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    Home » Recipes » Bars & Brownies

    Easy Flapjack Recipe

    Published: Oct 31, 2022 · Modified: Mar 14, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Easy flapjack recipe pin image.

    An easy flapjack recipe (golden syrup and oat bars) to make and bake at home. Perfect for snacks, Afternoon Tea, and bake sales.

    I promise you this is the best flapjack recipe you will ever taste! They're thick, soft, squidgy, and oh so moreish! You might also like my no bake flapjack recipe!

    A stack of flapjacks on a blue and white plate.
    Easy Flapjacks

    Made with a handful of store cupboard ingredients including golden syrup and oats, this basic flapjack recipe is super simple and quick to make!

    Few things are as comforting as indulging in a slice of sticky and soft flapjack with a steaming mug of hot tea.

    👩‍🍳 Love flapjacks? Try my easy maple syrup flapjacks next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • 🔪 How to make soft flapjacks
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More flapjack recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    Here's why this is the best flapjack recipe you will ever taste!

    • Made in one pan!
    • Soft squidgy texture.
    • Extremely portable making them great for picnics and bake sales.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients to make flapjacks.

    Only a small handful of pantry staples are needed to make this easy flapjack recipe (not to be confused with American flapjacks, which are actually pancakes!).

    Golden Syrup - or swap for runny honey.

    Butter - unsalted butter is best.

    Sugar - I like to use a combination of light brown sugar and crunchy demerara sugar for the best soft texture.

    Vanilla Extract - use a good quality extract and not essence for extra flavour.

    Porridge Oats - ordinary rolled porridge oats. Don't use jumbo oats as they don't absorb the melted butter mixture very well. Quick cook oats can also be used but the texture will be very soft.

    🥄 Equipment

    Please note these are affiliate links* and I will earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

    • Kitchen Scales*
    • Wooden Spoon*
    • Baking Paper*
    • 20 x 20cm (8 inch) Baking Tin*

    🔪 How to make soft flapjacks

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: In a large saucepan melt together the butter, golden syrup, and sugars over a low heat.

    Two: Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and oats.

    Three: Press the mixture into a greased and lined 20cm square (8 inch) baking tin.

    Four: Bake for 22-25 minutes until golden on top.

    💡 Pro Tip - the flapjack will still look soft when you take it out of the oven. It will firm up on cooling, so don't be tempted to put the tin back in the oven like my Nana used to! Invariably we would end up with something called a tarmac cake (which you could break your teeth on!), instead of a soft squidgy flapjack!

    Five: Immediately score the top of the flapjacks with a sharp knife, then leave them to cool in the tin for at least 1 hour (I often leave them overnight) before cutting them into bars.

    Step by step photo instructions for making flapjacks.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Grease and line your baking tin with nonstick baking paper (parchment) to ensure the flapjacks don't stick to the sides of the tin.
    • Use a large non-stick heavy-based saucepan to melt the butter, brown sugars, and syrup together. It must be large enough to mix the oats in too.
    • Firmly pack down the flapjack mixture into the tin to ensure the bars stick together and don't crumble when cut.
    • Leave the flapjacks to cool completely in the tin before cutting them into bars.
    • Pop the tin in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    These easy flapjacks are perfect for a post-work-out energy boost, a quick grab-and-go breakfast, or an after-school snack for the kids.

    I often serve them for afternoon tea, alongside other classic bakes such as cherry scones, fruit scones, and chocolate tiffin.

    Flapjack bars on a wooden board.

    📖 Variations

    • Add in 50g of chopped pecan nuts for pecan flapjacks.
    • Drizzle the top of the flapjacks with dark chocolate or white chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt for extra decadence.
    • Mix in dried fruit such as raisins and chopped apricots for a fruitier flavour.
    • Add in chopped dates for sticky date flapjacks.
    • Swap the butter for peanut butter and make vegan peanut butter flapjacks.
    • Swap the golden syrup for honey.

    🥡 Storage

    Store: The flapjacks will keep in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Freeze: Freeze the flapjacks for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

    Soft squidgy flapjacks on a wooden board.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Can you freeze flapjacks?

    Yes! Place the flapjacks in layers (separated with baking paper) in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.

    Why do my flapjacks fall apart?

    Use ordinary rolled porridge oats (not jumbo oats) and allow them to cool completely before cutting the flapjack into bars.

    Should flapjack be soft when it comes out of the oven?

