Easy no-bake flapjacks, loaded with creamy peanut butter and sweet golden syrup. Whip them up in no time without the need for an oven!
Soft and chewy in texture, the no bake oat bars are perfect with a glass of milk or cup of tea at snack time! You might also like my air fryer flapjacks!
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We all love flapjacks in this house, particularly these sticky date flapjacks, which were developed from this reliable basic flapjack recipe passed down to me through generations!
The fantastic thing about this no-bake flapjack recipe is that you don't need an oven to prepare them!
With just a few simple variations, you can customise the flapjacks to suit your taste. Whether you prefer them with dried fruits, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts, you can easily make these no-bake peanut butter flapjacks your own creation.
👩🍳 Love flapjacks? Try my easy Biscoff flapjacks next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Easy no cook flapjacks.
- Uses store-cupboard ingredients.
- Great for lunchboxes and picnics.
- Freezer-friendly.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Butter - unsalted butter is best.
Golden Syrup - or swap for honey.
Sugar - light brown sugar gives the best soft texture but you could also use demerara sugar or caster sugar.
Peanut Butter - a small amount of smooth peanut butter helps to bind the mixture together.
Vanilla Extract - use a good quality vanilla extract.
Oats - rolled oats or porridge oats but don't use jumbo oats as they don't absorb the melted butter very well.
🔪 How to make no bake flapjack
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Line a 20 cm (8 inch) square baking tin with baking paper or non stick parchment paper.
Two: In a large saucepan melt together the butter, golden syrup, brown sugar, and peanut butter over a low-medium heat. Stir often with a wooden spoon to prevent the mixture from burning.
Three: Take the melted butter mixture off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and porridge oats.
Four: Firmly press the flapjack mixture into the prepared tin (I use the back of a heavy metal spoon), and allow the flapjack to set in the fridge for 1 hour (or until firm to touch). Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
Top Tips
- Jumbo oats and quick-cook oats don't work so well in this recipe. Normal porridge oats or rolled oats are best.
- When you pour the mixture into the lined tin, make sure to press down firmly with the back of a spoon to ensure that the mixture is evenly distributed and packed tightly. This will help to prevent the bars from falling apart when cut.
- When melting the butter, sugar, peanut butter, and golden syrup, make sure to do so over a low heat to prevent the mixture from burning. You should also take the saucepan off the heat as soon as the ingredients are fully combined.
- After pouring the mixture into the tin, chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let it set. This will help to prevent the bars from falling apart when you cut them.
🍴 Serving suggestions
These no-bake flapjacks make the perfect after-school treat, best enjoyed with a refreshing glass of milk or a comforting cup of tea. Their portability also makes them an ideal addition to packed lunches and picnic baskets.
I also like to serve them for afternoon tea with my air fryer scones, cucumber sandwiches, and mini sausage rolls.
📖 Variations
- Add dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, dates, or apricots for a fruity twist.
- Add dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips and drizzle with melted milk chocolate for no bake chocolate flapjacks.
- Replace the golden syrup with honey or maple syrup (you might like to try my maple syrup flapjacks too) for a different flavour.
- Sprinkle some coconut flakes or sesame seeds on top for crunch and texture.
- Swap the vanilla extract for ground cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger.
🥡 Storage
Store - No-bake flapjacks (oat bars) are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature, or if it's very warm, in the fridge. This will help to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out or becoming too soft. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freeze - You can also freeze no-bake flapjacks for a longer shelf life. Place the bars in a single layer in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make these flapjacks up to 3 days in advance and store them in the fridge until you're ready to serve.
Yes, you can use other types of syrup such as maple syrup or corn syrup, but the flavour of the bars may be affected. Golden syrup is traditional in flapjacks and provides a unique and delicious flavour.
Yes, it is recommended to chill the no bake flapjack in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars. This will help to set the mixture and prevent the bars from falling apart when you cut them.
If you would rather not add the peanut butter, just replace it with the same amount of normal butter or Biscoff spread.
😋 More no bake recipes
- Malteser Tiffin
- No Bake Protein Balls
- No Bake Chocolate Nutella Biscuit Slices
- White Chocolate Tiffin
- Mini Egg Rice Krispie Squares
- Easter Rocky Road
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Cracknell
More recipes using oats
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Recipe
Easy No Bake Flapjacks
Would you like to save this?
We'll email you this post for easy access later! You'll also join the Effortless Foodie mailing list and receive my popular 'No Bake Bars and Slices' eBook for free!
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Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 115 g Butter
- 110 g Light Brown Sugar
- 60 g Golden Syrup
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 265 g Porridge Oats
Instructions
- Line a 20cm (8 inch) square baking tin with baking paper or non stick parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan melt together the butter, golden syrup, brown sugar, and peanut butter over a low-medium heat. Stir often with a wooden spoon to prevent the mixture from burning.115 g Butter, 110 g Light Brown Sugar, 60 g Golden Syrup, 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
- Take the melted butter mixture off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and porridge oats.½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 265 g Porridge Oats
- Firmly press the flapjack mixture into the prepared tin (I use the back of a heavy metal spoon), and allow the flapjack to set in the fridge for 1 hour (or until firm to touch). Use a sharp knife to cut into bars.
Notes
- Add dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries, dates or apricots for a fruity twist.
- Add dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips and drizzle with melted milk chocolate for no bake chocolate flapjacks.
- Replace the golden syrup with honey or maple syrup (you might like to try my maple syrup flapjacks too) for a different flavour.
- Sprinkle some coconut flakes or sesame seeds on top for crunch and texture.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
What a great idea. These are so much easier than baking and I love the peanut butter flavour too.
Tayler says
I love a good no bake dessert recipe, and I can't wait to make this one with the kids this weekend!
Dannii says
Such a great snack for kids and even better that it's no bake.
Gina Abernathy says
Quick, delicious, and easy! You had me at peanut butter.
Ned says
Awesomeness! I loved that I didn't have to heat up my house to make these. These are so yummy our kids ate them up in a hurry. Thank you!
Daniel says
After putting the mixture into the tin, I laid a 20cm x 20cm air fryer liner on top of the mixture. You can then flatten/smooth the mixture and keep your hands clean/from touching the mixture.