This easy recipe for Classic British Flapjacks makes a simple treat that can be made by anyone from amateur bakers to seasoned professionals.
An Easy Britsh Flapjack Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again
When I moved to England, this was a treat I loved from the start. I mean what’s not to love? Oats coated in sweet buttery syrup – Amazing! These crisp, chewy bars are a sweet treat the whole family will devour!
Being so easy, this is a great recipe to get the kids in the kitchen. All you do is melt butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup in a pan, add the oats and coat before baking – once you see how simple they are to throw together, you’ll be making them on a regular basis!
Watch How to Make Britsh Flapjacks
Why This Recipe Works
- The addition of brown sugar adds an extra depth of flavor you won’t get with the syrup alone.
- Using salted butter adds more flavor than with recipes made with unsalted butter.
- The simple recipe makes it a dessert anyone can make regardless of the baking skill level.
What Is A Flapjack
A flapjack is an oat bar popular in the UK. They’re typically made with butter, old-fashioned oats, and Golden Syrup. Although they’re often made at home, they are commonly found in bakeries, ready-made in grocery stores and shops.
Should Flapjacks Be Crisp or Chewy
This is a timeless debate. Some think crispy and just as many will say chewy. In my opinion, it should be somewhere in between. If you like a crisper flapjack, use a shallower baking pan and bake at a higher temperature.
What Syrup For Flapjacks
This recipe calls for either Golden Syrup or Maple Syrup. If in the US, I recommend pure maple syrup as opposed to pancake syrup as pancake maple syrup may be too sweet. You are looking for a buttery, sticky, sweet treat, not something sickly.
How to Make Classic British Flapjacks
Start with melting butter in a pan.
Add the syrup, brown sugar and melt together until fluid.
Add the oats.
Coat well with the syrup mixture.
Spread evenly into an 8-inch square pan.
Bake until golden.
Allow cooling before slicing into bars.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips For Perfect Flapjacks
- Use old fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats won’t work in this recipe.
- If in the US, use pure maple syrup as opposed to pancake syrup as pancake maple syrup may be too sweet.
- When melting the butter and sugar together cook over low heat. Higher heat can end up hard and taffy-like.
- When baking, watch closely and remove from the oven when the edges are golden. Overcooking may result in a hard, crunchy flapjack.
- For a crisper flapjack, use a shallower baking pan and bake at a higher temperature.
Flapjack FAQs
How long will flapjacks last? Stored in an airtight container, flapjacks will last up to 5 days.
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Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup golden syrup or pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups Old fashioned/rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F
- Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, syrup, vanilla and cook until the sugar is dissolved and fluid (being careful not to boil).
- Add the oats and mix until well coated.
- Spread evenly into the prepared pan and bake 15-20 minutes or until golden.
Video
Notes
- Use old fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats won't work in this recipe.
- If in the US, use pure maple syrup as opposed to pancake syrup as pancake maple syrup may be too sweet.
- When melting the butter and sugar together cook over low heat. Higher heat can end up hard and taffy-like.
- When baking, watch closely and remove from the oven when the edges are golden. Overcooking may result in a hard, crunchy flapjack.
- For a crisper flapjack, use a shallower baking pan and bake at a higher temperature.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in Oct of 2019 but was republished in October with a video and step by step instructions.
Sho says
Hello Erren, can I had raisins/sultanas and if so will there be any other changes to the classic recipe
Erren's Kitchen says
No, it won’t change anything at all! Let me know how it goes Sho!
Julie McLaren says
I think 375 degrees is too hot, mine were bubbling in the oven and therefore ended up with candied edges. I’ll try 350 degrees next time. Anyone trying out this recipe should definitely line their pan with parchment paper (overlapping the pan handles/sides on two sides) because doing so will help lift it out of the cooled pan, for final separation of the squares. Because mine developed candied edges, only the inner pieces were anything like the chewy flapjacks I made in school in the UK; maybe we didn’t use sugar at all, it’s possible we only used golden syrup? Thanks for posting the recipe and getting me experimenting again, baking things my grandmother probably made without any written down recipe.
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you for your feedback and your pointers, I’m glad I could inspire you again!
Krista says
What a great recipe! I cannot wait to try it!
Taylor says
I’ve never tried these before…they look delicious! Must try soon!
Beth Pierce says
These sound deliciously sweet and crunchy! Looking forward to enjoying these!
Erren's Kitchen says
Thank you, Beth!
Sara Welch says
I’ve never given flapjacks a try, but you make these look so easy and delicious; I am going to give these a shot over spring break!
Erren's Kitchen says
You won’t regret it, Sara!
Katerina @ diethood .com says
I have never had one of these, but they sound amazing!! I will definitely be trying this!
Erren's Kitchen says
Katerina, you will love them!
Shannon Graham says
I had always thought flapjacks were pancakes! These look so good and I love that I learned something new from it too!
Erren's Kitchen says
I know it is strange how so many words can be so many different things!
Terri says
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of these ! I’ve made many of your recipes and have never been disappointed. I’ll be making these very soon – excellent timing for Maple Syrup season. Thanks.
Erren's Kitchen says
Your feedback has made my day, Terri!
Jan Counts says
What kind of syrup u say golden
Erren Hart says
Hi Jan, if you look in the post there is an explanation for what golden syrup is.
Patricia M Madden says
Hi Jan, You probably have your answer by now. FYI, Stop & Shop carries Lyles Syrup in their Specialty aisle along with other British products.
Erren Hart says
Thanks, Jan!