The Best Easy Flapjack Recipe You Will Love To Make (2024)

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Learn how to make the best easy English flapjack recipe that the whole family will love. This is a recipe for the kids to make as well as enjoy eating.

Traditional flapjacks can be made either chewy or crunchy according to preferred taste. They are not exactly a healthy snack, but they are definitely delicious.

The Best Easy Flapjack Recipe You Will Love To Make (1)

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There is always a recipe that takes you back to your childhood. It’s the recipe that as soon as you smell it, you suddenly feel like a kid again.

This easy flapjack recipe is just that for me.

My mom used to make it all the time. It would be there when we got back from school, or it would be the recipe we make together.

Why did mom always go to this delicious recipe?

It’s fool proof, that’s why!

My mom would be the first to admit that she is not a baker, but she always did her best to provide us with home cooked treats. These easy flapjacks were the perfect solution.

When home cooked sweet treats taste THIS good, it’s hard to change to anything else!

These are the best flapjacks which are perfect for morning tea, afternoon tea, the kids lunch box or whenever you want a little snack!

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Chewy Flapjacks The English Way

Whilst I live in Australia now, I grew up in England. For me, a flapjack is an oaty, syrup treat which is incredibly moreish, especially so when they are still warm.

Many a time I have had a conversation with my Australian friends about what a “flapjack” is.

It seems thatflapjack’s are what I would call pancakes. I just can’t get my head around that one!

Make no mistaking though, this is not an American flapjack. This is an English recipe.

It is a traditional easy flapjack recipe and it is waiting for you to enjoy it too.

What is so amazing about this popular flapjack recipe?

Well let’s start with the fact that they arecrunchy on the top, yet chewy on the inside. They literally spell ‘dreamy’.

The only problem is you can’t stop at just one, so do be warned if you make them.

They contain quite a bit of sugar, golden syrup and margarine so I would hardly call them healthy snacks. But hey, you have to indulge every once in a while don’t you!

You also don’t need to have any cooking skills to make these taste simply amazing.

Consisting of just a few ingredients, they literally take 5 minutes to whip up.

This also makes them a great treat to make with the kids, as you just throw all the ingredients in a bowl together and then tip it out into a baking dish.

What could possible go wrong!

What Do Flapjacks Look Like When Cooked?

Flapjacks can easily turn from a soft and chewy one to a crunchy one VERY easily.

If you would like to ensure that your flapjack is chewy, bake for about 15 minutes and then check them. They want to have a light to medium gold color.

If however you like your flapjacks to be a little crunchy, leave them more to the 20 minute mark until they have a darker color.

Maybe try a batch of both.

Either way they taste pretty amazing and sometimes it’s nice just to change things up a bit.

It really is personal preference as to whether you prefer a hard or a soft flapjack.

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Flapjacks are supposed to be eaten cold, but in my opinion, they are simply divine when they are still warm. If you are restrained enough to wait until they cool then good on you.

Otherwise enjoy them straight from the oven with a beautiful cup of tea.

Oh, now your talking!

It’s best to wait until they have cooled a little though otherwise they will crumble when you try to cut them.

It’s best to leave them at least 5 minutes at room temperature if you can. However, you don’t want to leave them for too long otherwise they will be quite difficult to cut (especially if you have gone for the crispy version).

Once cut, leave them to cool even more whilst sitting on a wire rack.

Flapjack Ingredients

Another great thing abut this flapjack recipe is that you can make it using simple ingredients which is usually found in your pantry.

To make the flapjack mixture you simple need the following:

  • Porridge oats – Use instant oats or rolled oats for a smooth mixture. Jumbo oats can be used for a firmer flapjack.
  • Golden syrup – Maple syrup can be used as a substitute if you need it.
  • Margarine or butter
  • Sugar
  • Self raising flour
  • Cornflakes

You could also experiment with the traditional recipe with some extra ingredients such as adding chocolate chips or some other dried fruit. However it would be best to make the traditional recipe first and then experiment afterwards!

How Do You Make The Easy Flapjack Recipe?

So would you like to know how to make this easy flapjack recipe?Of course you do!

Simple print off the recipe card below and keep it somewhere safe.

I guarantee you will be revisiting this easy recipe time and time again, and then you will simply know it off by heart. Don’t you just love those recipes.

Follow the simple steps to make a big batch of the best flapjacks ever.

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The Best Easy Flapjack Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Learn how to make the best easy English flapjack recipe that the whole family will love. This is a recipe for the kids to make as well as enjoy eating.

Flapjacks can be made either chewy or crunchy according to preferred taste. They are not exactly a healthy snack, but they are definitely delicious.

Ingredients

  • 200g Margarine
  • 2 Tablespoons Golden Syrup
  • 200g Sugar
  • 100g Oats
  • 100g Self Raising Flour
  • 150g Crushed Cornflakes

Instructions

  1. Melt the margarine and the golden syrup in a pan, but be careful not to overheat.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
  3. Once the margarine and golden syrup are melted, pour into the dry mixture and mix together thoroughly.
  4. Place the mixture into a well greased Swiss roll tin and bake in a moderately hot oven (375F, 190C or gas mark 5) for 15-20 minutes until the mixture is just firm.
  5. Whilst still hot, cut into the desired shape, but leave in the dish until cool (but not cold). Remove onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Did you love this recipe?Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below. If you REALLY loved it, consider leaving a comment at the end of the page.

