Easy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe (Thick & Chewy)

Easy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe (Thick & Chewy)

Today we are making an Easy, Thick and Chewy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe! These oats bars are sweet treats that go into the heart of British snacking! But what is a flapjack? In the UK, a traditional flapjack recipe isn’t the thin, pancake-like treat that you might associate with the name. Instead, it’s a wholesome, chewy, and utterly satisfying oat-based square with a buttery flavor. Think of this classic recipe as the lovechild of a granola bar and a cookie – like a creal bar – but with its unique British charm. It isn’t really something I’ve seen sold in grocery stores in the United States, and it’s definitely way underrated!

Flapjacks hold a special place in British culture and cuisine. These hearty squares have been enjoyed for generations as a versatile treat that suits any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and nutritious breakfast on the go, a pick-me-up during your afternoon tea, or a delightful after-dinner dessert, flapjacks have you covered.

Plus, they’re known for their adaptability, allowing you to customize the flavors to your liking by adding an array of simple ingredients along with the old fashioned oats like pumpkin seeds, a variety of nuts, dried fruit, or even a drizzle of chocolate – a muesli bar of sorts! They usually also don’t use white flour or any flour aside from oats, so traditionally they are gluten-free as well.

Originating from the rolling hills and cozy cottages of the United Kingdom, flapjacks are a taste of British tradition. They embody the essence of home-baking, comfort, and the simple joys of life. So let’s combine the heartiness of oats and the richness of nuts combine to create a treat that’s not just a snack but a warm hug with your afternoon cup of tea!

Why You’ll Love This Easy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe

Buttery Caramel Goodness: The mixture of butter and coconut sugar creates a buttery caramel base that binds everything together. It’s a sweet combination that’s both comforting and indulgent.

Wholesome Ingredients: With rolled oats and mixed nuts and seeds as the star ingredients, this easy flapjack recipe provides a wholesome energy boost. They’re packed with nutrients, making them a healthier snack option as compared to store-bought ones. There are no eggs or egg whites since it’s vegan, so we make the binder using a little bit of chia seeds and water!

Customizable Flavors: Feel free to get creative! You can personalize these flapjacks by adding your favorite nuts and dried fruits, such as freeze-dried berries, white chocolate chips or peanut butter on top.

Substitutions

Oats: This recipe uses rolled oats (old-fashioned oats), but you can also try quick-cooking.

Oat Flour: You can buy a bag of oat flour at the grocery store, or make your own by adding oats to a spice grinder until a powder forms. For gluten-free oats, make sure that the brand of oats is certified as gluten-free.

Chia Seeds: This recipe calls for both ground chia seeds as well as whole ones. You can substitute this with both ground flax seeds and whole flax seeds.

Vegan Butter: Melt Organics make salted vegan butter sticks that are perfect for this recipe. Make sure to use vegan butter, not a margarine-style spread. You can also try using refined coconut oil, that does not smell or taste like coconut (it should not be virgin or extra-virgin).

Xylitol: This is a more natural sweetener as opposed to white sugar. You can also use regular white sugar.

Coconut Sugar: Substitute light or dark brown sugar.

Maple Syrup: You can also use agave nectar instead of pure maple syrup. Traditional flapjacks use golden syrup, which can also be used for this recipe (it will contain refined sugars then).

Vanilla Extract: For best results, pure vanilla extract, without added artificial colors and dyes (like caramel color). You can use artificial vanilla flavor as well. However, it may come off as more bitter and not as smooth or sweet as the pure version.

Chocolate Chips: Use semisweet chocolate for this recipe, as dark chocolate will have an underlying bitter flavor that won’t work as well here. You can use vegan semisweet chocolate chips or a chopped semisweet chocolate bar. Check the ingredient label to make sure it doesn’t contain any milk products like milk fat or milk powder, so it would be vegan.

Easy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe Notes

• Make sure to allow these to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours. They firm up and become chewier, changing the texture versus straight out of the oven!

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If you make this Easy British Oat & Seed Flapjacks Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!