Healthy Flapjack Recipe (2024)

This Healthy Flapjack Recipe is a tempting, satisfying and altogether healthier alternative to traditional flapjacks.

Its secret? No sugar added and no golden syrup.Instead, natural sugars from bananas and dates give this traybake its delicious sweetness.

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This recipe was originally published in 2019 but has been updated for 2021

What is a healthy flapjack recipe, anyway?

A healthy flapjack recipe?

My instant reaction was that this was going to be a tough call!

However, I quickly decided that the key is to understand what ‘healthy’ might mean.

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A flapjack, in all its traditional glory, is an energy-boosting snack with a high oat content.

Those oats give slow-release energy, meaning you are fuelled for longer.

Sounds like a positive health benefit to me!

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No added sugar

When I asked around as to what other people considered would make a healthier flapjack recipe, the overall response was a ‘no sugar added, no golden syrup’ alternative.

Given that the basic ingredients of a traditional flapjack in the UK are oats, golden syrup and melted butter, this could be tricky.

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But fear not!

After lots of mouth-watering online research and playing with some ideas (oh, that was one wonderful day of deliciousness, I can tell you!).

I found that if I replaced the syrup and refined sugar with bananas and dates, this gave me a base for a really good, healthier flapjack.

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I hope you will agree, the result is tempting, delicious and satisfying.

Just like its naughtier (although also very nice) traybake rival!

How to make a healthy flapjack recipe even healthier

Let’s talk about butter.

I’m a fan. So for this recipe, I decided not to cut out the butter completely.

Instead, I’ve gone for reduced butter content.

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In fact, it’s almost half of the amount of butter compared to my most popular Best Flapjack Recipe Ever. (This is definitely the recipe to try when you’re in need of a not so healthy treat!)

Another important step towards my healthier flapjack.

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Flapjack with bananas and dates

Why did I decide to use bananas and dates in this recipe?

Bananas and dates contain natural sugars which give this flapjack its signature sweetness.

In addition, mashing up the banana will give you the wet stickiness which will be missing due to removing the golden syrup.

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The mixture will all come together as a result.

At the same time, those little chunky, scrummy bites of dates in the flapjack lends an added chewiness.

I love this sweet, oaty, chewy, sticky combo!

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Healthy snacks for kids – and grown ups!

Flapjacks have always been a great option as healthy snacks for kids.

But this healthy flapjack recipe takes that one step further!

They are brilliant for packed lunches.

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And because they are homemade, you know exactly what’s gone into them.

As many schools have a no-nuts policy due to allergies, this nut-free recipe ticks that box too.

Let’s not give them all to the children though.

They make for a delicious healthy snack in any grown-up’s packed lunch box too! ;)

With everyone in the house loving this tasty treat, you’ll soon be ready to make your next batch.

The really great news is that if you really enjoy them, you can freeze flapjacks.

Either store them in an airtight container (they will last for a week or two) or make a big batch and freeze.

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What does a healthy flapjack recipe look like to you?

Does this work for you?

Do you like the idea of trying a healthier flapjack or will you stick to a more traditional recipe?

Have you found any other replacements for ingredients which have supercharged your flapjacks to make them healthier?

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I quite like the idea of playing with adding carrot, for example.

That could lend sweetness and reduce down the natural sugar content if it replaces some of the fruit in the recipe.

I will keep you posted on any success I have with that one!

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For now though, do let me know if you give this recipe a go.

I would love to hear from you!

You can see my video of this recipe here!

Healthy Flapjack Recipe

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Print

Healthy flapjack recipe

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

45 mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: British

Keyword: healthy flapjack recipe

Servings: 12

Calories: 169 kcal

Author: Jane Sarchet

Ingredients

  • 3 large bananas
  • 175 g dates chopped
  • 180 g oats
  • 75 g butter melted
  • 1 tsp ground mixed spice
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 180C (350F) Gas 4

  2. Mash bananas in a bowl. You can use a fork, potato masher or your hands.

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  3. Stir in all the other ingredients until well combined.

    Put the bowl aside and let stand for 15 minutes. This will allow the oats to soak up the juices from the bananas.

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  4. Meanwhile, grease an 8" square baking tray with a little butter. Alternatively you. Could line the baking tray with a piece of greaseproof paper.

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  5. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top

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  6. Take the tray out of the oven, let cool and then slice the flapjack into 12 even sized pieces.

