Follow along with our easy flapjack recipe for making Golden Syrup and Oat Bars using simple ingredients. Our recipe makes the best flapjacks ever, thick, chewy and sweet.
What are flapjacks?
Flapjacks are a British recipe made with only four ingredients: butter, sugar, porridge oats and golden syrup.
Not to be confused with an American flapjack which we call a pancake!
These delicious treats have been enjoyed in the UK for generations because they're so easy to make!
How to make flapjacks?
We have the best flapjack recipe for you, follow the video below or continue reading for more tips and tricks.
We also have chocolate flapjack and fruit flapjack recipes on our site that you may want to try!
Jump straight to flapjack recipe card for correct ingredients measurementsFlapjack Ingredients
Delicious and easy to make flapjack recipe, made with ingredients found at any grocery shop.
The simple ingredients, as well as suitable substitutes, are listed below:
Butter - Dairy-free butter alternatives can be used instead.
Light brown sugar - or demerara sugar.
Golden syrup - Honey, agave syrup or maple syrup can be used instead.
Porridge oats - Use instant or quick rolled oats for a soft texture. Jumbo rolled oats or old fashioned oats can be used for a firm, chewy bite.
Optional ingredients
You can, of course, add extra ingredients to this basic flapjack recipe like dried fruit, chocolate chips or seeds.
We will be making more variants to add to our blog soon and will add them here for you.
What baking tin to use?
For lovely thick, soft chewy flapjacks, we use a square baking tin measuring 8x8 inches (20x20 cm). You can use a bigger tray, but they will come out thinner.
You could also use an 8x8 round cake tin instead.
How to line a baking tin?
To line, a rectangular or square tin, put the tray or, if using a bottomless baking tray, the base on top of parchment paper.
Then simply cut corners away to meet the tin, as can be seen in the image above.
Once inside the tin, they will cover all the edges.
How to make flapjacks
Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup into a pan. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until the butter has melted together with the syrup and sugar has dissolved.
Finally, stir in the oats to form a sticky mixture.
Transfer mix to your prepared square baking tin lined with baking parchment.
Use a silicone spatula to flatten the oat mixture down evenly into the tin.
What temperature?
Preheat the oven to 180 / 160c fan gas mark 4 - 350 f. Check your oven setting and convert the temperature accordingly.
Bake in the oven for about 15 - 20 minutes until a pale golden brown on top. Keep an eye on them; you do not want them to burn around the edges.
Flapjacks soft after cooking.
When you remove the flap jacks from the oven, it is normal to be soft and look like they are not cooked. You need to allow them to cool for them to set and become harder!
Do not be tempted to cook longer, or they will overcook and become too hard when cooled!
How long to cool?
Flapjacks take about an hour to cool enough before being cut into neat squares or rectangles.
First, allow cooling for about 15 minutes in the tin before gently pulling out of the baking tin using the baking paper as a handle to help.
If you want, you can add a layer of chocolate as seen in our chocolate flapjack recipe.
Then allow another 40 minutes to cool completely. Putting it in the fridge to cool will help with cutting the flapjacks too!
Once the flapjack slab has completely cooled, you can cut into large rectangles or cut into squares for smaller snack-size treats.
We made eight large oat bars. But you can cut them all in half again to make 16 squares.
This is optional, but I like to trim the outside edges.
It smartens up the slaps, and the edges are always a bit chewier than the inside. Don't worry; they don't go to waste; we still eat them!
These are the perfect treat for any picnic, lunch box after-school snack or afternoon tea. I guarantee that these will be gone before you know it.
How to store flapjacks?
Leftover flapjacks can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To prevent them from sticking together, use a napkin between each flapjack slice.
You can also freeze flapjacks and defrost as and when you want them!
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Easy Flapjacks Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 200 gram Light Brown sugar or demerara sugar.
- 250 gram Butter
- 5 tablespoon Golden Syrup or honey, agave syrup or maple syrup
- 350 gram Oats instant or quick rolled oats for a soft texture jumbo rolled oats for a chewy texture
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°c / 160°c fan gas 4 / 350 °F. Prepare the baking tin by lining it with baking parchment. We use a 8 x 8 inch square tin loose-bottomed cake tin, if using a longer tin they will come out thinner.Make sure parchment paper is longer than the tray to make it easier to remove later. See blog post for advice.
