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The Great British Flapjack
Sweet, Sticky and Nostalgic: Flapjacks, the British Traybake Winning Over a New Generation
Flapjacks are the perfect comforting sweet treat to pair with a hot beverage on a cold winter’s day. Rich and buttery, sticky and sweet, they’re a British classic that is just as delicious whether it’s drizzled with chocolate or studded with fruit.
Easy to make and endlessly versatile, flapjacks are ready for their comeback thanks to the huge popularity of traditional, nostalgic bakes. Find out how you can turn four simple ingredients into a bestselling bake, and more profits for your bakery business.
by Lyndsey Hall
14 November 2025
What is a Flapjack?
If you’re reading this from across the pond in the US, you’d be forgiven for thinking we’re talking about pancakes. But here in the UK, a flapjack is a chewy, sweet bar made from rolled oats, butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar.
It’s a versatile, satisfying, and delicious treat that can be customised in a range of ways. You can add in any inclusions you like, from chocolate chips and fudge pieces to blueberries and freeze dried apple. Swirl in any spread or jam, flavour with spices, and even drizzle or top with a layer of chocolate!
The History of the Humble Flapjack
Flapjacks have been around for hundreds of years. They were first mentioned in Pericles, Prince of Tyre by Shakespeare, in the early 17th century. The word is thought to be a portmanteau of two old English words:
- Flap – to toss or flip (like a pancake)
- Jack – a common name, also an object or thing
Back then, they more closely resembled the modern-day pancake: sweet, flat cakes made from oats and cooked on a ‘bakestone’ or griddle. The flapjack we know today didn’t come into being until the 1930s.
How to Make Flapjacks
There are a million flapjack recipes on the internet, but for an easy, simple and traditional flapjack, all you need to do is heat the golden syrup, sugar and butter together until the sugar is dissolved and the butter has melted, then stir in the rolled oats and bake. You can even pop them in the air fryer until they’re golden!
If you’re wanting a healthier version of a flapjack, you can swap the golden syrup for maple syrup or honey, or a mashed banana, or add in protein powder, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. You can even make this classic British treat gluten free and vegan by using gluten free oats and vegan butter!
Prefer a no bake sweet treat? Add in your choice of nut butter for flapjacks that will set perfectly in the fridge. We love peanut butter and chocolate chips, or almond butter and raisins.
Flapjack Recipe Inspiration
Try one of our favourite flapjack recipes to get you started:
Biscoff White Chocolate Flapjack
Or whip up your own scrumptious creation, using these as a base and adding in your favourite flavours. A white chocolate and Chai Spices flapjack would be the perfect winter warmer, or make lemon and blueberry flapjacks for a springtime sweet treat. Sandwich two layers with some fruit filling (Bakestable Raspberry Filling would be delicious!), top with a thick layer of soft set spread and coating (find out how to make thick, cuttable spread for topping traybakes on our blog), or dip in chocolate!
Whether you’re making fruity flapjacks, or indulgent chocolate and warming ginger flapjacks, you’ll find everything you need to add flavour, texture and value to your oaty bakes.
We love seeing what you’re creating and sharing ideas to keep the inspiration flowing! Tag us on social media @ keylink ltd with all your flapjack bakes!
Lyndsey is a marketing executive, writer and lover of books and chocolate from Sheffield.
Her favourite bake is a gooey chocolate brownie.
