Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese & Honey Scones | Handle the Heat
Filed Under: Breakfast | Savory | Winter

Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese and Honey Scones

  |  
August 26th, 2022
5 from 5 votes
5 from 5 votes

The best savory scone recipe! Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese, & Honey Scones are moist, buttery, flaky inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and with bursts of flavor throughout. The shallot is mild but flavorful!

Yield: 16 scones

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Tessa's Recipe Rundown...

Taste: The scones themselves are ultra buttery with a hint of sweet tanginess. The shallot and jalapeño provide a delicious amount of spice. The sweetness from the goat cheese and honey balance out the spice perfectly.
Texture: Extremely tender, moist, flaky, light, and golden brown on top. Delicious little crunches from the fresh jalapeño throughout.
Ease: Super easy. They take less than 40 minutes from start to finish, plus you can make them ahead of time (specific instructions below)!
Pros: These are sure to be a show-stopper at any brunch. They’d even be great to bring to a dinner party.
Cons: None! Maybe besides the fact that these scones are super rich 😉
Would I make this again? Absolutely. Anytime I’m craving a savory scone, this will be my go-to recipe.

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I’ve kind of been on a scone kick for the last year or so.

While I’ve shared recipes for Classic Buttermilk Scones, Pumpkin Scones, and even Cranberry Orange Scones, I figured it was time for a savory scone recipe.

These Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese and Honey Scones are one of the most flavorful scones I’ve ever had. They’re highly addictive.

They’re perfectly spicy. They’re a little sweet.  Each bite is texture and flavor heaven. They’re so damn good.

Make them for a brunch or even a dinner party, served with a bowl of soup. They’re sure to be a hit!

How to Make Savory Scones

Savory Scone Ingredients:

  • Honey  – a sweet but floral note that complements the spice of the jalapeños!
  • Shallots – the sweet caramelized shallots are probably my favorite part of these scones.
  • Fresh jalapeños – remove half or all of the seeds for a more mild spice level.
  • Buttermilk – I highly recommend not substituting this, though heavy cream will work instead. More on this ingredient below.
  • Eggs – for the scone dough as well as the egg wash.
  • All-purpose flour – measured correctly, so you don’t end up with dense or crumbly scones.
  • Salt – I prefer to use fine sea salt!
  • Baking powder and baking soda – a whole tablespoon of baking powder as well as some baking soda ensures these scones are light and fluffy. Learn more about the science of leaveners in my Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder article.
  • Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
  • Butter – always use unsalted butter in baking.
  • Goat cheese – I haven’t tested this savory scone recipe with another type of cheese but there’s definitely room for experimenting. Even shredded cheddar would be delicious here!
  • Water – for the egg wash.

Why is buttermilk used in scones?

This is absolutely the preferred liquid for scones. It will result in tender, taller scones because of how its acidity reacts with the baking powder and tenderizes the dough overall. It also adds a lovely tang to create more depth of flavor.

I would highly advise using real buttermilk instead of a substitute. Just take a look below at the differences between a biscuit made with real buttermilk vs. a DIY buttermilk substitute.

comparison of buttermilk biscuit vs diy buttermilk biscuit

If you aren’t able to use buttermilk, you can also use heavy cream. You can learn more about buttermilk here.

How spicy are these Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese and Honey Scones?

If you’re worried about spice, remove the ribs and seeds from the fresh jalapeños and/or reduce the amount of jalapeño called for in the recipe. You can also omit the red pepper flakes, if you prefer.

