Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones Recipe

Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones are a quick, practical way to enjoy freshly baked scones without waiting for the oven to heat up. The air fryer gives steady, even heat, helping the scones rise well while staying soft and fluffy inside. These scones are lightly golden on the outside, tender in the middle, and perfect for everyday baking when time is short.

This recipe makes 6–8 scones and takes about 25–30 minutes from start to finish. Below is a detailed, step-by-step guide that focuses on dough handling, rise, and texture so your scones turn out light rather than dense.

What Makes This Recipe Worth Making

• Fast baking time – no full oven required
• Soft, fluffy texture – gentle air fryer heat helps
• Simple ingredients – classic scone cupboard staples
• Small-batch friendly – ideal for fresh baking
• Reliable rise – when handled correctly

What are Jamie Oliver’s Air Fryer Scones?

Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones are traditional British-style scones made with flour, butter, sugar, and milk, baked in an air fryer instead of a conventional oven. The method keeps the scones tender while giving them enough heat to rise properly.

Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones Ingredients List

• 250 g self-raising flour
• 50 g cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 30 g caster sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 150 ml milk
• Extra flour, for dusting
• A little milk, for glazing

How to Prepare Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones – Simple Steps

Step 1: Prepare the dry ingredients

Add the self-raising flour, salt, and caster sugar to a large bowl. Mix well so the sugar is evenly distributed, which helps the scones brown evenly.

Step 2: Rub in the butter

Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Work lightly and quickly to avoid warming the butter, which helps keep the scones light.

Step 3: Add the milk

Make a well in the centre and pour in most of the milk, keeping a little back. Use a knife to bring the mixture together, then gently form a soft dough with your hands. Add a splash more milk only if the dough feels dry.

Step 4: Shape the dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat it out to about 2–3 cm thick. Avoid kneading—overworking the dough will make the scones tough.

Step 5: Cut the scones

Use a round cutter to cut out the scones, pressing straight down without twisting. Twisting seals the edges and can prevent a good rise. Gather any scraps gently and cut more scones.

Step 6: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 170°C for 3 minutes. Line the basket with baking paper, leaving space around the edges for air circulation.

Step 7: Glaze and bake

Brush the tops of the scones lightly with milk. Place them in the basket with a little space between each one. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until well risen and lightly golden on top.

Step 8: Cool briefly before serving

Remove the scones and allow them to cool for 5 minutes on a wire rack. This sets the crumb while keeping it soft inside.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones

• Overworking the dough leads to dense scones
• Warm butter – reduces lift
• Twisting the cutter – prevents an even rise
• Overcrowding the basket – uneven baking

What to Serve With Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones

• Clotted cream – classic and rich
• Strawberry jam – traditional pairing
• Butter – simple and comforting
• Fresh fruit – lighter option

Expert Tips to Get Air Fryer Scones Right

• Use cold ingredients – improves texture
• Handle dough lightly – keeps scones fluffy
• Check early – air fryers vary
• Serve warm – best flavour and texture

How to Add More Flavour to Air Fryer Scones

• Vanilla extract – gentle sweetness
• Lemon zest – fresh lift
• Dried fruit – raisins or sultanas work well
• Light sugar sprinkle on top – extra crunch

Best Way to Store Air Fryer Scones

• Cool completely before storing – avoids moisture
• Airtight container – keeps fresh up to 2 days
• Freeze if needed – best eaten fresh

Best Ways to Reheat Air Fryer Scones

• Air fryer reheating – 2–3 minutes at low heat
• Oven reheating – restores softness
• Avoid microwaving for too long – it can toughen

Nutritional Value (Per Scone)

• Calories: ~210 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~32 g
• Protein: ~5 g
• Fat: ~7 g

FAQs

Why Are My Air Fryer Scones Dense Instead of Light?

Scones turn dense when the dough is overworked or the butter becomes too warm. Gently handling the dough and keeping the butter cold help create steam during baking, which gives scones their light, fluffy texture.

Can I Bake Scones Directly on Air Fryer Paper?

Yes, lining the air fryer basket with baking paper works well, but make sure it doesn’t block airflow. Leaving small gaps around the paper allows hot air to circulate and bake the scones evenly.

Why Didn’t My Scones Rise Properly in the Air Fryer?

Poor rise usually happens if the cutter is twisted or the air fryer isn’t preheated. Pressing the cutter straight down and starting with a hot air fryer helps the scones lift evenly.

Can I Prepare Scone Dough Ahead of Time?

Yes, the dough can be prepared and cut a few hours ahead, then kept covered in the fridge. Baking them cold can actually help improve rise and texture.

Final Words

Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Scones are a dependable way to enjoy fresh baking without effort or delay. Light, fluffy, and easy to make, they fit perfectly into everyday cooking while still delivering the comfort and familiarity that good scones are known for.

Similar recipes to add to your list

• Jamie Oliver Chicken and Leek Stroganoff
• Jamie Oliver Air Fryer Cheesecake
• Jamie Oliver Chicken Thighs and Rice

Print