Introduction

These Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Scones offer a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic bakery treat at home. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. Using an air fryer speeds up baking without sacrificing flavor.

A woman's hand is holding a triangular chocolate chip scone that is light golden brown with scattered dark chocolate chips embedded on its surface. In the background, a black air fryer basket is filled with more of these scones, arranged in a single layer, showing their soft, slightly crumbly texture with a warm baked color. Around the air fryer on a white marbled surface, some individual scones and loose chocolate chips are visible, adding to the cozy baked setting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups dark chocolate chips
2 cups cold whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Coarse sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips. Stir well to distribute all ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Pour in the cold whipping cream and gently stir with a wooden spoon until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
Step 3: Lightly flour your work surface and turn the dough out onto it. Knead gently just until the dough holds together, taking care not to overwork it.
Step 4: Divide the dough into three equal portions and shape each into a ball.
Step 5: Flatten each ball into a 7-inch circle with your hands. Cut each circle into 8 equal triangles.
Step 6: Brush the tops of the scones with melted butter, then sprinkle with coarse sugar for a crunchy finish.
Step 7: Preheat your air fryer to 330°F (165°C) for about 3 minutes. Arrange the scones in a single layer with space between them, working in batches if needed.
Step 8: Air fry the scones for 7 minutes. Check that the tops and edges are lightly golden but not overly browned. Adjust time as needed based on your air fryer model.
Step 9: Allow the scones to cool for at least 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

For a citrus twist, add 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest to the dry ingredients.
Use white chocolate chips or a mix of nuts and dried fruit instead of dark chocolate chips for variety.
Keep the cream cold until mixing to help produce flaky, tender scones.
If you prefer a sweeter scone, sprinkle a little extra sugar on top before air frying.
Freeze unbaked scones on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to 1 month. Air fry straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the cooking time.

Storage

Store cooled scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly for up to 1 month. To reheat, warm scones in the air fryer or oven at a low temperature for a few minutes until heated through and crisp on the outside.

How to Serve

Inside a black air fryer basket on a white marbled surface, there are eight triangular scones arranged in a circle. Each scone is light beige in color with many dark chocolate chips scattered evenly throughout. The scones have a slightly rough texture, showing the dough is soft and ready to be baked. Near the air fryer, a light cream-colored cloth is casually placed, adding a soft texture contrast to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cream instead of whipping cream?

Whipping cream works best because of its higher fat content, which helps tenderize the scones. Using regular cream with lower fat may result in less tender texture, but the scones will still turn out edible.

What can I do if my scones are too dry?

Be careful not to overmix or overknead the dough, as this can dry out the scones. Also, make sure the whipping cream is cold to help keep the dough moist. If needed, slightly increase the cream by a tablespoon or two next time.