This Apple Cheddar Scones Recipe is a savory and flaky recipe, which is made with tart Granny Smith apples and extra sharp cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect fall breakfast, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipeApple Cheddar Scones Recipe Ingredients
- 7 Tbsp. Butter, Divided
- 1/2 Large Granny Smith Apple, Peeled, Cored And Chopped Fine
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Soft White Wheat Flour (Whole Wheat Pastry Flour)
- 1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1/2 cup Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Plus More For Sprinkling
- 1 Egg White
- 2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
- 6 Tbsp. Applesauce
- 2 Tbsp. Buttermilk
How To Make Apple Cheddar Scones
- Prep Oven and Sauté Apples: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped apple and sauté for about 8 minutes, until tender. Remove from the heat to cool.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in the Butter: Cut the remaining 6 tablespoons of cold butter into small pieces and add them to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining. Stir in the cheddar cheese.
- Combine Wet and Dry: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the egg white, maple syrup, applesauce, and buttermilk. Pour this wet mixture over the flour/butter mixture and stir with a fork until just combined.
- Shape and Fill: Transfer the sticky dough to a generously floured work surface and pat it out into an 11×7-inch rectangle. Spread the cooled, sautéed apples over the dough, leaving a small border along one long edge. Roll up the dough lengthwise, like a jelly roll.
- Slice and Bake: Slice the log into triangles or rectangles. Place the scones on the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart, and sprinkle with extra shredded cheese. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are deep golden brown. Let them cool on a wire rack.

Recipe Tips
- How to get flaky scones? The secret is to use very cold butter and not to overwork the dough. The small pieces of butter will create steam pockets as they melt in the oven, resulting in a light and flaky texture.
- Why sauté the apples first? Cooking the apples before adding them to the dough ensures they are tender and flavorful in the finished scone. It also removes some of their moisture, which prevents the scones from becoming soggy.
- Can I use a different cheese? Yes. A sharp white cheddar is classic, but a smoked Gouda or even a spicy pepper jack would be delicious variations.
- How to avoid tough scones? Be very careful not to overmix the dough once you add the wet ingredients. Mix only until the flour is just moistened. Overmixing develops the gluten and will make your scones dense and tough.
What To Serve With Apple Cheddar Scones
These savory scones are a wonderful breakfast or brunch item. They are delicious served:
- Warm, on their own
- With a pat of salted butter
- Alongside a bowl of soup, like butternut squash or tomato soup
- With a slice of ham or bacon
How To Store Apple Cheddar Scones
- Room Temperature: Scones are best enjoyed on the day they are baked. If you have leftovers, store them wrapped in wax paper in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat scones in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to refresh them.
Apple Cheddar Scones Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250-300 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 7g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. You can prepare the scone dough, shape it, and place the unbaked scones on a baking sheet in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking.
Absolutely. Place the shaped, unbaked scones on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Scone dough is meant to be a bit sticky and shaggy. Be sure to use a well-floured surface and have floured hands when you are patting it out to prevent it from sticking to everything.
Try More Recipes:
Apple Cheddar Scones Recipe
Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy10
servings15
minutes15
minutes300
kcalA savory and tender scone packed with sautéed apples and sharp cheddar cheese, with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup.
Ingredients
7 Tbsp. Butter, divided
1/2 Large Granny Smith Apple, chopped fine
1 cup All-purpose Flour & 1/2 cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda & 1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 Egg White
2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
6 Tbsp. Applesauce
2 Tbsp. Buttermilk
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425ºF. Sauté the chopped apple in 1 tbsp of butter until tender; cool.
- In a bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the remaining 6 tbsp of cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg white, maple syrup, applesauce, and buttermilk.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined.
- On a floured surface, pat the dough into a rectangle. Spread the cooled apples on top.
- Roll up the dough, slice into scones, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Top with extra cheese.
- Bake for about 12 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
- Using very cold butter is essential for a flaky, tender scone.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding the wet ingredients to keep the scones from becoming tough.
- The combination of sweet apple and sharp cheddar is a classic and delicious pairing.
- These scones are a fantastic make-ahead breakfast; the unbaked dough can be refrigerated or frozen.