make fruit scones in your larder and fridge. Here is what you need:
- self raising flour
- baking powder
- salt
- butter
- caster (superfine) sugar
- raisins or sultanas
- milk
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
I don’t have self-raising flour what can I substitute?
If you don’t have self-raising flour you can make it at home using plain (all-purpose flour) and baking powder.
This recipe uses 150g self-raising flour therefore you need to add one and a half teaspoons baking powder to plain (all-purpose) flour. This gives you self-raising flour, you will still need to include the additional baking powder as listed in the recipe.
What is baking powder?
Baking powder is a chemical raising agent that is a combination of bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar. To make homemade baking powder combine ¼ of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with ½ a teaspoon of cream of tartar for every teaspoon of baking powder your chosen baking recipe requires.
Can I use baking spread instead of butter for the air fryer fruit scones?
You can use baking spread to make Air fryer Fruit Scones. You can also use other vegetable spreads as long as they are full fat. Spreadable butter and low-fat spreads are not suitable as they contain a high proportion of water that will affect the recipe.
Can I substitute granulated sugar for caster sugar?
You can use granulated sugar but it doesn’t dissolve as easily as caster sugar. So if you use it then be aware that there may be a slight gritty texture to your scones.
What are raisins?
Raisins are dried grapes. In most countries, including the UK, raisins and sultanas are identified as different types of dried fruit. However, in the US, the term “raisin” is applied to both raisins and sultanas. But sultanas are referred to as “golden” raisins.
I use raisins for my Air Fryer fruit scones but you can also make sultana or golden raisin scones. The terms may be confusing but both are delicious. Which you use is down to personal preference and what you have available in your larder.
What kind of milk should I use?
I use whole milk or semi-skimmed milk in these scones. However, you can use any milk that you have in the fridge.
Although I have not tried plant milk in this recipe, there is no reason why it should not work just as well as dairy milk. I recommend that you try out different types of plant milk to find your own favourite as the flavour and richness of the milk will influence the taste of the scones.
Can I make Air Fryer Fruit Scones ahead of time?
Scones are best eaten the same day you make them. If you want to get ahead then I recommend that you make up the scone mixture to the breadcrumb stage and store it in the fridge in an airtight container until you plan to make your Air fryer Fruit Scones.
You can store the mix in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. The scones only take 11 minutes to bake so it’s great to have some scone mix ready to go.
Can I freeze Air Fryer Fruit Scones?
Scones freeze really well and it’s an ideal way to store baked scones. Let the scones cool completely on a cooling rack before freezing them in a freezer-proof container or freezer bag.
You can store them for up to 3 months without deterioration. Defrost on a cooling tray covered with a clean tea towel. Or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
Can I make more than four scones?
I can fit four scones cut with a 6 cm (2 1/2 in) cutter into my air fryer and maybe a little extra one made from the last of the trimmings! If I cut them with a smaller cutter then I can definitely fit in more scones.
If you plan to make a batch of 8 scones or more then it’s probably more efficient to bake them in the oven at 200C (400F) for 10 minutes. Unless you have a larger air fryer or a double-drawer model which allows you to bake more!
Tips for making great scones!
I’ve never had any problems baking scones but I know that some people struggle, so here are some of the tips I have learned that will help you to get the best scones:
- Rub the butter or baking spread thoroughly into the flour (or whizz in a food processor) the result should look like fine breadcrumbs
- Add the milk slowly until you get a soft slightly sticky dough. You may need slightly more or less than the recipe suggests because different flours absorb liquid at a different rate.
- Do not overmix. Gently bring together the mixture and roll or pat it into a thick round before cutting out the scones.
- Do not twist your scone cutter, this seals the edges of the dough and stops the scones from rising. Press straight down and lift, if you dust the cutter with flour it will lift off easily.
Safety Note
Do not put the baking parchment into the air fryer when preheating your air fryer. The paper will rise up with the air circulation and burn on the heating element. Once the air fryer is preheated it is safe to put in the parchment and place the scones on top. The weight of the scones will hold down the paper and it is perfectly safe.
Vegetarian
Air fryer Fruit Scones are suitable for vegetarians.
Gluten Free
This scone recipe contains wheat flour and is not suitable for a gluten-free diet. Try this recipe for Gluten Free Fruit Scones from Coeliac UK.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Air Fryer Fruit Scones?