- Put the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a pan together.200 gram Light Brown sugar, 250 gram Butter, 5 tablespoon Golden Syrup
- Melt the ingredients together on low heat. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
- Once melted turn off the heat and add oats
- Stir oats into the butter, sugar and syrup until well coated and it forms a sticky mixture350 gram Oats
- Transfer into the lined baking tray
- Push down with a silicone spatula
- Bake for 15 -20 minutes in an oven set to 180°c / 160°c fan gas 4 / 350 °F
- Remove from the oven, they will still be soft, don't worry this is normal they firm up as they cool. Do not be tempted to cook for longer!
- Leave to cool still in the tin for at least 20 minutes. Once the tin has cooled down, place it in the fridge. This will cool the flapjack mixture and make it set hard. The longer the better for neater cuts I suggest 2 hours+.
- Once completely cooled and firm, gently lift flapjack slab out with the baking parchment.
- Use a sharp knife to cut into rectangles or squares!
- Makes 8 large rectangular flapjacks or 16 treat size squares.
- Best served at room temperature, for a soft chewy texture.
Video
Nutrition
More Baking Recipes
Looking for more baking recipes, try our Chocolate Chip Brownies. Another classic British recipe Rock Cakes or our delicious Chocolate Victoria Sponge.
We hope you enjoy this oaty flap jack recipe as much as our family; please leave us a comment letting us know how you get on and what you like to add to your flapjacks?
paige Twose
Followed this recipe to a tea after 15 minutes I checked and it was bubbling so left it for another five but it was still the same, had to try add more oats to absorb all the liquid, what went wrong?
Amy Liu Dong
Such easy and delicious oatmeal bars to make. I have all the ingredients and I am so ready to make this right now!
Thank you!
Luke and Kay
Thank you for the kind review, Amy! We're so delighted to know our Easy Flapjacks Recipe is everything you need and more. It's amazing to hear that you already have all the ingredients ready, we hope your oatmeal bars are delicious. Let us know once you make them, we'd love to hear how they came out.
We truly appreciate your enthusiastic feedback and look forward to hearing from you soon. Enjoy the flapjacks 🙂
Dana Delaney
The recipe is likely fine, except my very English husband insists that next time I use a larger tin so that they are not so thick (as his mum always made them thinner).
And as a help to other people, do not make them with Country Crock dairy free "butter". Goodness! They are SO GREASY, like enough to run off when the pan is tilted.
I will try this recipe again, but using real butter (with a low water content) and a larger baking tin.
Luke and Kay
Hi Dana, thank you so much for taking the time to write a review for our Flapjack recipe! We are delighted to hear that your husband gave it a thumbs up!
Let us know how it goes with using real butter 🙂
Jackie
I love this recipe so much! Chewy but crunchy on the sides, and it tastes amazing!
Luke and Kay
Hi Jackie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you loved our flapjacks recipe. The balance between chewy and crunchy is exactly what we were aiming for. 🙂
Matt
Hi, are the calories per serving? As in 529kcal per serving?
Thanks
Luke and Kay
Hi Matt
This is correct 529kcal per large bar that is cut, or if you cut into 16 pieces this will be halved.
This is not a healthy snack but but great if you want a naughty sweet treat LOL 🙂
Andrea Lloyd
I've just made using exact ingredients but a 6.5 x8 inch tray. After 20 mins there was a puddle of butter on top?.. I baked for a further 15...took out of tray and placed on baking tray and flattened down. Is done now but lots of butter oozing out still on tray?
Lauren
Every time I make flapjacks the bottom is really sticky and falls apart when I try lift from the baking paper - what am I doing wrong? 🙁
shanequa
really good results
Luke and Kay
Hi Shanequa,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with our Flapjack recipe! We appreciate you taking the time to try it out and provide us with valuable feedback. We're thrilled to hear that you got such good results.:)
Caz
Hi. I absolutely love this recipe and was wondering, if I were to use a 13x9 pan, would I use 1.5 times recipe or double (I want a good thickness) and bake for approx 30/35 mins, do you think this would work?
Luke and Kay
Hi Caz, thanks for the question; as you said, 1.5 times the recipe or double will work, but I would recommend baking for about 30 mins as any longer, the sides will probably burn and get too crispy.
