How to Bake Savory Scones: A Simple Guide for Delicious Snacks
Scones are a classic treat that everyone loves to eat, whether they’re sweet or savory. While sweet scones are often paired with jam and cream, savory scones are perfect as snacks, served with soup, or eaten on their own. They’re easy to make and super versatile, so you can customize them with your favorite ingredients like cheese, herbs, or bacon. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a simple step-by-step recipe for baking savory scones at home. Don’t worry if you’re new to baking—this recipe is easy and beginner-friendly!
What Are Savory Scones?
Savory scones are similar to biscuits or bread, but they’re packed with salty, herby, or cheesy flavors. They have a soft, crumbly texture and can be flavored with almost any ingredient you like. Unlike sweet scones, there’s no sugar involved. Instead, these scones rely on savory, bold toppings and mix-ins to bring them to life.
The recipe we’re sharing today uses cheddar cheese, chives, and a pinch of spices for flavor, but you can get creative by adding extras like cooked bacon, spinach, or even sun-dried tomatoes. Whether you eat them warm or cool, savory scones will impress your family and friends every time!
What You’ll Need to Make Savory Scones
Before you start baking, make sure you have all of your ingredients ready. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (115g) cold, unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped chives (or any fresh herbs you like)
- ½ cup cold milk (plus extra for brushing)
- Optional extras: Cooked bacon bits, spinach, or dried herbs.
Tools:
- A large mixing bowl
- A pastry blender or fork (to mix the butter into the flour)
- A baking tray
- Parchment paper
Step-by-Step Recipe for Savory Scones
Follow these simple steps to bake delicious savory scones:
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
Before you start, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), so it’s nice and hot when the scones are ready to bake. Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Take your butter out of the fridge and cut it into small cubes—it needs to be cold to create a flaky texture in the scones. Grate the cheese and chop the chives or herbs. Keep your milk in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
3. Add the Butter
Add the cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or a fork to mix the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. The butter pieces should be small but not fully blended. (If you don’t have a pastry blender, you can use your hands—just work quickly to avoid warming the butter.)
4. Add Cheese and Herbs
Now it’s time to add the flavorful ingredients! Stir in the grated cheese and chopped chives (or other herbs). Mix well so the cheese and herbs are evenly spread throughout the dough.
5. Add Milk and Form the Dough
Pour the cold milk into the flour mixture, and gently stir everything together with a spoon or spatula. Be careful not to overmix—you just want the dough to come together. If the dough looks too dry, you can add a tiny bit more milk (a teaspoon at a time) until it holds together.
Once the dough is formed, turn it out onto a clean surface and gently pat it into a round shape, about 1 inch thick.
6. Cut the Scones
Use a round cookie cutter or a knife to cut out scones from the dough. Place them on the prepared baking tray about 1 inch apart. If you want, you can brush the tops with a little milk to help them turn golden-brown in the oven.
7. Bake the Scones
Place the baking tray in your preheated oven and bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the scones are golden-brown. Keep an eye on them—every oven is a bit different, and you don’t want to overbake them.
8. Cool and Serve
Once the scones are baked, pull them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. You can enjoy them warm or at room temperature. Pair them with butter, cream cheese, or just eat them as they are!
Tips for Perfect Savory Scones
- Don’t overmix: Mixing too much can make your scones dense instead of fluffy. Handle the dough lightly for the best texture.
- Use cold butter and milk: Keeping these ingredients cold helps your dough stay flaky and soft.
- Experiment with flavors: Try mixing in cooked ham, jalapeños, or your favorite spices to create unique combinations.
Savory scones are an easy and tasty treat you can whip up in less than an hour. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even alongside a hearty soup or stew for dinner. Once you try this recipe, you’ll see how fun it is to play around with ingredients and create your own flavor combinations. Happy baking!