    Flapjack should be soft when you first take it out of the oven. It will set once cooled into the perfect chewy texture.

    What can I use instead of golden syrup in flapjacks?

    If you are unable to get hold of golden syrup then you can substitute it with runny honey, corn syrup, or maple syrup. The taste won't be quite the same though!

    Is flapjack a healthy snack?

    Flapjacks contain high levels of sugar and butter, meaning they should be enjoyed in moderation as a treat.

    😋 More flapjack recipes

    • Biscoff Flapjack
    • Air Fryer Flapjacks
    • No Bake Flapjacks
    • Christmas Mincemeat Flapjacks
    • Double Chocolate Chip Flapjacks
    • Apple Flapjacks
    • Date Flapjacks
    • Mincemeat Crumble Slices
    Flapjacks on a plate with a glass of milk.

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    Recipe

    Flapjacks on a plate.
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    5 from 9 votes

    Easy Flapjacks Recipe

    An easy flapjack recipe (golden syrup and oat bars) to make and bake at home. Soft, squidgy, and perfect for Afternoon tea!
    Course Baking, Bars
    Cuisine British
    Keyword best flapjack recipe, easy flapjack recipe, easy flapjacks, soft flapjack recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 22 minutes
    Total Time 27 minutes
    Servings 16
    Calories 238kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Saucepan
    • Wooden Spoon
    • 20 cm (8'') Square Baking Tin
    • Baking Paper

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 225 g Butter
    • 100 g Demerara Sugar
    • 100 g Light Brown Sugar
    • 5 tablespoon Golden Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 360 g Oats

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F). Grease and line a 20cm (8 inch) square baking tin with baking paper.
    • In a large saucepan melt together the butter, golden syrup, and sugars over a low heat.
      225 g Butter, 100 g Demerara Sugar, 100 g Light Brown Sugar, 5 tablespoon Golden Syrup
    • Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and oats.
      1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 360 g Oats
    • Press the mixture into a greased and lined 20cm square (8 inch) baking tin.
    • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden on top.
      💡 Pro Tip - the flapjack will still look soft when you take it out of the oven. It will firm up on cooling so don't be tempted to put it back in the oven.
    • Immediately score the top of the flapjacks with a sharp knife, then leave them to cool in the tin for at least 1 hour (I often leave them overnight) before cutting them into bars.

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Grease and line your baking tin with nonstick baking paper (parchment) to ensure the flapjacks don't stick to the sides of the tin.
    • Use a large non-stick heavy-based saucepan to melt the butter, brown sugars, and syrup together. It must be large enough to mix the oats in too.
    • Firmly pack down the flapjack mixture into the tin to ensure the bars stick together and don't crumble when cut.
     
    Variations:
    • Add in 50g of chopped pecan nuts for pecan flapjacks.
    • Drizzle the top of the flapjacks with dark chocolate or white chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt for extra decadence.
    • Mix in dried fruit such as raisins and chopped apricots for a fruitier flavour.
    • Add in chopped dates for sticky date flapjacks.
    • Swap the butter for peanut butter and make vegan peanut butter flapjacks.
     
    Storage:
    Store: The flapjacks will keep in an airtight container for up to a week.
    Freeze: Freeze the flapjacks for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Flapjacks Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    238
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    8
    g
    12
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    0.4
    g
    Sodium
     
    4
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    102
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    37
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    18
    g
    20
    %
    Protein
     
    6
    g
    12
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    7
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.4
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    35
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Bars & Brownies

    • Easy Air Fryer Flapjacks Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Brownies Recipe
    • Easy No Bake Flapjacks Recipe
    • Easy Mini Egg Rice Krispie Squares Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth

      October 31, 2022 at 5:29 pm

      5 stars
      These look so good! I love all the flavors and how healthy they are.

      Reply
    2. Tayler

      October 31, 2022 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for new snacks to make for the kids, and these flapjacks look perfect! Can't wit to give them a try!

      Reply
    3. Emily

      October 31, 2022 at 6:30 pm

      5 stars
      My kids and I loved these delicious flapjacks! They were simple to make and they didn’t last long. We will definitely be making again soon!

      Reply
    4. Jess

      October 31, 2022 at 6:44 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the pro-tip for how they will look when you take them out of the oven. I would have definitely put them back in the oven to continue cooking.

      Reply
    5. Sara Welch

      November 01, 2022 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      Enjoyed these for an afternoon treat, and they did not disappoint! Turned out perfectly sweet and delicious; easily, a new favorite recipe!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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