It may seem too soft when it comes out of the oven, but it will firm back up once cooled in the fridge and the butter goes firm.
Hope this helps, and enjoy the flapjacks 🙂
Lisa
Easy recipe, however when cooled they were rock hard! Where did I go wrong?
Luke and Kay
Thanks for the question Lisa
Once they've chilled in the fridge,and you have sliced them into desired-size pieces. They are best served at room temperature for a softer texture as the butter will have a chance to soften.
Hope this helps and you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Diane Green
my grandchidren love flapjacks and this is an easy recipe for them to d.o by themselves
Luke and Kay
Yes, they will love it! The hardest thing for our kids is being patient whilst the flapjacks set! Another easy one for the kids to make our our Chocolate Cornflake Cakes and our childrens favourite Rock Cakes we have chocolate rock cake recipe too.
Clare Livermore
Mixture very wet after 20mins they were nice and brown . Should I bake for longer? hopefully they will firm up as really soppy still. Don't know why this is.
Luke and Kay
Clare, place the flapjacks in the fridge; once it has cooled down, the butter will firm back up, making the flapjack easy to cut into squares
Hope this helps and you enjoy our flapjack recipe 🙂
Rachel
Really gooey at the bottom but nice texture through the the rest, what I have done wrong? Thanks.
Luke and Kay
The only thing i can think is to leave the flapjacks longer in the fridge until the butter is completely firm before cutting into squares
Hope this helps 🙂
Jenna
Honestly I haven't even made the flapjacks yet, but 5* just for the tip about lining the baking tray! It's probably so obvious to most people but I've never ever seen it explained before and I am astounded!
Thank you!
Luke and Kay
Thank you for your kind review, Jenna. We appreciate it so much that you took the time to provide us a 5-star review before even making the flapjacks!
We're so pleased our instructions were able to offer some helpful tips and tricks, such as lining your baking tray -- that little extra step can make all the difference.
We hope you enjoy the flapjacks and thank you again for choosing our recipe. 🙂
Chloe Johnson
Gorgeous flapjacks so super easy to make , so tasty! Will definitely be making again! X
Luke and Kay
Thank you for your glowing review of our flapjack recipe, Chloe! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed making it so much and that the outcome was delicious. 🙂
Tom
If I add apricots, do I need to remove anything? Maybe some oats?
Nina
i tried some any flapjacks recipes some would be crumbly or crunchy always a disappointment, this is the best recipe I’ve found been been looking for a recipe for soft chewy flapjacks and so glad I came across these, amazing taste and texture not over sweet like other recipes. I did add some flour because that helps to keep flapjacks soft/chewy and I added some sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Luke and Kay
Thank you for trying our Flapjack recipe, Nina! We're glad to hear you found it easy to follow and that the end result was just as you hoped - delicious and soft/chewy. 🙂
Heidi
These go down a storm at my house. I’m having to make double batches to make them last!! We also added mini marshmallows to ours 🤤
Luke and Kay
Thank you for your kind words, Heidi! We're so happy to hear that you and your family enjoy our Flapjack recipe. Adding mini marshmallows is a delicious suggestion - we'll have to give it a try! Thank you for being a fan of our recipes. 🙂
Em
If i use the double ratio recipe is the cooking time the same? Thanks
Kay
Thanks for the question Em
I would advise using two separate tins if you double up the ingredients. It will be very thick and won't cook evenly if you use one tin.
I hope you enjoy the flapjacks 🙂
Karen Lowes
Absolutely fantastic flapjack recipe easy to make, delicious texture and very more ish. I added dried soft apricots to mine. Which then makes them healthier lol x
Kay
Hi Karen, thank you for trying out our Easy Flapjack Recipe and for sharing your feedback with us. We're so happy to hear that you liked the recipe and found it easy to make. The addition of dried soft apricots sounds like a delicious variation - we'll have to give it a try! Thank you again for giving our recipe a go and we hope you'll enjoy it again soon. 🙂
El
Really good and easy I added dates kids loved them
Luke and Kay
Thank you for letting us know about your experience with our flapjack recipe, El! It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed making it, as well as that your children liked the flavour. 🙂
Chris
Great recipe but the ads make navigation so painful!