Air Fryer Fruit scones are delicious served warm with butter, or with butter and jam. Use a jam with a good rich flavour like Blackcurrant Jam or Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam.
Fruit scones are a quick bread so are ideal to serve for breakfast or brunch. If you like a bit of sweet and savoury then a slice of mature cheddar is a perfect pairing with a fruit scone. It makes a nice snack or include a scone in your packed lunch.
Of course, scones are an integral part of a classic afternoon tea. If you want to make a more elegant impression then cut the scones with a smaller cutter and load them with jam and cream.
More Air Fryer Scones and Bakes
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Air Fryer Fruit Scones
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Food Processor optional
- Measuring spoons
- weighing scales
- medium bowl
- measuring jug
- small bowl
- blunt knife
- 6 cm (2.5 in) plain edge pastry cutter
- baking parchment
- Pastry brush
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
- 150 grams self raising flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 40 grams butter
- 25 grams caster sugar superfine
- 30 g raisins or sultanas
- 80 ml milk
- 1 tbsp self-raising flour for dusting
Instructions
- Weigh 150 g (1 ¼ cups) self-raising flour into a medium bowl, add ½ tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt. Add 40 g (3 tbsp) butter cut into small cubes.
- Rub the butter through the flour with gentle movements until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. OR use a food processor to combine the ingredients.
- Add the 25 grams of caster (superfine) sugar and 30 g raisins or sultanas and stir through the mixture.
- Pre heat the air fryer.
- Add 80 ml milk to the mixture and use the blunt knife to stir the mixture together, just enough to combine ( you may need a little less or a little more milk) Then turn the mixture out onto a floured surface.
- Knead the dough quickly and lightly, then pat the dough out into a flat disk about 2.5 cm (1 in ) deep.
- Use a plain 6 cm (2½ in) cutter to cut out four scones. Pat the dough back together gently so you can use all the dough. You may have a little dough left over but not enough for another full size scone.
- Put a piece of baking parchment in the base of your air fryer and place four scones, spread apart, onto the baking parchment.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of the scones with a little extra milk.
- Close the air fryer and set to 185C (365F). Bake the scones for 11 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and cool for at least 5 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Serve the scones split with butter and jam.
Lesley says
What a great recipe, light and fluffy scones baked in minutes, so easy in the air fryer. I enjoyed mine warm with some butter and bramble jelly.
Janice Pattie says
Thanks, Lesley. That’s exactly how I like my scones.
Cat says
Well this is going to be dangerous. I’m going to be whipping these up all the time now! Love the ease of using my air fryer and they’re so tasty!
Janice Pattie says
It really is dangerous! But what a treat.
Chloe says
I am slowly coming around to fruit scones, I must finally be growing up. Cooking them in the air fryer is so easy, I love this method. Great tip about the baking parchment, I made that mistake only the once!
Janice Pattie says
Fruit Scones for the win! Yes, I think every air fryer owner has smelled burning parchment at some point!
Shaun says
Gotta admit, I was not convinced when I first saw this recipe. Scones in an air fryer? What insanity is this? But having now made them, I am a convert. These were lovely, surprisingly airy and delicious little scones that only took about half an hour to make. I will definitely be making them again!
Janice Pattie says
I am so pleased you enjoyed the AF scones. I hope you’ll try the cheese scones too, they are my favourites!
jayne redpath says
Thank you for the recipe I am trying out my new air fryer and tried this recipe , but the scones although tasted great came out more like biscuits they did not rise at all so can you tell me what I am doing wrong also do I use the air fryer button or the bake button , please help JAYNE
Janice Pattie says
Hi Jane, it’s quite difficult to know what the issue would be. Here’s some things you could try:
a) check that your baking powder is in date
b) handle the scone dough very gently and only pat out, don’t roll.
c) scones don’t actually rise all that much so make sure you cut them 2.5 cm (1in) deep.
d) cut straight down with your cutter. If you twist you seal the edges and the scones can’t rise as much.
e) make sure you preheat your air fryer.
I don’t have a bake setting on my air fryer but if it’s designed for baking then that definitely seems like the one to use.
Hope that helps.
Mez says
Made these for our morning tea turned out great well risen and light and fluffy thank you for this recipe it is a keeper for sure
Janice Pattie says
I am so pleased that you enjoyed the scones.