Flapjacks were always a favorite when I was a kid, and I have lightened them up by sweetening them with banana and honey for these Healthy Flapjacks and they always go down well with my kids. These refined sugar free flapjacks are perfect for lunch boxes and so easy that kids can get involved with making them. There are also so many ways to adapt them with your favorite mix-ins too and they are cooked in just 20 minutes too and freezable.
First up, I want to be honest with you. These are never going to taste exactly like traditional flapjacks, as they are a healthier version. They don't have that same crispiness and texture, because they don't have golden syrup and brown sugar in.
You also don't get that teeth-covered-in-sugar feeling from eating them! If that is what you are looking for, then try our Chocolate Flapjacks recipe.
However, these are still amazing! You still get that sweetness from the honey and banana and the chewiness from the oats. They are only 150 calories per flapjack, compared to over 300 for sugary buttery ones.
These are almost fat free, as we haven't used any butter. More like a sweet oat bar, than a traditional flapjack, kids will love these healthy flapjacks and will love mixing everything together and eating the mixture off the spoon. You can also make them a high fiber flapjack by adding lots of seeds in.
Looking for more ways to use oats? Why not try our delicious Breakfast Cake, filling Easy Baked Oats or our 2 ingredient Healthy Banana Oat Cookies?
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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 healthy flapjack recipe, as we find that it holds together a lot better. However, you can use whole oats, you will just get a more crumbly texture.
- Bananas - This is what replaces the butter and adds sweetness. You want really ripe bananas, but not over ripe black bananas. Try to go with ones that have black spots on the peel.
- Honey - We have given these healthy flapjacks a little sweet boost with some honey. Try to use the best quality honey you can. To make these healthy flapjacks vegan, swap the honey for maple syrup.
- Chocolate chips - Whilst these aren't essential, we love them in flapjacks. We have used dark chocolate, as it has such a strong flavour so you don't have to use as much of it.
- Vanilla - This adds a real depth of flavour to the flapjacks. Use vanilla extract, rather than essence, for a natural flavour.
- Cinnamon - This adds some warmth to the flapjacks. You could swap it for ground ginger or nutmeg if you prefer.
Healthy Flapjack Variations
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? You could also drizzle some melted chocolate on top before they go in the fridge.
- Fudge pieces
- Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or cherries are all great)
- Grated apple
- Nut butter (cashew is our favourite, but peanut and almond both taste good too)
- Seeds - Swap some of the oats for ground flax and chia seeds and a sunflower and pumpkin seed mix to make these high fiber healthy flapjacks.
- Chopped nuts - walnuts and pecans are a favorite, but pistachios add a lot of color.
- Desiccated coconut
- Cocoa powder
How to Make Healthy Flapjacks - Step by Step
Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Step 1: Place the bananas in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Mash until a smooth consistency.
- Step 3: Add the oats, chocolate chips, honey, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Step 4: Mix well until combined.
- Step 5: Line a 20x25cm (8x10 inch) baking tin and pour in the mixture. Press firmly down and into the corners.
- Step 6: Cook for 18-20 minutes.
- Step 7: Allow to cool and then cut into bars.
Storage
Store: These healthy flapjacks will keep in an air tight container in the fridge for around 4 days. After that they will start to dry out. You can warm them up in the microwave for 15 seconds if you prefer.
Freeze: 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 2 months.
Defrost: You can defrost them individually in the fridge or I put them frozen into lunch boxes and they are ready to eat by lunchtime.
Extra Tips
- Make sure to pack all the mixture of these homemade healthy flapjacks down into the pan. This will help to keep them together.
- Leave them to cool completely before cutting. This allows them to firm up and keep their shape.
- Remember, if you are serving these to children under 1, they can't have honey so you will need to use maple syrup.
- If you want a chewier flapjack, then blend some of the oats.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Healthy is such a subjective word, but we have made a few changes to make these a healthier version of more traditional flapjacks. They don't have any butter or refined sugar, and instead we have used banana and honey. The oats make these a great snack that will help you to feel fuller for longer.
If you use gluten free certified oats and make sure that there is no other cross contamination, then these flapjacks are a delicious gluten free snack.
The flapjacks will still feel soft to touch, as they will harden outside of the oven when they are cooling.
Just in case there is any confusion (depending on what part of the world you are living in), it's probably best to clear up exactly what flapjacks are. Here in the UK, a flapjack is an oat based bar. Usually rectangular and loaded with sugar, they were a popular bake when we were kids.
However, in the US, a flapjack is what we in the UK would call a pancake. If you are in the US, then this recipe is probably what you would call an oat bar, or maybe a granola bar. Hopefully that clears up any confusion, for anyone reading this from the US.
More Snack Recipes
If you’ve tried these healthy flapjacks, 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
Healthy Flapjacks
Ingredients
- 6 Banana
- 375 g (4.66 cups) Oats
- 4 tablespoon Honey
- 75 g (0.33 cups) Milk chocolate chips
- 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Place 6 Banana in a large bowl and mash until a smooth consistency.
- Add 375 g Oats, 75 g Milk chocolate chips, 4 tablespoon Honey, 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract and 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon. Mix well until combined.
- Line a 20x25cm (8x10 inch) baking tin and pour in the mixture. Press firmly down and into the corners. Cook for 18-20 minutes.
- Allow to cool and then cut into bars.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to pack all the mixture down in to the pan. This will help to keep them together.
- Leave them to cool completely before cutting. This allows them to firm up and keep their shape.
- Remember, if you are serving these to children under 1, they can't have honey so you will need to use maple syrup.
- If you want a chewier flapjack, then blend some of the oats.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
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.
Manjinder says
Can you use instant oatmeal (the one in packages) for this recipe?
Dannii Martin says
No, you can't, as it will turn to mush.
Nina says
I’d love to add flaxseeds to these - how much would you recommend so that it doesn’t alter the flavour but gets the benefits?
C says
These are amazing! I added a box of blueberries too and they came out so tasty, will definitely be making again
Dannii Martin says
The addition of blueberries sounds amazing.
Rhi says
Hey,
If I want to add seeds, dried coconut etc etc, do I need to use less oats/replace those dry ingredients with my desired additions?
TIA
Dannii Martin says
If you are adding a small handful in then it shouldn't make a difference.
H says
I'm on a diet and craving something sweet. Followed this recipe, though replaced chocolate chips with dried fruit. Absolutely phenomenal! I'm going to be making this again and again and sharing with my office colleagues, friends and family.
Stephanie says
These came out perfect! It's so funny that you mentioned the "teeth covered in sugar feeling" - I talk about that and my family doesn't get it. Glad to know I'm not the only one who experiences it!
Sarah James says
Your healthy flapjacks look delicious and what a great idea to make them fat free as well as refined sugar free. Flapjacks are one of my favourite snacks so I can't wait to try your healthy version.
T says
Where do you store these and how long do they keep, please?
Dannii Martin says
There is a whole section in the post called "storage". Has all the details there!
Megan says
Everyone loved these flapjacks. Simple and even the kids had fun making them.
Ned says
You had me with healthy, and you stole my heart with how great it tasted! Thank you for this deliciousness!
Ieva says
We make flapjacks every week to take to work as a snack, but for some reason, we always make them with dried fruit and seeds. This week we made your version, as we simply love bananas and chocolate in them! Definitely a winning recipe :)
Diane says
Hi there. How is the best way to store them
Dannii says
There is a whole section in the body of the post about storage, including freezing instructions.