If you are looking for a simple, and delicious, treat to bake with the kids then give these Chocolate Flapjacks a try. Super simple to put together and then just 30 minutes in the oven. Soft and chewy flapjacks (the way they should be), drizzled with dark chocolate are the perfect afternoon treat or packed up for a picnic.
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Just 5 ingredients go into making these chocolate flapjacks, and they couldn't be easier. Just melt the butter and sugar together and stir in the oats and golden syrup.
Put it in a lined pan and bake for 30 minutes and then drizzle with chocolate. Kids can get involved with all the mixing and they will LOVE drizzling the chocolate on at the end, and then licking the spoon.
This is a great rainy day baking activity, as it uses ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboards.
It's also easy to adapt with different additions like nuts and dried fruit, and different chocolate can be used for the drizzle at the end too.
If you are looking for more flapjack recipes, try our lightened up Healthy Flapjacks, festive Mincemeat Flapjacks or our tasty Cinnamon Flapjacks.
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Why You Will Love Them
- A super simple recipe to make with kids
- Uses ingredients that you probably already have in your cupboard
- Just 5 ingredients
- Easy to adapt with different additions
- Just one bowl and one pan to make them
- They freeze well, which is great for portion control.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oats - We used rolled oats in our flapjacks, as we find that it holds together a lot better. However, you can use whole oats, you will just get a more crumbly texture.
- Sugar - We used brown sugar as we find it has a real depth of flavour and gives the flapjacks that amazing golden colour. You could swap it for granulated sugar though, and it would be the same measurements.
- Golden syrup - This recipe is pretty much the only thing we use golden syrup for, but it's still a cupboard staple. This adds the sweetness and holds the flapjacks together.
- Butter - This is what helps to keep the flapjacks nice and soft. We used unsalted butter.
- Chocolate - We used dark chocolate, as it has such a strong flavour so you don't have to use as much of it. We have some other options when it comes to chocolate though, and there is more on that below.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
Step by Step Instructions
One: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4. Put the butter and sugar in a pan and melt over a gentle heat.
Two: Remove from the heat and stir in the the oats and golden syrup. Mix well.
Three: Grease and line an 8x10" (200x250cm) baking tin. Add the mixture and press into the tin, smoothing out. Bake for 30 minutes. It will feel soft when removed form the oven, but will harden on cooling.
Four: Cut into slices while warm and drizzle with melted chocolate.
Add-ins
Flapjacks are so easy to adapt, which is one of the things we love about them. Use this as a base recipe and then feel free to add in all of your favourite ingredients. Although, maybe not all at the same time.
Some of our favourite add-ins are:
- Chocolate - we have used dark chocolate, but white or milk works well too. Why not go for a flavoured chocolate like chocolate orange?
- Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or cherries are all great)
- Nut butter (cashew is our favourite, but peanut and almond both taste good too)
- Cocoa powder
- Mashed banana
Extra Tips
- Try not to overheat the butter, otherwise it will split like it has in our photo. However it won't make much of a difference to the final taste and texture.
- Add a pinch of salt to intensify the flavour. However we left this out as we were making it for kids to eat.
- Make these gluten free by by using gluten free oats.
- Leave them to cool completely before cutting. This allows them to firm up and keep their shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
These flapjacks are sticky, soft and chewy on the inside and a nice crisp coating - just the way flapjacks should be. If you wanted your flapjacks harder and crispier, then simply bake them for 5 minutes longer.
It's really easy to make these cinnamon flapjacks vegan. Simply swap the butter for your favourite dairy free alternative and then make sure that any toppings or add-ins are vegan too.
These flapjacks will keep in an air tight container for around a week to 10 days. After that they will start to dry out. You can also freeze them, individually wrapped in cling film and then put in a ziplock freezer bag, and they will keep in the freezer for about a month. You can defrost them individually in the fridge.
If your flapjacks turn out really hard, and not soft and chewy, then there are a couple of reasons. Firstly, you could have over boiled the sugar and butter. It needs to just simmer on a low heat to melt it together. If could also be because it was in the oven too long, or the oven was too hot. Every oven differs, so having an oven thermometer would help.
The flapjacks will still feel soft to touch, as they will harden outside of the oven when they are cooling.
Yes, you can replace golden syrup for honey in equal measurements.
More Dessert Recipes
If you've tried this chocolate flapjack recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chocolate Flapjacks
Ingredients
- 250 g (3 cups) Oats - (use certified gluten free oats to ensure this recipe is gluten free)
- 130 g (0.66 cups) Butter - plus extra for greasing
- 125 g (0.66 cups) Light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoon Golden syrup
- 100 g (0.5 cups) Chocolate - dark
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4. Grease and line an 8x10" (200x250cm) baking tin.
- Put 130 g Butter and 125 g Light brown sugar into a pan and melt over a gentle heat.
- Remove from the heat and stir in 250 g Oats and 6 tablespoon Golden syrup. Mix well.
- Press the oat mixture into the tin, smoothing out. Bake for 30 minutes. It will feel soft when removed form the oven, but will harden on cooling.
- Cut into slices while warm and drizzle with 100 g Chocolate (melted).
Recipe Tips
- Try not to over heat the butter, otherwise it will split like it has in our photo. However it won't make much of a difference to the final taste and texture.
- Add a pinch of salt to intensify the flavour. However we left this out as we were making it for kids to eat.
- Make these gluten free by by using gluten free oats
- Leave them to cool completely before cutting. This allows them to firm up and keep their shape.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
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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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Angela says
My kids loved these flapjacks. So easy to add to their school lunches.