Irish Cheddar Cheese Scones are savory buttermilk scones brimming with pockets of melty Irish cheddar cheese and fragrant fresh scallions. They’re cheesey, they’re oniony, what more could you want?

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I was inspired to make a bread with deliciously tangy Irish Cheddar Cheese.

If you’ve ever been to Ireland you probably know that the Irish have fantastic dairy products. I guess all those rolling green hills make for some very happy Irish cows.

I knew which cheese I wanted to use so the next question was, how to use it? I didn’t really have to think very long since, to me, a buttermilk scone is the natural vehicle to show off Irish cheddar.

Because scones are generally made with white flour, they’re soft and mild tasting. This makes scones the perfect background for almost any flavor combination you can think of.

Starting with my Raisin Scone recipe, I reduced the sugar a bit so these scones would be more savory than sweet. To amp up the savoriness I added chopped scallions. The green flecks are pretty, and the onion flavor perfectly compliments the little pockets of melty cheese.

Scroll through the step by step process photos to see how to make Irish Cheddar Cheese Scones:

Tips for making perfect scones:

• Combine all the dry ingredients and whisk them together before adding the wet ingredients. Dispersing the salt and leavening helps the scones rise evenly.
• Work the cold butter in with your fingers until the bits are no bigger than a pea. Those little bits of butter will give the scones a slightly flakey texture.
• If you don’t have fresh buttermilk, buttermilk powder is the best substitute. Mix the buttermilk powder according to the directions before adding to the scones.
• Once the wet ingredients are added, mix just until the flour is incorporated. I like to make scones by hand to avoid over-mixing the dough.
• You can use a rolling pin, but I prefer to pat the dough by hand to avoid overworking the dough.
• When cutting the scones, press straight down on the cutter and don’t twist it. Twisting the cutter may cause the scones to rise unevenly in the oven.
• Since the baking powder is activated as soon as the wet and dry ingredients come together, it’s best to bake the scones soon after the dough is mixed.
• To work ahead, mix all the dry ingredients and work in the butter. Combine the wet ingredients and refrigerate the prepared ingredients until you’re ready to finish the recipe.
• Scones are best eaten they day they are baked. Irish Cheddar & Scallion Scones are best served slightly warm while the cheese is still melty.
• Baked scones should never be refrigerated.
• Baked scones can be frozen for up to three months. Defrost the scones at room temperature, then warm in the oven to revive the texture.

We enjoyed the warm cheese scones with a bowl of soup for dinner. We didn’t even add any butter since they’re so moist and cheesey.

I also think they’d be great with a little ham or turkey for lunch, or topped with scrambled eggs for breakfast or brunch.

Looking for more Irish inspired recipes?

• Irish Soda Bread
• Irish Brown Bread
• Baileys Pot de Creme
• Baileys Bundt Cakes
• Baileys Cheesecake
• Baileys Chocolate Macarons
• Guinness Fudge Cake
• Triple Guinness Cake
• Irish Tea Brack
• Irish Apple Cake
• Irish Potato Farls

If you love this recipe as much as I do, I’d really appreciate a 5-star review.