Jamie Oliver’s Cheese Scones are warm, fluffy, and savoury baked treats made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, milk, and plenty of cheese. They rise beautifully in the oven, giving you soft centres with golden tops that are perfect for serving with soups, stews, or even as a quick snack.
This recipe usually serves 6–8 and takes about 25–30 minutes from start to finish. In this guide, you’ll learn how to mix the dough gently, shape the scones correctly, and bake them until they’re light, cheesy, and delicious.
What Makes This Recipe Worth Making
- Quick and easy – The dough comes together in minutes and needs no long resting.
- Cheesy and comforting – Packed with cheddar for a rich savoury flavour.
- Perfect texture – Crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy inside.
- Budget-friendly – Uses everyday pantry staples.
- Works for any meal – Great for breakfast, tea time, or alongside hearty dishes.
What Is Jamie Oliver’s Cheese Scones Recipe?
Jamie Oliver’s Cheese Scones are soft, savoury scones made by mixing flour, butter, cheese, milk, and baking powder to create a quick dough that bakes into warm, fluffy pastries. They’re simple to prepare and full of comforting cheesy flavours.
Jamie Oliver Cheese Scones Ingredients List
- 250g self-raising flour
- 60g cold butter, cubed
- 150ml milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- 1 egg for brushing (optional)

More recipes to add to your list
How to Prepare Jamie Oliver Cheese Scones – Simple Steps
1. Preheat the Oven
Set the oven to 200°C (400°F) so it’s hot enough to give the scones a good rise.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and mustard powder. Stir briefly to distribute everything evenly.
3. Rub in the Butter
Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour until the texture resembles breadcrumbs.
4. Add Cheese and Milk
Stir in the grated cheddar, then slowly pour in the milk. Mix gently until a soft dough forms—avoid overworking.
5. Shape the Dough
Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pat it into a 2–3 cm thick round, and cut into circles or triangles.
6. Bake the Scones
Place on a baking tray, brush with egg if using, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and risen.
7. Cool and Serve
Transfer to a rack and let them cool slightly before serving warm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Jamie Oliver Cheese Scones
- Overmixing the dough makes the scones dense instead of fluffy.
- Using warm butter prevents proper layering and rising.
- Flattening the dough too much results in thin scones.
- Adding too much milk can make the dough sticky and heavy.
- Opening the oven during baking can stop them from rising properly.
Delicious Side Dishes to Serve With Jamie Oliver Cheese Scones
- Tomato soup – The cheesy scones pair perfectly with a warm, comforting bowl.
- Herb butter – Melts beautifully on hot scones for extra flavour.
- Green salad – Offers a light, refreshing contrast.
- Scrambled eggs – Makes a hearty breakfast combination.
- Chutney or relish – Adds tanginess to balance the cheese.
Expert Tips to Get Jamie Oliver Cheese Scones Just Right
- Use cold butter – Helps create light, flaky layers.
- Don’t over-knead – Gentle mixing keeps the texture airy.
- Grate cheese finely – Distributes flavour evenly throughout the dough.
- Bake immediately – Prevents the butter from softening too much.
- Use strong cheddar – Gives a richer, more defined cheese taste.
How to Add More Flavour to Jamie Oliver’s Cheese Scones
- Add herbs – Chives, thyme, or parsley add freshness.
- Mix in spices – Paprika or cayenne gives a gentle heat.
- Use mixed cheeses – Cheddar, Parmesan, or Red Leicester bring depth.
- Add garlic powder – Enhances the savoury flavour.
- Use buttermilk – Creates a tangy, richer dough.
How to Adjust Cheese Scones for Kids
Use mild cheddar, skip the mustard powder, and shape the dough into smaller, kid-friendly mini scones for easy snacking.
Are Cheese Scones Gluten-Free?
They can be made gluten-free by using a gluten-free self-raising flour blend and checking that the baking powder is gluten-free.
Best Way to Store Cheese Scones Leftovers
- Wrap in foil or an airtight box – Keeps them soft for 2 days.
- Store at room temperature – Avoid refrigerating as it can dry them out.
- Freeze for longer storage – They freeze well for up to 2 months.
Best Ways to Reheat Cheese Scones Leftovers
- Oven method – Warm at 160°C (320°F) for 5–7 minutes to refresh texture.
- Air fryer – Reheat at 160°C for 3–4 minutes for a crisp top.
- Microwave – Quick but softens the edges; heat for 10–15 seconds.
Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~220
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fat: 11g
- Fibre: 1g
Best Cheese Options for Cheese Scones
Aged cheddar gives the strongest flavour, but you can also use Red Leicester, Parmesan, or a blend for extra richness and colour.
Can I Make Cheese Scones Without eggs?
Yes, the egg is only for brushing. The dough itself contains no egg, so you can simply skip the egg wash or brush with milk instead.
FAQs
Why are my cheese scones not rising properly?
Cheese scones may not rise if the butter was too warm, the dough was overworked, or the oven wasn’t hot enough. Using cold butter and a preheated oven helps create light, fluffy scones.
How do I make my cheese scones more cheesy?
To boost the cheese flavour, use mature cheddar and grate it finely so it melts evenly through the dough. You can also add a small amount of Parmesan for extra depth.
Can I freeze cheese scones before or after baking?
Yes, cheese scones freeze well both before and after baking. For raw dough, freeze the shaped scones on a tray, then bake from frozen by adding a couple of extra minutes. For baked scones, cool completely before freezing.
What is the best flour for making cheese scones?
Self-raising flour works best because it ensures a good rise and keeps the texture light. If using plain flour, add the correct amount of baking powder to achieve a similar result.
Final Words
These cheese scones are warm, fluffy, and full of savoury flavour, making them a reliable choice for breakfast, snacks, or pairing with your favourite soups. With simple ingredients and quick preparation, they’re a recipe you’ll enjoy making again and again.
PrintJamie Oliver Cheese Scones
Jamie Oliver’s Cheese Scones are soft, savoury scones made by mixing flour, butter, cheese, milk, and baking powder to create a quick dough that bakes into warm, fluffy pastries. They’re simple to prepare and full of comforting cheesy flavours.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
- 250g self-raising flour
- 60g cold butter, cubed
- 150ml milk
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- 1 egg for brushing (optional)
Instructions
Set the oven to 200°C (400°F) so it’s hot enough to give the scones a good rise.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and mustard powder. Stir briefly to distribute everything evenly.
Add the cold cubed butter and rub it into the flour until the texture resembles breadcrumbs.
Stir in the grated cheddar, then slowly pour in the milk. Mix gently until a soft dough forms—avoid overworking.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pat into a 2–3 cm thick round, and cut into circles or triangles.
Place on a baking tray, brush with egg if using, and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and risen.
Transfer to a rack and let them cool slightly before serving warm.

