Scallion Cheesy Scones

These scallion cheesy scones are the bomb!

Recently I read about cheesy drop biscuits (the American name for scones) that taste like sour cream and onion chips …!

OMG. The description alone was enough to make me salivate.

Now, the original recipe by Sue Li uses chives and an oven. But since I only had scallions on hand, and I don’t have an oven right now, I turned to my trusty air fryer.

The result? OMG SOOO GOOD.

The combination of cheese and scallions did create a sour cream and onion flavour. And using air fryer turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it gave the scones a crispness that even the oven might not achieve!

That I ended up making them again just one day later.

What makes these scallion cheesy scones so irresistible?

Cheese, scallions, and lots of butter. A winning combo, if there ever was one.

Then there’s the crispy golden crust — perfectly achieved in the air fryer — and that soft, fluffy interior that practically melts in your mouth. Every bite feels comforting and indulgent, yet surprisingly easy to make.

And the best part? You just dump everything in one bowl. No pastry cutter, no waiting around, no stress. Just mix, form into rough dough balls, and air fry! The whole process takes less than half an hour, and the payoff is huge.

Here’s how I make these easy-peasy scallion cheesy scones

Grate some salty hard cheese.

Cut COLD butter into small cubes.

In a big mixing bowl, rub the butter into flour and baking powder until crumbly.

Toss in cheese and chopped scallions, then add milk; just enough to bring it all together.

Shape into rough dough balls, place them on foil in your air fryer basket, and spray lightly with oil.

Air fry at 180°C for 18–20 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

Serve these scallion cheesy scones warm with (yes) even more butter.

These scones are dangerously addictive.

Trust me, once you make them, you’ll want another batch tomorrow — just like I did.

For another simple one-bowl snack, check out my chocolate banana bread

Air-fryer Scallion Cheesy Scones

These air fryer scallion cheesy scones are my easy twist on Sue Li’s viral NYT “sour cream and onion” biscuits — crispy outside, soft inside, and packed with buttery, cheesy goodness.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Mixing bowl, air fryer

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 baking powder
• 50 g cold unsalted butter cubed
• 1/4 cup grated cheese Parmesan or cheddar
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• A few tablespoons of milk add slowly
• Light oil spray

Instructions

 

• In a large bowl, mix flour and baking powder.
• Rub cold butter into the mixture until crumbly.
• Stir in cheese and scallions, then add milk gradually until the dough just comes together.
• Shape into rough balls and place on a foil-lined, lightly oiled air fryer basket.
• Spray the tops with a little oil and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve warm with more butter.

Notes

1. Can you really make scones in an airfryer?

Yes! Airfryers mimic a mini convection oven, circulating hot air to create a golden, crispy crust. Scones actually turn out beautifully — sometimes even crispier than oven-baked ones.

2. What’s the difference between scones and biscuits?

In the US, these are often called drop biscuits. In the UK and Commonwealth countries, the same dough is known as scones. Both use flour, butter, and a leavening agent, and both rely on cold butter for flakiness.

3. What cheese works best for this recipe?

Salty, firm cheeses like cheddar, parmesan and pecorino romano work best because they hold their shape and flavour while melting slightly.

5. Why must the butter be cold?

Cold butter melts slowly during airfrying, creating tiny steam pockets that make the scones flaky and tender. Warm or melted butter will lead to dense, greasy scones.

6. My dough looks rough. Is that okay?

Yes! Drop biscuits/scones don’t require a smooth dough. A shaggy, rough dough is perfect — overmixing makes them tough.

7. How do I prevent my scones from becoming dry?

Don’t overmix. Add just enough milk for the dough to come together. Airfry until lightly golden — not dark brown. And don’t crowd the basket; good airflow = even cooking.

8. Can I substitute milk with something else?

Yes, you can use buttermilk, yogurt (thinned with a little water), cream or plant milk. 

9. Can I store or freeze the scones?

Yes. Store at room temp for 1–2 days. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the airfryer at 160°C for 3–4 minutes.

10. Can I freeze the dough instead?

Absolutely — portion the dough into balls and freeze. Airfry straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes until golden.

Keyword air-fryer