Apple Scones
There is something so charming about the delicious smell of freshly baked apple scones drifting through your kitchen. Golden, tender, and irresistible, these apple cinnamon scones burst with apple flavor and especially capture the essence of fall.
When apples are in season, I can’t resist finding new ways to bake with them. These vegan apple scones are one of my favorite treats, buttery (without the butter!), gently sweet, and filled with little bits of apple that caramelize beautifully as they bake. They’re wholesome, comforting, and taste like a quiet weekend morning.
If you are looking for more scone recipes, try my favorite maple walnut scones, vegan blueberry scones, pumpkin scones, or my vegan peach scones.
The Perfect Flavor Combination
My husband and I went apple picking a couple of weeks ago, and I got to try Arkansas Black apples for the very first time. Wow — I think I have a new favorite! When I got home, I knew I had to try an apple cinnamon scone version, though it took a few tries to perfect the recipe.
I grew up loving the taste of freshly baked scones, and when I graduated from culinary school, I knew I wanted to make my own vegan version. I started with blueberry scones, which were my favorite for a long time, but this year I added apple scones to the list. These apple scones are soft, lightly spiced, and just sweet enough to make you smile.
As I was recipe testing, I first tried just mixing apples into the scone dough, but the flavor was pretty one-dimensional and lacking that pop of apple goodness. After a couple more tries, we tested a lightly cooked “apple pie” style filling to layer between the scones — and it produced absolute winners. I hovered over the oven, waiting for the scones to cool enough to try them. Let me tell you, you have to try these scones. They’re everything you want in a scone recipe, with the perfect amount of apple goodness and warm fall spices. I hope you enjoy these apple scones as much as my family and I do.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Scones
These apple scones aren’t just any scones — they’re packed with flavor, texture, and all the cozy vibes of fall. Here’s why they’re sure to become a favorite:
- Apple Pie–Inspired Filling: The lightly cooked cinnamon-apple filling tucked inside each scone delivers a sweet, spiced surprise with every bite.
- Soft & Fluffy: These scones are perfectly tender on the inside while lightly golden on the outside.
- Easy to Make: You can whip up these scones in less than 30 minutes with no complicated steps or fancy equipment.
- Perfectly Spiced: A hint of cinnamon and allspice complements the apple flavor without overpowering it.
- Vegan & Delicious: Everyone can enjoy them as they’re completely plant-based, but still unbelievably delicious.
Apple Scones Ingredients
Before you start baking, here’s a quick look at the key ingredients that make these apple scones so soft, flavorful, and cozy – along with simple substitutions if you need them. This way, you can tailor the recipe to what you already have in your kitchen without losing any of that delicious cinnamon-apple goodness.
Apple Filling:
- Apples: Experiment with different varieties of fresh apples for the right combination for you. I often mix different varieties of apples for more depth of flavor. Excellent choices are: Honeycrisp, Arkansas Black, Granny Smith, Fuji, and Pink Lady.
- Brown Sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and helps the apples get that warm, cozy “pie filling” vibe.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the filling and keeps the apples from tasting flat.
- Cinnamon: The star of any cinnamon apple scone! It brings warmth and that classic fall flavor.
- Allspice: Adds depth and a slightly sweet, clove-like note that makes the filling taste richer.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Gives the filling a soft, sweet aroma that balances the spices.
Scone Dough:
- Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and keeps the apple pie scones soft and tender.
- Whole White Wheat Flour: Adds a bit of nuttiness and boosts the texture without making the scones dense. Swap for all-purpose flour if you don’t have whole wheat.
- Natural Cane Sugar: Lightly sweetens the dough without overpowering the apple filling. Brown sugar, granulated sugar, or coconut sugar will also work.
- Aluminum-Free Baking Powder: Ensures the scones rise nicely and bake up fluffy.
- Sea Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the apples and spices.
- Coconut Oil: Creates a tender crumb and slight richness in the dough. If you don’t have coconut oil you can use vegan butter.
- Coconut Milk: Adds moisture and keeps the scones soft without making them heavy.
- Raw Sugar (Optional): Sprinkle some coarse sugar on top for a crunchy, sparkly finish. You can also use turbinado sugar or a light brush of maple syrup.
How to Make the Best Apple Scones
Make the Apple Filling
Start by chopping your apples into small pieces. I like Cortland or Honeycrisp for their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture.
Toss them into a saucepan with brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, lemon juice, and vanilla, and simmer for about 5 minutes until tender. Let the filling cool completely — this prevents the scone dough from getting soggy.