Kay
Hi Chris
Thanks for the comment
You're right, and I completely get it - with adverts but this is how we make money and we can't make these recipes and put them out weekly for free.
We appreciate your feedback on this issue but in order for us to continue posting new content the adverts will always be on our site, so we can continue to put out great content for people to use in the future 🙂
Hope you can understand and return to enjoy more of our recipes 😉
Nicole Rincon
Lovely simple recipe and so delicious I ate far too much and they didn’t last long! I did bake them a little longer than stated in the recipe as we like them a bit more crispy.
Kay
Thank you, Nicole! We're so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Easy flapjacks are definitely a crowd-pleaser!
Tristin Rieken
So delicious and just the right amount of sweetness in these flapjack oat bars. I made the recipe as stated with salted butter and allowed to rest 1 hour before cutting. I didn't think they were too greasy at all. Next time I will try with some dried fruit and chopped nuts mixed in to make them like a sweet version of American granola bars since my kids loved these so much. Thanks!
Kay
Thank you for trying our Easy flapjack recipe, Tristin! We're so glad you enjoyed it and that it was just the right amount of sweetness for you. 🙂
We love hearing feedback like this about our recipes, and we're happy to hear your kids loved them too. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, and we hope you'll try out some of our other recipes soon. 😉
Jamie
These were so soft and chewy! I love how simple the ingredients list is and how easy is it to make!
Kay
Thank you for trying our Easy Flapjack Recipe, Jamie! We're so happy you enjoyed it and found the ingredients list and preparation to be simple. We hope you'll make them again soon! 🙂
Tayler
These bars are so delicious! I make them all the time and my kids love them!
Kay
Thank you for your kind words Tayler; we're so happy you and your kids enjoy our recipe!
Dana
These are delicious! Such a great snack or on-the-go breakfast! Thanks so much for this recipe.
Kay
We're so happy you enjoy our easy flapjack recipe Dana! They are a delicious and convenient snack or on-the-go breakfast. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on them. 😉
Mirlene
Mines came out great! They were easy to make and the smell was as delicious as it tasted!
Kay
Thank you for trying our Easy flapjack recipe, Mirlene! We're so glad that you enjoyed it and found it easy to make. The smell is definitely one of the best parts! 🙂 Thanks again for giving it a try. 🙂
BB
Far too much butter! Other recipes use twice as much oats as butter, which is a much better ration.
Kay
Thanks for your comment BB
We created this recipe with a higher butter ratio because it made a better texture, thicker, and taller results that don't crumble. Making a more luxurious treat compared to other flapjack recipes we have tried in the past. 🙂
It does come down to preference when cooking your flapjacks; if you want them healthier, firm and crumbly, add more oats; if you like them soft and chewy and more of a treat as in the pictures, stick with the recipe we have supplied.
Mandymoo
My greaseproof paper is soooo greasy afterwards. I don't know why., any advice?
Kay
The reason for this is greaseproof paper is an impermeable paper made for baking and this is why is does not allow the grease to pass through it; the reason why you use parchment paper is to stop the flap jack from sticking to the tin.
This recipe does require a lot of butter, which always gonna be greasy, but it's a very tasty and naughty treat lol
Charlotte
Followed the recipe exactly. Thought the mix looked quite wet when I had mixed the oats in but popped it in the oven anyway. Baked for 20 mins and it still looked very liquid but figured it needed to cool to firm up. After half an hour cooling, still very gooey in the middle and the butter had started separating and pooling on top
I popped them back in the oven at a lower temp, with foil on top to try and set the centre. After another 5-10 mins took them out and let them cool fully.
They did set mostly but the middles are still quite squidgy, the bottoms are heavy with butter and syrup (there's a visible line that shows butter and syrup all pooled the bottom) and the edges are very very chewy.
The flavour is pretty good (I'll admit I'm still eating them ha) but the overall texture implies I must have made a mistake somewhere, what could i have done wrong?
Jessica
i did them but when they were in the oven fir 20mins they were so greasy and liquidy on top. What's wrong? Also can I add more oats
Kay
Hi Jessica, thanks for trying out our recipe! We're sorry its taken us a while to reply.
Its normal for flapjacks to look too soft, liquidy and greasy when they come out of the oven. They are still very hot so the butter is in a melted state.
Whilst they cool the butter continues to soak into the oats and returns to a solid state.