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Nutrition Facts

Healthy flapjack recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 169 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 13mg4%

Sodium 49mg2%

Potassium 256mg7%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 13g14%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 175IU4%

Vitamin C 3mg4%

Calcium 16mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Healthy Flapjack Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can flapjack be healthy? ›

Are flapjacks healthy? It really depends on the recipe. Some flapjacks are made from highly processed oats stuck together with butter and sugar, which makes them low in fibre and high in fat and sugar.

What happens if you put too much syrup in flapjacks? ›

For me, too much golden syrup makes them hard to bite through and dunking is simply not an option with flapjacks. Golden syrup can also make flapjacks sickly sweet. Cooking times and oven temperature are important.

What can I use instead of golden syrup in flapjacks? ›

Golden syrup – This gives the lovely sticky texture. You can replace it with honey if you prefer but it can be more unpredictable as honey is a natural product where the consistency varies. The flavour can also be quite strong. Brown sugar – Soft light brown sugar gives a good flavour but caster sugar will work too.

Why do my homemade flapjacks fall apart? ›

Why do my homemade flapjacks fall apart? This can happen if you overcook or undercook your flapjacks. When you overcook a flapjack, the golden syrup dries out and it becomes crumbly. An undercooked flapjack will have a raw doughy texture that doesn't hold its shape.

Can I eat flapjacks everyday? ›

A flapjack contains about the same amount of calories as a chocolate bar, and although they may be more nutritious (because of the fibre and vitamins from oats and dried fruit), flapjacks should still be kept as an occasional treat.

Are flapjacks good for losing weight? ›

Made with high-calorie ingredients, such as sugar and butter, a flapjack can easily have as many as 500kcal per serving. If you are aiming to lose weight and you are looking for low calorie recipes, then those high-calorie recipes may not be suitable.

Why is my flapjack so hard? ›

Why do my flapjacks go hard? Flapjacks can go hard if the temperature is too high when heating the butter, sugar and syrup mixture on the hob. Instead, keep it on a low heat, stirring occasionally. During baking, rotating the tray in the oven can help them cook more evenly.

Should I cut flapjack hot or cold? ›

Using a bread knife, cut your flapjacks when warm to ensure even, easy slices. Allow to cool completely once cut and store in a biscuit tin to keep them as fresh as possible.

What is a flapjack slang? ›

US, Canadian and New Zealand another word for pancake.

What is a healthy substitute for golden syrup? ›

Agave nectar: Much thinner than golden syrup, agave nectar is a high-fructose, low-glucose liquid sweetener. It's almost twice as sweet as golden syrup, though, so use less agave than the recipe instructs. 2. Brown rice syrup: With a nutty flavor and brown color, brown rice syrup is a good substitute for golden syrup.

Is honey healthier than golden syrup? ›

Both are inverted sugars, although honey is naturally created by bees using an enzyme called invertase, while golden syrup is created by sugar processing. Honey contains antioxidants, vitamins, antimicrobials, and minerals. Golden syrup contains some micronutrients but at very low levels.

How do you know when flapjacks are done? ›

Press evenly into the baking tray and bake on a high shelf in the oven for 15 minutes. The flapjack will still feel soft. Leave to cool in the tray for 5 minutes and then lift the baking paper up and out of the tray to cool completely. Cut into bars and enjoy!

How do you firm up flapjacks? ›

After five minutes cooling, press the flapjacks with something heavy and flat (this compresses them and stops them falling apart). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. They will keep for a week to 10 days in an airtight container and freeze really well.

How long can you keep homemade flapjacks? ›

Run a knife round the edge to release the flapjack, leave for 5 minutes, then mark into bars or squares. Leave in the tin until nearly cold before cutting into pieces and removing to a wire rack. The flapjacks will keep in an airtight tin for up to 10 days.

Is flapjack healthier than cake? ›

Flapjacks and muffins (such as blueberry) sound healthier than cake, but often aren't much better. A blueberry muffin has around 400kcal, while a jam doughnut has nearer to 250kcal. A 50g piece of flapjack will contain around 250kcal – 50kcal more than a piece of Victoria sponge of the same weight.

Is flapjack good for bulking? ›

Yes, our protein flapjacks are indeed beneficial for muscle building.

Are flapjacks fatty? ›

Some flapjacks may contain maple syrup. They are usually an alternative to a biscuit or cake, and textures range from soft and moist to dry and crisp. Because of the high levels of fat and calories in traditional recipes, some "diet" versions are available with lower fat and calorie content.

References

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