Prepare the Scone Dough
In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients, your flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Cut in coconut oil using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
Then pour in coconut milk and gently mix until just combined. Remember: a soft, slightly wet dough makes for the fluffiest scones.
Assemble the Scones
On a lightly floured surface, press half the dough into a round disk about ½-inch thick.
Spread the cooled apple filling over the top, leaving a small border.
Place the remaining dough on top, gently press into a round disk, and cut into 8 wedges like a pie.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Transfer the unbaked scones to a lined baking sheet, brush with a little coconut milk, and sprinkle with raw sugar if you like a little crunch on top.
Bake scones at 400°F for 18–22 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
Let the scones cool slightly, then enjoy warm with your favorite tea or hot lemonade. The lightly spiced cinnamon-apple filling makes every bite feel like a mini slice of apple pie — soft, cozy, and completely irresistible. Dust with some powdered sugar or drizzle with a maple glaze, if desired.
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Apple Scones
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overworking will make your scones tough. Mix just until the ingredients come together; a slightly wet, soft dough is perfect.
- Choose the right apples: Firm, slightly tart apples like Cortland, Honeycrisp, or Arkansas Black hold their shape and add the perfect flavor contrast to the sweet, spiced scone.
- Cook the apple filling lightly: Simmering the apples just until tender concentrates the flavor without making the filling too watery. Let it cool completely before layering.
- Keep ingredients cold: Cold coconut oil or vegan butter helps create a tender, flaky texture in your scones.
- Use a light touch when assembling: Press the dough gently over the filling to avoid squeezing out the apple layer.
- Watch the baking time: Scones bake quickly! Check at 18 minutes; edges should be lightly golden, and the center should be set.
Health Benefits of Apples:
Apples are rich in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels. They are rich in antioxidants that help protect against cell damage and improve heart health. Apples have a low glycemic index, and the fiber and natural fruit sugars help prevent blood sugar spikes. Some studies suggest that apple consumption helps maintain cognitive function. Apples provide vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune response. (1)
Did You Know?
The old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” comes from a Welsh proverb dating back to the 1860s. The original version went, “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Over time, it was shortened into the cheerful phrase we know today — a simple reminder that wholesome, everyday foods like apples have long been linked to good health and happiness.
If you are looking for more apple recipes try my apple almond cake, apple walnut salad, vegan apple tart, gourmet baked apple, and mini apple hand pies.
FAQs
What Variety of Apples should I use?
With more than 7000 varieties of apples grown across the world, there are plenty of options. Apples easily found in the grocery store that are great in scones are: Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith, etc.
Should you peel the Apples or leave the skin on?
You can do either. I chose to leave the peel on for two reasons. First, the peel adds color and flavor to the scones, and second, it contains fiber and nutrients that are good for us.
Do you need to precook the apples?
No, you can use the apples raw, but it could control the water content and consequently the consistency of the Apple Scons better if you gave them a quick precook. It only takes a minute or two.
Do you need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! I don’t find it necessary for this recipe — the dough bakes up perfectly without chilling.
Can I make these scones gluten-free?
Yes! You can substitute the flours for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture may be slightly denser, but they’ll still be soft and delicious.
How do I get the scones perfectly soft and fluffy?
The key is not overmixing the dough. Gently combine ingredients until just mixed — a slightly wet, soft dough ensures tender scones.
Apple Scones
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40-50 minutes
- Yield: Makes 8 Scones 1x
Description
Vegan apple scones with a cinnamon-apple filling that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients
Apple Filling:
- 2 apples (Cortland, Honeycrisp, or Arkansas Black)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp allspice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Scone Dough:
- 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole white wheat flour
- 3 tbsp natural cane sugar
- 1 tbsp aluminum-free baking powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- 1 cup coconut milk
- Raw sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
Apple Filling:
- Chop apples into very small pieces and add to a medium saucepan with brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, allspice, and vanilla.
- Simmer over low–medium heat for 5 minutes, until tender.
- Let cool completely before using in scones.
Scone Dough:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
- In a large bowl, sift together flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in coconut oil using a pastry cutter or fork until the mixture resembles coarse sand.
- Pour in coconut milk and gently mix until just combined (be careful not to overmix). The dough will be soft and slightly wet.
- On a lightly floured surface, press half the dough into a ½-inch–thick round disk. Spread cooled apple filling on top, leaving a small border around the edges. Place the remaining dough on top and gently press it into a round disk.
- Cut into 8 wedges, like a pie. Transfer to a lined baking sheet, brush with coconut milk, and sprinkle with raw sugar if desired.
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Cool slightly before serving.
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