These Perfect Air Fryer Cheese Scones are about the easiest way to make a great tasting scone from scratch.
Made with a flaky light dough and gouda cheese, these scones are really the perfect comfort food featuring a savory 'biscuit' filled with buttery cheesy flavors in every bite.

What you will read about in this recipe.
Why you will love this easy air fryer scones recipe
This is a quick and easy recipe for making great tasting scones from scratch.
Here is what else you will like about this recipe.
- Making this recipe in an air fryer means that you can make it in batches rather than all at once (perfect for a breakfast for two!).
- Scones can be served any time of the day- from breakfast to a side with dinner!
- These scones are the perfect alternative to the usual roll or biscuit.
- Leftover scones taste great the next day as is or with a bit of jam on top!
Have you tried my recipe for Air Fryer Cheddar Bay Biscuits- Copycat Red Lobster?
Made with buttermilk and cheddar cheese, those easy to make biscuits are buttery and cheesy with a hint of garlic. Both these scones and those biscuit are great tasting bread recipes that can be made in an air fryer.
Mustard Powder is used in making scones to help bind the fats and liquids together to make a better texture, for flavor balance, and to add a pop of color. You can find Mustard Powder here.

What you need to make Scones.
- Self Rising Flour. Used in this recipe to make soft, tender, and "short" (crumbly) scones. Also, this kind of flour works well in an air fryer when making scones.
- Baking Powder. Adds additional 'fluffiness' to the scones.
- Smoked Paprika Adds a nice flavor to these scones.
- Mustard Powder Plays an important role in the texture of these rolls.
- Butter. Use chilled butter that has been cut into cubes. I prefer unsalted in this recipe.
- Gouda Cheese Freshly and finely grated preferred plus additional Gouda that is coarsely grated.
- Milk. Full fat whole milk offers the best moisture for this recipe. You will need additional milk for brushing on to the scones before air fryer.
- Optional. Chopped Chives
How to make scones in an air fryer.

- Prep Time 15 minutes .
- Air Fry Time 15-17 minutes .
- Servings 12 scones .
- How to serve : Serve warm as is or with a bit of jam on top.
- Notes: You will need a bowl, whisk, rubber spatula. a biscuit cutter or similar item, pastry brush, an a liner.
- Dough. In a mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine together the self-rising flour, baking powder, mustard powder, and paprika. Once combined, add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your hands to work the ingredients together until the dough resembles 'breadcrumbs'. Then use a rubber spatula or similar item to fold in the finely grated cheese .
- Milk. Use a spoon or your hands to make a well in the center of the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Pour the milk into the well and gently mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Cut. Lightly flour a clean workspace and then transfer the dough to the workspace. Roll the dough flat to about 1" thick. Use a biscuit cutter or similar item to cut the dough into scones.
- Prepare. Preheat your air fryer at 180°C (356°F) for about five minutes.
- Air Fry. Place an airfryer-safe liner into the basket of your air fryer. You can spray the liner with nonstick or oil. Then place the scones into the air fryer basket, leaving space between the scones for rise. Use a pastry or similar kind of brush to brush the tops of the scones with a small amount of milk and then sprinkle the remaining (coarse) cheese on top. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until the scones are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Cool. Allow the scones to set and cool on a cooling rack before serving.

Tips for making the best scones.
Your butter and milk should be cold. This will help to create a flaky texture in your scones.
More helpful tips for you.
- When combining the ingredients together, avoid overworking the dough as overworking the dough can affect the airy texture making it more dense. Instead, mix the dough until just combined.
- Using a biscuit cutter to cut your scones from the dough will ensure that the scones are similar in size. This will allow them to air fry uniformly.
- There needs to be room between the scones in the air fryer to allow the air to circulate and to allow for expansion. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to make this recipe in batches.
FAQ
- Can I make these scones ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before air frying. - What if I do not have self-rising flour on hand? If you don't have self-raising flour, you can use all purpose flour and add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt per cup of flour. .
- Can I make this recipe in a regular oven? You can bake these scones in a conventional oven at 180°C (356°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Variations.
- For additional flavors you can add a pinch of herbs like thyme or rosemary or seasonings such as garlic powder or ground cinnamon.
- Use another kind of cheese, with or instead, of the Gouda cheese. 'Mature' cheeses, such as cheddar as long as it is not mild. Other kinds of cheese that can work include Red Leicester, Parmesan, or no cheese at all
- Consider adding chopped chives, bacon bits, or sun-dried tomatoes to customize your scones.

How to store scones.
Once they have fully cooled, you can store your scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days. These scones can also be frozen for up to a few months. They can be reheated in the air fryer or oven.
You may also be interested in these air fryer recipes.
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Print the recipe for Air fryer cheese scones
Perfect Air Fryer Cheese Scones
Ingredients
- 2½ cups Self Rising Flour.
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 6 tablespoon Butter. -Chilled butter that has been cut into cubes.
- 1 cup Gouda Cheese Freshly and finely grated
- 2 tablespoon Gouda -Coarsely grated.
- ⅔ cup Milk.
Optional: chopped parsley or chives.
Instructions
- Dough. In a mixing bowl, use a whisk to combine together the self-rising flour, baking powder, mustard powder, and paprika. Once combined, add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your hands to work the ingredients together until the dough resembles 'breadcrumbs'. Then use a rubber spatula or similar item to fold in the finely grated cheese .
- Milk. Use a spoon or your hands to make a well in the center of the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Pour the milk into the well and gently mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Cut. Lightly flour a clean workspace and then transfer the dough to the workspace. Roll the dough flat to about 1" thick. Use a biscuit cutter or similar item to cut the dough into scones.
- Prepare. Preheat your air fryer at 180°C (356°F) for about five minutes.
- Air Fry. Place an airfryer-safe liner into the basket of your air fryer. You can spray the liner with nonstick or oil. Then place the scones into the air fryer basket, leaving space between the scones for rise. Use a pastry or similar kind of brush to brush the tops of the scones with a small amount of milk and then sprinkle the remaining (coarse) cheese on top. Air fry for 10-12 minutes or until the scones are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Cool. Allow the scones to set and cool on a cooling rack before serving
Recipe Notes
Also, please see the actual recipe post for further details on this recipe. Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used. See theairfryingdiva.com for details on this recipe.
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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Perfect Air Fryer Cheese Scones , Learn how to air fry flaky, buttery scones with a bold, sharp cheddar flavor every time.
Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe.