Instructions Overview for Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese and Honey Scones:

  1. Make the shallot, jalapeño, and honey mixture. Sauté the shallots and honey. Add the diced jalapeño and continue to sauté.
  2. Whisk the wet ingredients: in a separate mixing bowl, stir the buttermilk and egg until combined.
  3. Combine the dry ingredients: in a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Cut in the butter: make sure to use cold unsalted butter, NOT room temperature butter. You can use a pastry cutter, box grater, or a fork.
  5. Make a well and combine the dry and wet ingredients together: mix until partially combined. Don’t over mix to avoid dense scones.
  6. Transfer the dough to a floured surface.
  7. Divide the dough and add scone mix-ins: Add the cooled jalapeño, shallot, and honey mixture as well as the crumbled goat cheese to one half of the dough. Take the other half of the dough and fold over the side with the mix-ins.
  8. Portion out the scones. Once the dough is fully mixed, cut it in half with a knife or pastry cutter and gently knead each into ¾-inch thick, 6-inch diameter rounds. Cut each round into 8 wedges and place on your prepared baking pans.
  9. Egg wash and bake the scones. Brush egg wash over the scones and bake until golden brown.
  10. Add toppings. Brush the scones with honey and top with flaky sea salt, if using.

Get Flaky Scones with COLD Butter

The top tip for flaky scones is that the butter must be COLD from start to when the dough enters the oven. The cold butter melts upon entering the heat of the oven and the water content in butter evaporates in steam. As the steam escapes, it bursts up and creates that beautiful tall, flaky, fluffy texture. I like to cube then freeze my butter before assembling the dough. I also always prefer to use unsalted butter for baking. You can find out why here: Salted vs. Unsalted Butter.

How to make scone dough:

Whatever you do, do not overmix the flour mixture or dough or allow it to get too warm. Doing so will result in flatter, tougher, and less flaky scones. My absolute favorite tool for making biscuits or scone dough quickly and easily by hand (so I don’t have to lug out my food processor) is this OXO bladed pastry blender. LOVE.

Use a marble pastry board to help keep the dough cool if your kitchen runs really hot. If at any point you notice the butter becoming greasy and melty, pop the dough into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding.

You can also pop the baking sheet of shaped unbaked scones in the fridge or freezer while the oven preheats to ensure the butter remains nice and cold.

How to Make Tall, Flaky Scones BONUS tip:

We’re stealing a trick from croissant baking that I also use in my Best Ever Pie Crust recipe! A little bit of lamination gets the scones to shoot up sky high with tons of flaky layers. Don’t worry, it sounds more complicated than it actually is. And if this seems like way too much work, just skip this step. You’ll still have tasty scones! Check out my How to Make Tall Scones & Biscuits article for more tips.

comparison of laminated vs unlaminated scones for how to get tall flaky scones that rise high

Here’s how to laminate your scone dough:
  1. If adding any mix-ins, fold into dough prior to step 2.
  2. Turn the craggly mass of dough out onto your work surface.
  3. Shape it into a rectangle.
  4. Fold the rectangle horizontally in thirds, like you’re folding a piece of paper to go into an envelope.
  5. Flatten it out into a rectangle again.
  6. Now fold it in thirds once more, but going the opposite direction. This will also help you to gently ‘knead’ the dough so it comes together into a more cohesive disk without overmixing it. Overmixing leads to rubbery and tough scones and biscuits.

Try to shape half your scone dough using this trick and half without to compare the difference. You’ll be surprised!

I actually demonstrated this during a live Zoom class exclusively for HTH Students. Take a look at Benjamin’s laminated vs. un-laminated scone:

How to Make Scones Ahead of Time:

The shaped unbaked scones can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Bake from the fridge as the recipe directs.

How to store scones:

The scones are best served warm, or within a few hours of baking. I recommend freezing for best results instead of storing at room temperature for longer than a day.

How to Freeze Scones:

Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. If baking from frozen, add about 2 minutes to the baking time.

Sweet scone recipes you’ll love:

More savory recipes you’ll love:

5 from 5 votes

How to make
Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese, & Honey Scones

Yield: 16 scones
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
The best savory scone recipe! Shallot, Jalapeño, Goat Cheese, & Honey Scones are moist, buttery, flaky inside, slightly crispy on the outside, and with bursts of flavor throughout. The shallot is mild but flavorful!

