A Classic British Bake That Never Fails

There’s just something about the smell of buttery oats and golden syrup baking in the oven that makes your whole kitchen feel like a warm hug. That’s exactly what you get with these Traditional Flapjacks—a chewy, golden, and utterly satisfying British treat that’s as easy to make as it is to love.

I’ve been making flapjacks since I was a teenager, mostly because they were one of the first recipes I could pull off without burning something. I remember packing them into lunchboxes and sneaking a square (okay, two) before they’d even cooled completely. They’re cozy, simple, and taste like home.

These oat bars come together in just 35 minutes and only need a handful of basic ingredients—rolled oats, golden syrup, butter, and sugar. That’s it! And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert baker to make them. If you can melt butter and stir a pot, you’re golden—literally.

So, if you’re after a no-fuss recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, this one’s for you. Let’s jump into the ingredients and get started!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 150g unsalted butter

• 4 tbsp golden syrup

• 100g brown sugar

• 50g plain flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 300g rolled oats

• Pinch of salt (optional)

You probably already have most of this in your pantry. And yes—golden syrup is essential for that rich, caramel flavor traditional flapjacks are known for. If you’re outside the UK, you can usually find it in international or baking aisles, or online.

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Then grab a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin, grease it, and line it with parchment paper. This makes removing the flapjacks so much easier later—especially if you’re like me and prefer not to scrape caramelized oats off your favorite pan.

Step 2: Melt the Butter Mixture

In a large saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup over low heat. Stir occasionally until everything is melted together into a glossy, golden mix. The smell alone is enough to make your stomach growl!

Make sure not to let it boil—you want everything to melt gently to keep the sugars from crystallizing.

Step 3: Stir in the Dry Ingredients

Take the pan off the heat and stir in your rolled oats, plain flour, and baking powder. Give it a good mix until the oats are fully coated and there’s no dry flour hiding at the bottom. If you like a touch of savory contrast, toss in a pinch of salt at this stage. It really brings out the buttery sweetness.

Baking & Pro Tips for Perfect Flapjacks

Alright, now that your mixture is ready, it’s time to bake—and I promise, this part’s just as easy as the rest.

Step 4: Transfer to the Tin

Pour the sticky oat mixture into your lined tin. Use the back of a spoon (or your hands with parchment between!) to press the mixture down evenly. You want a firm, level surface so the bars hold together well once baked.

Don’t skip the pressing—it helps create that perfect chewy texture and prevents crumbling later.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to turn a deep golden brown, with the center still just slightly soft. That’s how you know they’ll stay chewy as they cool.

If you prefer crispier flapjacks, bake closer to the 25-minute mark. Want them softer and gooier? Pull them out around 20 minutes.

Step 6: Cool and Cut

Once baked, remove the flapjacks from the oven and let them cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. This is the magic window to cut them into squares or rectangles while they’re still warm but not too soft.

If you wait until they’re fully cool, they’ll be harder to slice neatly (but still totally delicious). Once cut, leave them to cool completely in the tin before lifting them out.

Flapjack Variations You’ll Love:

• Fruit & Nut: Add 50g of chopped dried fruit (like apricots or raisins) or nuts (like almonds or pecans) for texture and flavor.

• Chocolate Chip: Stir in a handful of chocolate chips once the mixture cools slightly—just before pressing into the pan.

• Seeded Flapjacks: Add sunflower or chia seeds for a nutritious twist.

• Spiced: A little cinnamon or nutmeg can add a lovely warming note.

These bars are super versatile. Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, you can tweak them to match your cravings or what’s hanging around in the cupboard.

FAQ & Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I substitute honey or maple syrup for golden syrup?
You can, but it will change the flavor and texture. Golden syrup gives flapjacks their unique chewiness and rich taste. Maple syrup or honey will make them softer and less caramel-like.

2. Why are my flapjacks falling apart?
They might be underbaked or not pressed firmly enough into the pan. Also, make sure to let them cool before removing them—flapjacks firm up as they cool.

3. Can I make these vegan?
Yes! Use plant-based butter or margarine and make sure your sugar is vegan-friendly. The rest of the ingredients are already plant-based.

4. How should I store flapjacks?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They also freeze well—just separate layers with parchment paper.

5. Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Rolled oats give the best texture, but if all you have is quick oats, you can use them—the flapjacks will be a little softer and less chewy.

6. Do flapjacks need flour?
Technically, no—but the flour helps bind everything and gives a bit of structure. You can omit it for a more traditional oat-only version, but they’ll be crumblier.

7. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just use a larger baking dish and increase baking time slightly—around 5 to 10 minutes longer depending on thickness.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a quick, reliable, and delicious snack recipe, these Traditional Flapjacks are a must-try. They’re chewy, buttery, and filled with that old-fashioned charm only a simple bake can deliver. Perfect for lunchboxes, road trips, or a cozy cuppa at home.

Try the basic version first, then experiment with all kinds of add-ins once you’re hooked (which you will be). I’d love to hear how yours turn out—drop your favorite flapjack twist in the comments or share a photo if you bake a batch!

What’s your go-to childhood treat you still love baking today?

Chewy Traditional Flapjacks – Easy British Oat Bars with Golden Syrup

---

• Author: Mouad Boulkhiout
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

These traditional British flapjacks are a sweet, chewy oat bar made with simple ingredients like rolled oats, golden syrup, butter, and brown sugar. Baked until golden and firm, they’re easy to prepare and make the perfect afternoon snack or lunchbox addition. This no-fuss recipe takes just 35 minutes from start to finish and is easily customizable with fruit, nuts, or chocolate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 150g unsalted butter

• 4 tbsp golden syrup

• 100g brown sugar

• 50g plain flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 300g rolled oats

• Pinch of salt (optional)

---

Instructions

• Preheat oven: Preheat to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F. Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin with parchment paper.

• Melt wet ingredients: In a large saucepan, melt the butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar over low heat, stirring until smooth.

• Combine with dry ingredients: Remove from heat. Stir in rolled oats, flour, baking powder, and an optional pinch of salt until well combined.

• Transfer to tin: Pour mixture into the prepared tin. Press down evenly with the back of a spoon to level it out.

• Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and slightly firm.

• Cool and cut: Let cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then cut into squares while still warm. Cool completely before serving.

Notes

• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

• Customizations: Add dried fruit, chopped nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips to vary the flavor.

• Texture tip: For softer flapjacks, bake for 20 minutes; for a firmer texture, go closer to 25 minutes.

• No golden syrup? Honey or maple syrup can be used, but the taste and texture will differ.

• Vegan-friendly version: Use dairy-free butter and ensure all ingredients are plant-based.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes