Traditional British sweet oat bar treat. They’re soft, chewy and super easy to make!
Today I’m sharing one of my favourite childhood treats. Classic British flapjacks are gooey, buttery, sweet and make a delicious treat. These flapjacks use one of my favourite ingredients – golden syrup, which not only adds amazing light treacle flavour but makes the flapjacks super squidgy and chewy!
Though you probably won’t have been able to tell by the name, flapjacks are oat bars made using just 4 ingredients. You can also add other additional ingredients that take your fancy such as coconut, lemon zest, a pinch of ground cinnamon/ginger, nuts or chocolate chips.
Chewy, sweet and an easy bake to make to serve alongside a cup of tea or coffee. These flapjacks also make a great breakfast!
Once sliced up, I love drizzling the tops or dipping my flapjacks into chocolate, especially slightly bitter dark chocolate because it contrasts amazingly with the sweetness.
(Makes 12-16)
Ingredients:
175g unsalted butter
175g golden syrup
175g light brown sugar
350g rolled oats (I like using jumbo rolled oats)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 150°C / 130°C Fan / 300°F / Gas Mark 2. Line a 20cm / 8-inch square cake tin with greaseproof paper and grease well. Set aside.
2. Start by melting the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the golden syrup and sugar and continue to cook and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Stir through the oats. Once the oats are completely covered, spread the mixture out into the lined tin. Press down well with the back of a spoon or a spatula until firm.
3. Bake for 40 minutes, the flapjack should be slightly golden around the edges. Once cooked allow to cool in the tin completely – as they cool the flapjacks will crisp on top slightly. I recommend leaving the flapjacks in the fridge to set before slicing. Once cooled slice into 12-16 squares or 24-32 mini flapjack bites.
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These look wonderful! I’d probably eat them as a snack after a hard practice at the (ice skating) rink!
Thanks so much Eva! They are energising and really delicious! 😀
Your recipe should have the golden syrup in ‘g’not in ‘ml’. It’s too much and therefore rock hard when set.
Hi Eliza, apologies for that error on the recipe. I have corrected it now.
What an awesome sounding snack, Jess! I must admit that I was a bit confused at first since flapjacks in the States refer to pancakes. Go figure! But these bars sound quite delicious. In fact, I could go for one right about now with my morning coffee!
Thanks so much David! I know, I read that Americans call pancakes flapjacks?! Haha!
Glad you like them!
Helloo!I was wondering if you can explain in a few words what the Golden Syrup is,from which ingredient is made.Is it something similar to honey?I am from Romania and I didn’t hear about this before.I want to know if I can buy this product in my country.Thank you very much and have a nice day!
Hi Andreea! You can substitute the golden syrup for honey in this recipe. Golden syrup is light treacle.
Hope you enjoy the recipe! 😀
I’ll try the recipe as soon as possible!Thank you!:)
Great! 😀
Looove the golden syrup in these! As an American, I was expecting pancakes, but these are even better!
Thanks so much Medha! Glad you like them! Have a great weekend. 😀
Ok, when I first read this post, I was all like “Jessica, these aren’t flapjacks”, but I guess in Britain, they are! I thought the same thing David did above, so I was a little confused when I saw bars instead of pancakes, but nevertheless these look amazingly delicious! I could definitely eat these “flap jacks” any time of day! I guess you learn something new every day 🙂 Great recipe!
Haha, thanks Heather! I know, it’s funny how we all have different names for things! Glad you like the flapjacks – they’re really tasty! 😀
Love these Jess! Love that they are bars, too! Perfect for a coffee snack!
Thank you Mira! 😀
I’ve never had or heard of flapjacks before, but they look like something I would love eating along with a hot cup of coffee! Yum!
Thanks Olivia!
Wow I’ve never heard of these before but I’m curious to try them! They look super amazing and I’m sure they taste great 😉
Thanks Kristen! You definitely need to give these a go – they’re really tasty and so easy to make too!
I’ve never heard of flapjacks in bar form – this is brilliant! Makes for a quick and easy snack on the go!
Thank you! 😀
I love the sound of these flapjacks! They look like the perfect easy snacks and I love how simple they are to make too with only 5 ingredients. They look delicious!
Thanks so much Kelly!
Really good!!!!! 😁😜😍
Yesss!!! Finally a recipe for English flapjacks! (Although, I’ve never really looked for one.) In the US, “Flapjack” is another, more Southern, term for pancake, so I was really surprised when I first saw these in England. I will definitely be trying this recipe out!
Thank you so much Christina! Glad you’ve found a recipe for flapjacks! I found that quite funny that flapjacks share the same name as pancakes in the US!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, let me know how they go! 😀
Those look so yummy, and perfect to drink with a hot cup of coffee in the morning! 🙂
Thanks Christina!
I’ve been wanting to make flap jacks forever now. They stared selling them at my school and I was in love from the first bite. Your look even better – so thanks a million for sharing. I will definitely be making flap jacks soon, now that I have a recipe.
Thanks so much Josefine! You should definitely try these – you’d love them! 😀
Yum! I’ve never had a flapjack before but I have always wanted to try them! They look delicious!
Thanks Jess!
I love flapjacks, but it’s been a while since I made them. Thanks for the reminder!
Thank you! Glad you like the recipe! 😀
What an incredible looking flapjacks! I can eat them any time of the day! AMAZING share!
Thanks so much Anu!
Jessica – I never had flapjacks until I started ordering GrazeBoxes through the mail. I love them! Thank you for sharing a homemade recipe. They look delicious.
Thanks Erin! I love those GrazeBoxes! Glad you like the recipe – hope you give them a go! 😀
I love flapjacks. I came to know them when I was living in the UK.