Ingredients

For the shallot, jalapeño, and honey mixture:

  • 2 tablespoons (42 grams) honey
  • 2 shallots
  • 2 jalapeños, finely diced

For the scones:

  • 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 1/2 cups (445 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 cup goat cheese, crumbled

For the egg wash:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon water

For the topping:

  • 2 tablespoons (42 grams) honey
  • Flaky sea salt for topping, optional

Directions

Make the shallot, jalapeño, and honey mixture:

  1. Adjust the oven rack to the center position and preheat to 400°F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a small saucepan on medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of honey and shallots, sautéing until they’re a little crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Next, add the diced jalapeño. Sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the stove and place mixture in a small bowl. Let cool for about 10 minutes.

Make the scones:

  1. In a measuring glass or medium-sized bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and 1 egg. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Add the cubed butter and cut with a pastry cutter or a fork until the butter is the size of large peas. Make a well in the middle and add the buttermilk/egg mixture. Mix until partially combined.
  3. Transfer the dough to a floured surface. At this point, the dough will not be fully mixed and may be super crumbly. Pat the dough into a rectangular shape. Add the cooled jalapeño, shallot, and honey mixture as well as the crumbled goat cheese to one half of the dough. Take the other half of the dough and fold over the side with the mix-ins.
  4. Once the mix-ins have been covered with dough, gently pat the dough into a rectangle once again and fold one side over the other. Repeat this step a total of 4 times to ensure that the mix-ins have been fully incorporated to the dough.
  5. Once the dough is fully mixed, cut it in half with a knife or pastry cutter and gently knead each into ¾-inch thick, 6-inch diameter rounds. Cut each round into 8 wedges and place on your prepared baking pans. Space them out about 2 inches apart.

Make the egg wash:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush over the scones.
  2. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Once the scones have been pulled from the oven, in a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the 2 tablespoons of honey for about 10 seconds, or until thin and easily spreadable. Brush the scones with honey and top with flaky sea salt, if using.
Course : Breakfast
Cuisine : American
Keyword : savory scones, shallot jalapeno goat cheese scones

Photos by Joanie Simon.

Tessa Arias
Author: Tessa Arias

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)

Tessa Arias

About Tessa...

I share trusted baking recipes your friends will LOVE alongside insights into the science of sweets. I'm a professionally trained chef, cookbook author, and cookie queen. I love to write about all things sweet, carb-y, and homemade. I live in Phoenix, Arizona (hence the blog name!)

Find Tessa on  

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Recipe Rating




  1. #
    Carol Lange — August 18, 2023 at 3:42 pm

    These were delicious! Easy to follow directions and great hints. The flavors together were very delicious.

  2. #
    Lucia — August 12, 2023 at 7:07 pm

    We made and we loved. Thank you for sharing

  3. #
    Joie — June 27, 2023 at 3:39 pm

    DELISHHHH!!!!!! Very few times i leave a review on a recipe but THIS ONE!!!!! It deserves an award. I used feta and didn’t brush with honey at the end because I wanted a more savory profile. AMAZING!!!!! Please go make this.

  4. #
    Ann — June 19, 2023 at 3:31 am

    I bake all the time and rarely leave reviews unless something really blows me away! The combination of flavors is amazing! The dough was a little wetter/messier (due to goat cheese and shallot mixture) than what I am used to working with when making scones, but the folding process (laminating) makes for a buttery, delicous finished product. This recipe is a crowd pleaser for sure.

  5. #
    Valentina — March 19, 2023 at 4:24 pm

    I’ve made this so many times, and it’s been so delicious. I was wondering if I could make it with regular onions instead of the shallots. I really want to make it for tomorrow morning, but couldn’t find any shallots near me. Thank you!

    • #
      Kiersten @ Handle the Heat — March 20, 2023 at 11:36 am

      Hi Valentina! We are so happy to hear that you enjoy these scones so much! The scones might not be quite as flavorful with onion instead of shallot, but they should work just fine. Let us know how it goes 🙂

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