Vegan classic chocolate flapjacks is a traditional British bake that has been a firm family favourite for many years. Its easy to see why as flapjacks are so easy and quick to prepare.
These flapjacks have just the right amount of sweetness and are soft and chewy with a crispy edge.
Classic chocolate flapjacks go so well with a nice cup of tea, coffee or glass of chilled oat milk. And are especially great for picnics, pack lunches and on-the-go snacks.
The origins of British Flapjacks
The term flapjacks has been around since at least 16th century Britain but was used to describe other desserts and not the baked syrupy oat bar that people globally have come to love.
It wasn't until 1935 that the name flapjack was used to describe the classic flapjack that is a mix of oats, sugar, syrup and butter baked in a tin/baking pan.
However across the pond in the US and Canada, a flapjack is actually a pancake. This was a new nugget of info that I wasn't aware of before. In the US a British flapjack would be known as an oat or granola bar.
If your in Australia these British flapjacks are likely known as oat slices.
Incidentally if you were looking for a fool-proof traditional vegan Scotch pancake or American-style thick pancakes, check out my easy recipe here. They are so good and use every-day ingredients.
Vegan Classic Chocolate Flapjacks Recipe Notes And FAQs
How long can I store flapjacks for?
Chocolate flapjacks will keep fresh for up to 4-5 days, if kept wrapped in kitchen paper or tinfoil, and placed in a covered container. Store in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze flapjacks?
Flapjacks cope well with being frozen, wrapped tight with freezer-proof wrap to avoid freezer-burn, for up to 3 months. Place a piece of parchment/baking paper between each slice so single flapjacks can easily be removed from the freezer. Defrost in the fridge or on the countertop
I find measuring out golden syrup a bit of a faff as it tends to stick to my measuring spoon. How can I make this step easier?
For easier measuring of the golden syrup dip your tablespoon into boiling water and then use the hot spoon to remove the syrup from the tin container. It just makes life easier as the syrup will come away from the spoon with ease.
Can I add different flavours?
Of course.
- Add a teaspoon or two of ginger powder, omit the chocolate, to create a ginger flapjack. Or keep the chocolate to make ginger-chocolate flapjacks. Simply mix the ginger through the oats.
- For vanilla flapjacks omit the chocolate and add an extra teaspoon of vanilla.
- For plain flapjacks omit the vanilla and chocolate.
- For orange flapjacks omit the vanilla and add 1 or 2 teaspoons of orange essence or extract, and perhaps some orange zest into the oat mix. The chocolate can be left or omitted. Lemon extract could also be used instead.
- For almond flapjacks add a teaspoon of almond essence and sprinkle over a small handful of flaked almonds over the flapjacks before baking. Gently press down the almond flakes into the flapjacks. This results in lovely toasted almonds.
- To prepare double chocolate flapjacks cover the top with 100 grams of melted dark chocolate and leave to set. The fridge is the best place to place the flapjacks for the chocolate to harden up.
What can I serve with flapjacks?
- A glass of chilled plant-milk.
- A nice hot cup of tea.
- A tall glass of iced tea.
- Fruit tea.
- Herbal tea.
- A steaming mug of coffee.
- A pitcher of iced coffee.
- Hot chocolate or cocoa.
- A golden turmeric latte (no coffee needed for this recipe).
- A fruit smoothie such as this tropical green breakfast smoothie.
Can I substitute the golden syrup?
For traditional British flapjacks the golden syrup adds most of the classic flavours but if preferred this can be replaced with one of the following suggestions. However the outcome of the bake may differ in texture or flavour.
- agave syrup
- maple syrup
- date syrup
- brown rice syrup
- blackstrap molasses
- homemade dandelion honey
- corn syrup
More Vegan Delicious Traditional Bakes:
Depression Era Peanut Butter Bread
Cherry, Cranberry And Chocolate No Bake Refrigerator Cake
Vegan Traditional British Chocolate Flapjacks (also known as oat bar or oat slice)
Equipment
- Baking tin roughly about 8 x 8 inch or 20cm x 20 cm in size and parchment/baking paper to line if required.