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Why Did My Flapjacks Not Stick Together?

As easy as flapjacks are to make, there can be one recurring problem. The problem? The flapjacks simply crumble rather than stick together.

SOLUTION: Luckily there is a simple solution to why your flapjacks are not sticking together.

They MUST BE LEFT TO COOL.

I suggest that the best way to cut them is whilst they are still in the pan (as it’s difficult to cut cooled flapjacks), but this is just creating the cutting line. NO flapjacks should be removed from the pan until they are completely cooled. If you try and remove the flapjacks whilst they are still warm, they will simply crumble.

Yes you end up with a delicious crumbly mess, but it’s much better to have a flapjacks that sticks together don’t you think?

Once cooled you can cut them fully into squares or rectangles to look like oat bars, following the cutting line you made whilst they were in the pan.

Can Flapjacks Be Frozen?

Provided that you don’t eat them all at once (which is a very real problem), flapjacks can be frozen for a later date.

They can either be wrapped in foil and placed in an airtight bag, OR placed in a airtight container. Make sure you place some parchment paper in between each layer of flapjack’s to ensure they do not stick together.

They can be kept for up to 2 months in the freezer, and defrosted in the fridge.

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I know what your thinking. They are hardly an eye catching treat.

Don’t be fooled though!

Whilst they may not look overly appealing or gourmet, the taste is all there.

Don’t try them and you will be missing out, and that is simply a crime in itself.

Maybe this easy flapjack recipe will become the recipe that your children take into their adulthood and have fond memories of.

I suggest that you try it out with the kids and see what they think. I bet you will get the thumbs up though.

Need some more recipe ideas? Check out our entire range ofparty food ideasthat are perfect for the kids and adults too. There are plenty of homemade birthday cakes, cupcakes, cookies, chocolate popcorn and other delicious recipes that guests will all love.

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The Best Easy Flapjack Recipe You Will Love To Make (7)
The Best Easy Flapjack Recipe You Will Love To Make (2024)

FAQs

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

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!

Why are my flapjacks not fluffy? ›

Over mixing: Over mixing the ingredients can cause the gluten in the flour to become overdeveloped, which can make the flapjacks tough and crumbly. Over cooking: If you cook your flapjacks for too long, they may become dry and fall apart. Using too much dry ingredients: If you add too much dry ingre.

What is the original flapjack? ›

While the term flapjack referred to a pancake in the United States and Canada in years gone by, it originated in the UK where it refers to a baked bar prepared from oats, butter, golden syrup and sugar that is formed into a large, flat rectangle, baked and then cut into small rectangles.

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.

Why do my flapjacks always fall apart? ›

The larger "jumbo" (old fashioned) oats tend to give a crumblier flapjack as they don't seem to bind so well. If the mixture continues to be crumbly then you may like to increase slightly the amount of golden syrup in the mixture.

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 hasn't my flapjack stuck together? ›

The oats possibly have not absorbed the syrup, allow to sit before baking. I'm a failure with flapjacks as well! They fall apart, are too dense and solid or as hard as a brick! I must have tried ten different recipes, using differing amounts of ingredients, adding flour ( like Jamie Oliver) or different oats etc.

Should I cut flapjack hot or cold? ›

Using a bread knife, cut your flapjacks when warm to ensure even, easy slices. Allow to cool completely once cut and store in a biscuit tin to keep them as fresh as possible.

What is flapjack called in America? ›

In North America, Flapjacks and Pancakes Mean the Same Thing

Let's just get this out of the way first: here in the US, it's perfectly OK to refer to thin cakes made from batter as both pancakes and/or flapjacks.

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.

What is a British flapjack called in America? ›

British flapjacks (also called cereal bars, oat bars, or oat slices) are golden oat-packed, hand-held triangles, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. They're commonly regarded as the chewy-crunchy ancestor of granola bars.

Can I use white sugar instead of brown in flapjacks? ›

Soft light brown sugar is preferable as it compliments the golden syrup and gives a lovely chewy finish to your Flapjack. But caster sugar can be used if it is all you have, just be preapred for a sweeter taste and crunchier texture.

How do you tell when flapjack is cooked? ›

Press evenly into the baking tray and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. The flapjack will still feel soft. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 minutes and then lift the baking paper up and out of the tray to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!

What can I use instead of 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.

Should flapjacks be soft when they come out of the oven? ›

Press evenly into the baking tray and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. The flapjack will still feel soft. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 minutes and then lift the baking paper up and out of the tray to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Should flapjacks be runny when cooked? ›

Bake in the oven for approx 30 mins or until it starts to go golden. When you take it out, it will look like the mix is runny – this is normal. Leave on a flat, heatproof surface too cool. When nearly cool, slice into 8 and leave to cool completely.

How do you fix hard flapjacks? ›

More fat (butter) is the answer. I use gluten free oats as some of my children are Coeliac and I always had problems with flapjacks being far too hard. I found that increasing the amount of butter over the recipe amount made a lot of difference...

What is the difference between a flapjack and a pancake? ›

In the US, the terms flapjack and pancake are interchangeable; there is no difference between the two. Flapjack is a term that you will hear more often in the South, while you will see pancakes on more menus in the north (similar to the divide between stuffing and dressing).

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