Different oats may make a difference some may not soak as much butter up so you can add more oats if it seems overly greasy whilst mixing together in the pan before transferring to the baking tray.
Also, make sure it is real butter that you have used not margarine or a soft spread.
Sian
Very greasy, needs more oats. I would used at least 450g rather than the 350g stated in the recipe.
Luke
Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy our Flapjack recipe; you certainly can add more oats, but adding too much will make the flapjack crumble 🙂
It would be a healthier option if you don't like it too buttery,
Lets us know how it comes out with more oats 😉
Debbie
Very good recipie, thankyou. Should I use salted or unsalted butteŕ please? Would like to improve the flavour please. It was a bit greasy to taste - maybe buy branded ingredients or use some maple syrup? Thankyou.
Kay
Thank you, Debbie, for the comment 🙂
We use unsalted butter when making our flapjacks; you could use salted if you prefer. We like to use the President brand of butter; I never tried using maple syrup; we will have to give it a try or let us know how you get on if you make them with syrup 😉
Enjoy!!
Diana
Thanks for this perfect recipe! I added some dried fruit just because, and they turned out beautifully. I also dribbled some melted dark chocolate over them once they cooled... I may not lose any weight anytime soon, but who cares!! Dx
Kay
Thank you for the comment and rating, Diana, it's really appreciated 🙂
Flapjacks with chocolate are delicious, I like to add dried apricots with ours sometimes 😉
If you like dried fruits you might like our Manor House Sultana Cake.
or for another easy recipe try out our Rock Cakes - Old Fashioned British Recipe.
Enjoy!!
Emi
This recipe was so easy to follow and my flapjacks came out perfectly, soft and chewy! My baking tins aren’t very deep so I increased the ingredients by 50% to make two portions, one with currents and one with chocolate chips! The recipe didn’t specify which type of butter to use so I used salted and it tasted amazing
Tracy Kerslake
Best recipe I have found, easy to follow and they taste great
Kay
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear that you think this is the best flapjack recipe around; we think so too! If you're looking for more easy and delicious British baking recipes, be sure to check out our Rock Cakes - Old Fashioned British Recipe.
Kath Daly
fantastic flapjacks. just the recipe I've been looking for.will be bookmarking this page for when I make my next batch.
Kay
Thank you so much, Kath 🙂
So pleased you liked our flapjack recipe and its been bookmarked to make in the future 😉
Enjoy!!
emily
I’m from the uk and i’ve never been able to find a good flapjack recipe before this- they’re perfect, just like from shops and cafes! Can’t believe an american recipe was the answer to my prayers!
Luke
Thank you for that great review, Emily 🙂
We made this recipe for the same reasons, we all love flapjacks, and homemade is always best 😉
Just to let you know, we are UK Food bloggers, excellent to hear our recipe is just like the shops and cafes; that's exactly what we wanted!
Aya
These flapjacks are so convenient! They are easy to make and taste delicious. I have them with me when I go out and need a quick boost of energy. Thanks for a great recipe!
Kay
Thank you so much, Aya
So pleased you like our flapjack recipe 🙂
They do make the perfect snack and give you a good sugar boost!!
Colleen
I too, always think of pancakes when I hear "flapjack". So of course I had to make these. So easy to make and they were a hit! Thanks for sharing.
Kay
Thanks, Colleen
We hear this a lot with flapjacks and Pancakes lol
Glad you liked our flapjack recipe 🙂
Tyanne
Such a beautiful texture! Perfect breakfast any day of the week.
Kay
Thank you so much Tyanne
This makes a great breakfast or snack for any day of the week 🙂
Enjoy!!
Kemi
I'm in the UK and will try this recipe as they look delicious.
Kay
Thanks, Kemi
Hope you enjoy our flapjack recipe, let us know your thoughts?
Linda
Like Kristin, I didn't know the difference in names! Your flapjacks would be called oat bars here in the states...flapjacks is way more fun! This is the perfect recipe to make with my kiddo to get him invested in his breakfast / snack!
Kristin
I had no idea there was a difference between American and British flapjacks! These look delicious. I can't wait to try these...my family will be very surprised when I tell them that these are flapjacks!
Kay
Thank you, Kristin 🙂
Hope you enjoy our UK Flapjacks lol 😉
Have fun making and eating!!