How To Make Flapjacks {An EASY Flapjack Recipe!} (2024)

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Flapjacks are a classic snack that appeals to all ages. And with only 4 ingredients in a traditional flapjack recipe, they’re not that hard to make either!

A flapjack makes the perfect lunchbox treat, as well as a great afternoon energy booster. The porridge oats are full of slow-releasing energy, making you feel satisfied for longer.

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How To Make Flapjacks At Home

This is a classic recipe that involves minimal preparation. With only 4 ingredients, it’s hard to go far wrong (but of course possible, so do read my tips and tricks later on to avoid them!)

You might also like: Air Fryer Flapjacks

Flapjack Ingredients

  • 250g (8oz) butter or margarine
  • 250g (8oz) soft brown sugar
  • 450g (16oz) porridge oats
  • 4tbsp golden syrup

These measurements make about 15 decently sized flapjacks; they can be cut in half again to make smaller bite-sized flapjacks.

If you don’t want to make so many flapjacks, simply half all the amounts above. As there are 5 of us (and usually extras for tea!) I usually make bigger portions – I figure if I’m going to the effort of making them I may as well make enough to last the week!

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I prefer to use butter rather than margarine, especially for flapjacks – it gives them that lovely buttery taste that feels so comforting. You can however use margarine if that is what you usually have.

I find that using that amount of golden syrup is the perfect ratio for moist and gooey flapjacks – if you prefer a crunchier and drier texture reduce the amount down to 2 to 3 tbsp.

Aside from weighing the ingredients, the only thing you need to do is melt the butter/margarine in a saucepan on a low heat. At the same time, stir in the sugar and mix it together.

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Then switch off the heat and stir in the golden syrup and porridge oats. Give the porridge oats a really good stir and make sure they are adequately coated in the butter and sugar mixture.

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When you transfer the flapjack mixture to your greased baking tin you can use the back of a spoon or a palette knife to press it down and make sure it gets right up to the edges and into the corners.

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Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated oven. I like to check on them at 20 minutes to make sure they aren’t hardening up too much. This is really key when cooking flapjacks to prevent them from getting too crunchy (unless that is your aim of course!)

When they start to go golden and slightly hard at the edges, they are usually ready to come out. The flapjacks will feel soft to the touch, don’t worry, they will harden up as they cool down.

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I like to cut them up when they are still warm and in the tin. As the flapjacks start to cool down they will harden up, making them more tricky to cut up.

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Leave the flapjacks to cool before taking them out of the baking tin – if you try and take them out too early they might crumble. If they start to fall apart when you remove them from the baking tin leave them to cool down for a little longer.

Flapjack Variations

You can use this recipe as a base and add in extra ingredients to vary it up a bit. Suggestions include;

  • Dates, chopped
  • Dried or glace cherries, chopped
  • Raisins or sultanas
  • Nuts and/or seeds
  • Chocolate – you can drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooked flapjacks and then allow to set.

If you are storing them they can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week.

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Flapjack Questions

I get asked quite a few questions about making flapjacks, below are some of the most frequently asked ones. If you have one that I’ve not yet answered, please feel free to pop it in the comments and I’ll do my best to reply to you.

1. Should Flapjacks Be Soft When Cooked?

Yes, they will be soft when you first take them out of the oven – don’t worry, they are not undercooked! They will harden up a little bit as you leave them to cool – enough so that they are the perfect chewy texture without crumbling or falling apart.

2. Why Is My Flapjack Falling Apart?

Assuming you have cooked it for long enough and allowed it to cool for at least 5 minutes, your flapjack shouldn’t be falling apart. If it is, it could be down to either the type of porridge oats that you used. I tend to use regular/standard porridge oats as opposed to ‘large’ oats. Neither are right or wrong but each oat type will produce a different texture. The larger type of porridge oats might result in a flapjack that is harder to bind together with the other ingredients – to fix this I would add a little more melted butter/golden syrup.

3. Why Are My Flapjacks Hard?

You may have left them in to cook for a little too long. Once the flapjacks start to harden up slightly around the edges it is definitely time to take them out. Also, try not to allow the butter and sugar to boil during the melting stage.

Other Baking Recipes You Might Like

Shortbread
Banana Bread
Cupcakes

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How To Make Flapjacks - An EASY Flapjack Recipe

Yield: 15

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This flapjack recipe is a classic snack that is perfect for all ages. The slow releasing energy from the porridge oats make flapjacks a satisfying lunchbox or afternoon treat.

Ingredients

  • 250g (8oz) butter
  • 250g (8oz) soft brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons golden syrup
  • 450g (16oz) porridge oats

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F), Gas Mark 4.
  2. Place the butter and sugar in a saucepan. Over a gentle heat melt stir the sugar into the butter as it melts.
  3. Turn the heat off and stir in the golden syrup and porridge oats. Ensure all the oats are coated with the wet mixture.
  4. Lightly grease a 20cm square tin (8 inch).
  5. Transfer flapjack mixture to the greased baking tin. Using the back of a spoon, or a palette knife, smooth out the flapjack mixture to all corners of the tin as well as smoothing down the top.
  6. Place in the centre of the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges start to turn brown. The mixture will still feel very soft to the touch - don't worry, they will harden up more when they cool down.
  7. Cut them into slices whilst they are still warm, but leave them in the tin to cool down.
  8. Once they have cooled down, remove them from the tin. If they are not being served straightaway they can be stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 15Serving Size: 15
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 227Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 131mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 0gSugar: 18gProtein: 2g

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How To Make Flapjacks {An EASY Flapjack Recipe!} (2024)

FAQs

How do you make flapjacks that don't fall apart? ›

Sprinkle with a tiny bit of sea salt. 4 Spread the mixture out, pressing it out evenly with the back of the spoon. 5 Bake for 25 minutes until golden. After five minutes cooling, press the flapjacks with something heavy and flat (this compresses them and stops them falling apart).

