Well, the scones are sort of healthy. They are definitely more nutritious than many scones, and they also taste amazingly good. The secret is oatmeal. The dough for the scones is mixed up in the food processor, which helps grind up the oats, giving the scones a light, slightly crumbly, almost velvety texture. The scones texture also benefits from canola oil and buttermilk, as well as butter, and cocoa powder keeps the scones, deep and dark. A touch of espresso powder adds interest, and dried cherries give the scones a little tartness. Not to worry, the scones include chocolate chips, meaning that you get a nice hit of creamy chocolate as you bite into the little treats. The scones are great for breakfast, tea time, or even dessert. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Chocolate-Cherry Scones -- Makes 8
1 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of quick oats
1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder
4 tablespoons of butter
1/4 cup of canola oil
1/2 cup of buttermilk
1/4 cup of dried cherries
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
Milk to drizzle (optional)
Sugar to sprinkle (optional)
Powdered sugar to dust (optional)
Add the flour, oats, cocoa powder, sugar, dark brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder to the food processor bowl and pulse them together several times. Add the butter in small pieces and pulse it in about six times until crumbs form. Drizzle in the canola oil through the food processor tube, while the processor is running. Then drizzle in the buttermilk until the dough starts to come together. Dump the dough onto a piece of waxed paper or baking parchment that has been lightly dusted with flour. Sprinkle the dough with the dried cherries and chocolate chips and gently knead/pat the cherries and chocolate into the dough. Bring the dough together with your hands and then pat it into a circle about an inch thick. Cut the dough into 8 triangles. Drizzle a little milk on top of the triangles, then sprinkle them with a little sugar, if you like. Cut pieces of baking parchment to fit your air fryer basket. Place a couple of dough triangles onto each piece of parchment. Place one dough-topped piece of parchment into your air fryer basket. Put the basket into the air fryer and set the temperature at 340 degrees. Air fry the scones for about 12 minutes or until puffed and just barely firm to the touch. Remove the scones to cool and repeat the cooking process with the remaining dough. Serve the scones "as is" or dust them with powdered sugar to dress them up. You can also refrigerate or freeze part of the dough to bake later, if you'd prefer.
