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These scones blend sweet apple and warm chai spices into a soft, protein-rich treat. This simple, high-protein recipe is perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack.
Chai tea is my favorite comfort drink. The warm spices meld in the hot beverage to create a drink that makes my body relax.
One day, I wanted to transmit that into one of my recipes. And, what better way to have those delicious spices than in a scone?
These delicious apple chai protein scones blend the sweet, tart flavor of fresh apples with the warming, aromatic spices of chai.
But besides having an amazing flavor, these scones are also high in protein. What gives them that protein boost?
The protein powder and Greek yogurt!
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Pin ItEach scone gives you 12 grams of protein per serving—more than you would find in a regular scone. This makes them a great option if you are looking for a healthy breakfast or a snack to keep you satisfied for a long time.
Ingredients and Substitutes
All-purpose flour (2 cups) – You can replace it with whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
Vanilla protein powder (½ cup) – Swap with unflavored protein powder, or you can use all-purpose flour (keep in mind that this can change its nutritional content).
Baking powder (2 tsp)
Cinnamon (1 tsp) – Replace with pumpkin spice or increase the other spices.
Ground ginger (½ tsp) – You can also use freshly grated ginger.
Ground cardamom (¼ tsp) – Omit or replace it with ground allspice.
Ground cloves (⅛ tsp) -Use a small pinch of allspice.
Ground nutmeg (⅛ tsp) – Swap with freshly grated nutmeg.
Salt (1/4 tsp)
Thick Greek yogurt (1 cup) – Substitute with plain yogurt, sour cream, or a dairy-free alternative.
Maple syrup (¼ cup) – Replace with honey, agave syrup, or brown sugar. You can use a sugar-free alternative if you want to reduce the sugar content.
Pure vanilla extract (1 tsp) – You can also use vanilla bean paste.
Apples, grated (½ cup) – Shredded pears, zucchini, or carrots are also good alternatives.
Butter, cold (1/3 cup) – You can use plant-based butter.
EGG WASH
Egg (1)
Water (1 tsp) – Use milk or a milk alternative if you want a less shiny top.
GLAZING
Butter, melted (2 tbsp)
Thick Greek yogurt (1 tbsp)
Powdered sugar (3 tbsp) – Blend granulated sugar in a food processor to create powdered sugar.
How to Make Apple Chai Protein Scones
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Grab a bowl and add the all-purpose flour, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
Step 2. Give the dry ingredients a good stir.
Step 3. In another bowl, add the Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and grated apples.
Step 4. Combine the dry ingredients.
Step 5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones.
Step 6. Give the ingredients a good stir to form a sticky dough.
Step 7. Grate the butter and start kneading the dough slowly.
Step 8. Once you have a large ball of dough, flour your counter and place the dough.
Step 9. Flour the top part of the dough and start rolling it with a rolling pin. Create a circle that is around 7 inches wide.
Step 10. Cut the circle into 8 triangles.
Step 11. Place each triangle on the baking sheet. Make sure you leave enough room between them.
Step 12. Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl, and brush the scones with the egg wash.
Step 13. Place the scones in the oven for 18-20 minutes. While you are baking the scones, combine the melted butter, Greek yogurt, and powdered sugar to create a glaze.
Step 14. When the scones are ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool down for 10 minutes. Once they are cool, drizzle them with the glaze.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Add Nuts: If you want to add some crunch, mix in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts with the dry ingredients.
- Make them Dairy-Free: Replace the Greek yogurt with a thick, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt, and use a cold, plant-based butter. Use the same ingredients for the glaze.
- Fold in Fruit: You can add some dried apples, blueberries, or cranberries for a bit of sweetness.
How to Make Them Gluten-Free
To make this recipe gluten-free, replace the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend. Pick one that has xanthan gum or add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of flour.
Make sure you are not overworking the dough since it can become sticky.
My Tips & Tricks
- Keep The Butter Cold: The key to creating flaky scones is cold butter. Make sure you grate it frozen or when it’s very cold to create little pockets of steam.
- Grating the Apple: When you grate the apples, rather than dicing them, it ensures they distribute evenly throughout the dough and adds moisture without creating large, wet chunks.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough just until all the ingredients blend. Overworking the dough can result in tough and dense scones.
My Storage Tips
Place any leftover scones in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for 3 days or place them in the fridge for up to 7 days.
If you want to have them again, warm, reheat them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
More Protein Scone Recipes
Apple Chai Protein Scones
Cals: 306 Protein: 12 Carbs: 39 Fat: 12
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cardamom
- ⅛ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup thick Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup apples grated
- 1/3 cup butter cold
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp water
Glazing
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tbsp thick Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, vanilla protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and grated apples.
- Add the wet ingredients into the dry ones and mix with a spatula to combine. You’ll form a pretty sticky dough.
- Now, grate in the cold butter, part by part, kneading the dough so the butter spreads around.
- Form a large ball of the sticky dough. Then, flour the kitchen counter and place the dough on it, covering both sides with flour.
- Roll the dough with a rolling pin until it’s 7 inches wide.
- Cut the dough into 8 triangles using a knife. Place each scone on the parchment paper.
- Whisk together the egg with water, and brush the scones with the egg wash.
- Bake in the oven for 18-20 minutes.
- While the scones are baking, combine melted butter, Greek yogurt, and powdered sugar to form a glaze.
- Once the scones are done, let them cool down for 10 minutes and drizzle them with the glazing.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
