Flapjacks are a type of baked oat bar popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and some other English-speaking regions. They are made primarily from rolled oats, butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup, baked in a flat tin and cut into squares or rectangles. Flapjacks have a chewy texture and are often enjoyed as a sweet snack or breakfast item. They are different from pancakes, which in the U.S. and Canada are sometimes also called flapjacks but refer to a flour- based, griddle-cooked cake.
Key Characteristics of Flapjacks
- Made from oats, butter, brown sugar, and usually golden syrup
- Baked, not fried or griddled
- Cut into bars or squares
- Texture ranges from soft and chewy to slightly crisp
- Often eaten as a snack or with tea
Regional Name Differences
- In the UK, Ireland, and Newfoundland, a flapjack refers to this oat bar.
- In the U.S. and Canada, "flapjack" is another name for a pancake.
Variations
- Flapjacks can include additional ingredients like chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, and toffee pieces.
- There are lighter, diet versions with less fat and calories.
Making Flapjacks
Typical ingredients are rolled oats, butter or margarine, brown sugar, and golden syrup or maple syrup, mixed and baked in a tray, then sliced after baking. This oat-based flapjack is distinct from pancakes or hotcakes called flapjacks in North America, which are leavened batter cakes cooked on a griddle.