What are the ingredients in flapjack bites? ›

INGREDIENTS: Oats (39%), Sweetened Condensed Skimmed Milk [Skimmed Milk, Sugar], Partially Inverted Sugar Syrup, Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Butter (Milk), Palm Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Salt, Flavouring.

What are flapjacks made of? ›

A flapjack (also known as a cereal bar, oat bar or oat slice) is a baked bar, cooked in a flat oven tin and cut into squares or rectangles, made from rolled oats, fat (typically butter), brown sugar and usually golden syrup.

What's the difference between pancake mix and flapjack mix? ›

Ingredients: British flapjacks are made with rolled oats, butter, and brown sugar. Additional fillings like currants, dried fruit, nuts, coconut, or chocolate chips may also be added. The main ingredients in British pancake batter are flour, eggs, milk, and butter.

What happens if you put too much syrup in flapjacks? ›

For me, too much golden syrup makes them hard to bite through and dunking is simply not an option with flapjacks. Golden syrup can also make flapjacks sickly sweet. Cooking times and oven temperature are important.

Why are flapjacks unhealthy? ›

Flapjacks contain high levels of sugar, syrup and butter, meaning it shouldn't be mistaken as a food that has many health benefits but rather as a delicious treat to have in moderation.

Why is my flapjack not chewy? ›

Golden syrup is the chewiness activator in a flapjack recipe, so if you want extremely chewy results, add an extra half a tablespoon to this recipe, with 5g less caster sugar. When the flapjacks are pale golden and still very soft to the touch, remove them from the oven.

What is the American equivalent of flapjack? ›

In the US, a flapjack is a less common way of saying "pancake"; in the UK, it's a chewy, sweet granola bar.

Why did they stop making flapjack? ›

Cartoon Network's reasoning for canceling the show was because Flapjack didn't match with its new lineup of shows for a young male-targeted demographic. The inspiration from The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack was obvious within the world of cartoon animated shows for the next 10 years.

What is a good substitute for golden syrup in flapjacks? ›

Golden syrup – This gives the lovely sticky texture. You can replace it with honey if you prefer but it can be more unpredictable as honey is a natural product where the consistency varies. The flavour can also be quite strong. Brown sugar – Soft light brown sugar gives a good flavour but caster sugar will work too.

What is a real flapjack? ›

Stateside, confusingly, flapjacks mean pancakes but in UK, flapjacks are something completely different, a tray-baked, soft-centered, chewy, crunchy-edged caramel-scented bar made only with oats, golden syrup, brown sugar, and butter*. If they are not already, we need these in our lives.

What is an American flapjack? ›

In the US, Canada, and some other places, the word flapjacks is used as an informal synonym of pancakes, with usage of either term typically depending on regional preferences.

Why do my homemade flapjacks fall apart? ›

Why do my homemade flapjacks fall apart? This can happen if you overcook or undercook your flapjacks. When you overcook a flapjack, the golden syrup dries out and it becomes crumbly. An undercooked flapjack will have a raw doughy texture that doesn't hold its shape.

What do Americans call British flapjacks? ›

A granola bar is a bar made of grains such as oats and lots of other ingredients including nuts, seeds, dried fruits, sugar or syrup. They are also often enjoyed as an energy-boosting snack or breakfast alternative! Granola bars are considered to be the 'American ancestor' of the popular flapjack.

How do you thicken flapjack mix? ›

Add More Flour

To solve this problem, you can add flour in small increments until you have sufficiently thickened your batter. To add flour, use a sifter and sift one tablespoon of flour at a time until your batter is properly thickened.

Why do my flapjacks keep crumbling? ›

When you overcook a flapjack, the golden syrup dries out and it becomes crumbly. An undercooked flapjack will have a raw doughy texture that doesn't hold its shape. Be sure you are cooking your flapjacks for 25 minutes on 180°C/160° Fan, 350°F, Gas 4 for the perfect chewy bake!

How to save crumbly flapjacks? ›

Allow to cool completely once cut and store in a biscuit tin to keep them as fresh as possible. If your flapjacks appear to be extremely crumbly when cutting, score the top of the bake immediately and put them in the fridge or freezer for a short period to firm up.

What is the best way to store flapjacks? ›

In my experience they don't last long enough to be stored, but if your family is resisting too much temptation, you can store the flapjacks in an airtight container for about 7 days. In the freezer You can also freeze them in portions for up to a month.

How long will homemade flapjacks keep? ›

Run a knife round the edge to release the flapjack, leave for 5 minutes, then mark into bars or squares. Leave in the tin until nearly cold before cutting into pieces and removing to a wire rack. The flapjacks will keep in an airtight tin for up to 10 days.

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