When I first move there from Italy I could not find any food I like. One day one colleague of mine back then, offered me a flapjack. I gave it a go, and I have loved these babies ever since 🙂
Thanks so much Emanuele! I’m so pleased this recipe brought back some memories for you! 😀 Flapjacks have always been one of my favourite treats!
I have never seen flapjacks like this before but they sound absolutely fantastic!
Thanks Allie! Glad you like them!
Since I went to London for the first time (many years ago) I love porridge ! This recipe is for me !! Looks extra !!
Thank you Eva! Oat treats are my favourite – these flapjacks were really delicious!
Giiiiiiirl, these flapjacks look ah-maze-ing!! I am loving the flavors and how simple they are. I’m going to take your suggestion and try adding some coconut or maybe white chocolate chips (allergic to cocoa). I am totally craving a bunch of these right now. Yummm-iee! Cheers!
Thanks so much Cheyanne! Love the idea of adding white chocolate chips, definitely going to be trying that next time I make these! Glad you like them – thanks for the lovely words! 😀
Haha, I saw the pictures and had to go back and re-read the title, I was like these are not pancakes… evidently flapjack means something different in other parts of the world :). However, these look amazing, and given their name I’m going to use that excuse to eat these for breakfast, they look amazing!
Thanks Sam – haha, I think I confused a lot of my American readers with this recipe! 😀 Glad you like them!
You had me at flapjacks…but then it wasn’t what I was expecting! But I love anything with oats, so this was a pleasant surprise! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Andrea! 😀
Jess, I just love these!!!!!!!! They are so perfect for tat 4 pm slump!!! This will just power me up for the remainder of the day! Love it!
Thanks so much Samina!
these look yum! I remember eating these when I was in Scotland 🙂 love the recipe Jess!
Thanks so much Manali! 😀
Oh man I love flapjacks!! Haven’t had them in years though, this has got me craving them!!
Thanks Annie! 😀
I’ve only ever known flapjacks to be pancakes — I’ve never seen this version! This syrupy- oat version looks delicious!
Thanks so much Marcie! 😀
These look like the perfect flapjacks I’ve been looking for! Do you think it would be possible to add chocolate chips to these?😊
Hi Charlotte! I’m so pleased you’ve found the recipe you’ve be looking for! Yes, it would be fine to add some chocolate chips. I would recommend adding about 75-100g.
Hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know how you get on! 😀
Jess
These look delicious, I’m going to make this week. I do need to know, however, what golden syrup is? Is it maple syrup? Plain syrup you’d put on pancakes or waffles?
Hi Deeanne! Golden syrup is a light treacle. Honey or maple syrup would be ok to use as substitutes. However, the flavour will be slightly altered. Enjoy the recipe! 🙂
I tried your recipe it came out very well I used the salted butter instead of unsalted butter and lessen the measurements as I was trying something sweet for the first time… I never followed any recipe your recipe is first recipe I am trying.. thanks to this recipe and to you who shared the recipe everyone liked it so thumbs up for your recipe 🙂
Hi Quratulain – thank you for stopping by my blog. I’m super happy that the recipe was a success for you, it’s definitely one of my favourites to make. 🙂
Being English my Mum made these every week for us, and they’re still a firm favourite many years on. Try adding dried fruit (cranberries are my favourite) as an alternative and you can dress them up with melted chocolate too.
Hi Maxine – thanks for stopping by my blog. Flapjacks are a firm favourite with my family! I actually made these again recently and drizzled each piece with chocolate and they were really yummy. I love the idea of adding dried fruit to the flapjacks, I will definitely give that a try sometime!
These would be so easy to mix up in the KitchenAid mixer – love the chewy texture! Thanks
Hi Bec! That’s a great idea, you could definitely use a mixer to prepare these flapjacks. 🙂
Been trying so many flapjack recipes, yours is the best!
Thanks for the brilliant feedback, Isabelle! I’m glad you’ve found this recipe to be a success. 🙂
Hi Jess-just finished making my first batch of flapjacks back here in Canada after trying them last month in England. When I went to pour the mixture into the pan it was really ‘soupy’. It’s cooling right now and I’m hoping will solidify a bit? Is this normal? Or should it go into the pain more like a Rice Krispie square (more solid than liquid)? Just curious!
Hi Kristy – if I remember correctly this flapjack mixture before baking is quite liquid, but should set/solidify as it bakes. It’s totally normal and the mixture needs to be like this otherwise the flapjacks might be dry and not have a moist texture. Hope they turn out well for you and that enjoy the recipe! Let me know you get on!
Dear Jess, I’m from Russia and I want to do my best in cooking so delicious flapjacks. Then I make it last time, my flapjacks was very dry and crumble, but i did it based on the receipt. What’s my mistake tell me please
Hi Katrin, I’m sorry that you had problems with this recipe. Some reasons why it may have been dry and crumbled could be because the mixture needed to be pressed more firmly into the tin, this ensures they’re no air pockets which may cause the flapjacks to crumble when baked. Also, the flapjack needs to be cool before you slice it, I find putting the flapjack in the fridge overnight is a good solution (this should help it set and stick together). If this doesn’t work, you could definitely try adding less oats. Personally I’ve always found the ratios in this recipe just right, but ingredients in different countries can range from one another. I hope that helps answer your question.
Thanks a lot for the answer. I hope next time it’ll be better 😉
Have never been able to make flapjacks until
This recipe, I put them in the fridge to cool and they were amazing, family even said they were the best flapjacks they’ve ever had. xx
Hi Cerys 🙂 Thank you much for your glowing review! These flapjacks are my favourite and I’m super pleased you and your family enjoyed them!
How could I bring the sugar and fat content down? Would apple juice n veg oil work n what quantities. Any thoughts?
Awesome recipe!!
Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Thank you 🙂 So pleased you enjoyed the recipe!