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
- 230 grams rolled porridge oats
- 2 tablespoons golden syrup or corn starch or similar
- 70 grams soft brown sugar or any light brown/golden type sugar. White sugar is fine if others are not available.
- 115 grams vegan margarine or vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence
- 100 grams dark chocolate chips Or use a block of chocolate and chop into pieces. Some supermarkets own inexpensive brands are in fact dairy-free so its worth checking the ingredients.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 160 fan/180C/ 350 F/Gas 4.
- Prepare a baking tin by lightly greasing and lining with some parchment paper.
- Add the margarine, sugar, and syrup to a saucepan and gently heat until melted. Stir frequently.Mix through the vanilla.
- Tip the rolled oats into a bowl and scrape the syrup mix into the bowl. Using a spatula helps to remove all the mix.
- Add the chocolate chips and give everything a good mix so that the chocolate begins to melt.
- Scrape into your baking dish and press down evenly and firmly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Longer baking will result in firmer flapjacks.The flapjacks will still be soft to the touch when removed from the oven. They will firm up as they cool in the baking tin.
- Using a knife score the flapjacks into pieces while still hot, but don't remove from the baking tin.Leave in the baking tin until completely cool.
Notes
- Nutritional data is for guidance only and is not a strict analysis as ingredients vary.
- Flapjacks will keep fresh for 4-5 days within a biscuit tin or an airtight food container.
- Flapjacks can also be wrapped in kitchen foil and stored in the refrigerator.
- Flapjacks can be frozen, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Defrost to room temperature before enjoying.
Sandhya
Such a delicious flapjack! My kids would love these as after school snack.
Flapjacks are the perfect after and during school snack. My son loves them 🙂
Danielle Wolter
I've never tried british flapjacks, but these sound so delicious! Can't wait to try them this weekend.
These flapjacks are perfect for the weekend. If you've never had flapjacks before your in for a yummy treat 🙂
Helen
I love flapjacks and these look great! So yummy with a cup of tea 🙂
Oh I agree! These flapjacks pair perfectly with a cup of tea 🙂
Rosemary
Delicious and tempting. Love the addition of a sweet treat with rolled oats. Not familiar with flapjacks, but certainly intrigued. Can't wait to make this recipe!!
Would love to know how you get on. Flapjacks are so delicious 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum
They look great but are actually Scottish. When people lived in crofts they would make up a huge batch of porridge over the fire in the morning then leave the rest to cool and cut it into slices.Only later was sugar or syrup added and they became more of the bar we know today. Can't beat them for an energy burst in the afternoon.
Oh I had thought flapjacks may have originated in Scotland but didn't want to presume as they popular all over Britain now. I remember reading the Scottish Broon's comic strip as a kid and maw (mother) Broon would pour their leftover porridge into a kitchen drawer to set and a day or so later cut wedges of it to eat! That always fascinated me! Thanks so much for your informative comment 🙂
Jo
Perfect vegan dessert for a sweet tooth like me! Truly satisfying, Love it!
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed. We love these chocolate flapjacks!
Allyssa
Super tasty and easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing this! Will make it again!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the flapjacks 🙂
Kristina
These were delicious! My kids really loved them.
Great! So glad to read that your kids loved them. Mine do too 🙂
Devy
My boys love flapjacks that I often try many recipes to find the good ones. And this one is among our favourites. So moist and chewy. Love it.
Thanks! So glad you are your boys enjoyed the chocolate flapjacks 🙂
Danielle
These look amazing! Definitely something I want to try for breakfast this weekend!
Brilliant! These chocolate flapjacks are great for a weekend breakfast 🙂
Julia
They look so easy to make, saving this recipe for the upcoming weekend!
Great! The weekend is the perfect time to enjoy a delicious flapjack!
Allyssa
love this vegan flapjacks! very genius! Thanks a bunch for sharing!
Your very welcome! Enjoy the flapjacks!
Danielle
These sound delicious! Can't wait to try them for the weekend!
Shinta
Gosh this sounds like a recipe my kids would absolutely love! I am definitely going to try it soon.
Great! My kids love them too!
Lubna
OMG...these look absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing. Going to try these soon.
Thanks so much! They are too delicious!