What is the difference between British flapjacks and American flapjacks?

In the US, a flapjack is a less common way of saying "pancake"; in the UK, it's a chewy, sweet granola bar .

What is a flapjack in the UK?

British flapjacks (also called cereal bars, oat bars, or oat slices) are golden oat-packed, hand-held triangles, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack . They're commonly regarded as the chewy-crunchy ancestor of granola bars.

What is the English equivalent of flapjack?

Not only are "flapjacks" their own thing in the UK, British cuisine also has a different understanding of what makes a pancake . Though they'll call it a "pancake," the British version is unleavened and closer to what we Yanks might call a crepe than the fluffy, pillowy food we tend to think of.

What is the difference between pancakes, hotcakes, and flapjacks?

While flapjacks is an informal nickname for pancakes , some people may use the terms hotcakes and griddlecakes to refer to specific types of pancakes. In the UK, the word flapjack refers to something entirely different—a baked good made from oats that resembles a granola bar.

What do British people call pancakes?

I called them, pancakes, flapjacks, and hotcakes, Depending upon my mood. I'm currently living in the UK and the only flapjacks I've seen are like granola bars. They literally call pancakes… pancakes lol.

What's the difference between a crumpet and a flapjack?

Unlike pancakes or our SA flapjacks that are cooked on both sides, when crumpets are made, they are traditionally only cooked on one side . But today more often than not, they get turned and cooked for a short time to give the other side a gentle golden colour.

Why did they stop making flapjack?

Cartoon Network's reasoning for canceling the show was because Flapjack didn't match with its new lineup of shows for a young male-targeted demographic . The inspiration from The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack was obvious within the world of cartoon animated shows for the next 10 years.

What is the American word for flapjacks?

In the United States and Canada, "flapjack" is a widely-known but lesser-used term for pancake.

What is a flapjack in English slang?

a pancake or griddlecake . British.

What do Southerners call pancakes?

In the South, pancakes are interchangeably called hotcakes, griddlecakes, and flapjacks , though British flapjacks are made with rolled oats cooked in the oven.

Why do Americans call flapjacks pancakes?

Historians say it may refer to the small size of the pancake because jack referred to something that was small . You'll hear pancakes more in the north and flapjacks in the south, but there are exceptions such as the Flapjack Shack in Traverse City, Michigan.

What is the English of flapjack?

A flapjack is a cake cooked on a grill or griddle , usually for breakfast. You can also call flapjacks "pancakes" — and when they're served with real maple syrup and berries, you can call them delicious!

What is flapjack in the Owl House?

Flapjack is a bird-shaped palisman, similar to a northern cardinal, with a scar where his left eye would be shaped like a crescent with a spike, red feathers with dark red wingtips, a dark red beak, dark brown feet, and a black face. He is shown to be able to open both eyes in "Hunting Palismen".

What's the difference between pancake mix and flapjack mix?

In the UK, flapjacks are made from sugar, butter, and oats, and they are usually served with honey. Pancakes are made from a fried batter that is usually made from eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and a dash of baking powder.

Traditional British Flapjacks (2024)

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Traditional British Flapjacks the way you know and love them! Made with oats, butter, sugar and golden syrup, these oat bars are baked until lightly browned with a deliciously deep caramelized flavor!

I grew up enjoying flapjacks in England and have sampled many a flapjack from many a bakery.Whether you’ve had them many times before or are a newcomer, get ready to fall in love with one of the UK’s most treasured and traditional baked treats!

What are Flapjacks?

While the term flapjack referred to a pancake in the United States and Canada in years gone by, it originated in the UK where it refers to a baked bar prepared from oats, butter, golden syrup and sugar that is formed into a large, flat rectangle, baked and then cut into small rectangles.

Dating back to at least the early 1600’s in England, the term “flap” refers to a flat cake while “Jack” refers to an ordinary, or common, man (like “Joe” today in the U.S.). In other words, this centuries-old pastry was of the common folk; unadorned with simple, accessible ingredients.

One of the earliest mentions of the flapjack in print appears in Shakespeare’s “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” (1607) where the fisherman says to Pericles:

“Come, thou shalt go home, and we’ll have flesh for holidays, fish for fasting-days, and moreo’er puddings and flap-jacks, and thou shalt be welcome.”

While historically a flapjack could refer to a number of simple flat cakes, it wasn’t until the early 1900’s that it’s association as a baked oat bar became cemented.

The flapjack is the ancestor of the American granola bar and in other countries is also called a cereal bar, muesli bar or simply a “slice” (e.g. Australia). Traditional flapjacks are very basic and are made with just a few simple ingredients without pomp and circ*mstance.

Below is a bakery we stopped at in the Lake District where the flapjacks were made after traditional fashion – simple and delicious.

Flapjacks can still be found in bakeries all around the England.

Alternatively, flapjacks can be made with any flavor combination your heart desires, including dried fruits, nuts, toffee pieces, and even spread with jam in the center or topped with icing or chocolate ganache. You can find bakeries throughout the UK that offer these variations.

One of the best selections I’ve seen was last year at the Royal Cornwall Show where the Devon-made Flapjackery display made my mouth water. Of course we couldn’t resist buying several varieties to enjoy while watching the air show, the parachutists, the “massed parade of hounds” (so fun!) and other demonstrations, and while admiring the finest farm animals in the south of England.

Are Flapjacks Chewy or Crunchy?

Yes :) You’ll find them both ways and it purely comes down to personal preference. The texture can be easily adjusted according to your taste: Make them thicker for a chewier consistency or make them thinner and bake them for a bit longer for a crunchier consistency. I like and make them both ways.

What Kind of Oats Do I Need?

You need quick cooking rolled oats. NOT “instant oats.” And NOT old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick cooking and instant oats are both intended to cook quickly, but instant oats are rolled thinner and cook even faster. They are similar but their cooking times vary as well as their texture. For the right texture use quick cooking rolled oats to make traditional British flapjacks.

What is Demerara Sugar?

Demerara sugar is a raw cane sugar with large, sparkling crystals and a golden brown color with a caramel-like flavor. Demerara is the traditional sugar of choice for making flapjacks both because of its flavor and because it retains some of its crunch even after it’s baked.

Is There a Substitute for Demerara Sugar?

If you can’t find demerara sugar you can substitute turbinado sugar as it also has a coarse texture and subtle caramel flavor.

What is Golden Syrup?

A kitchen staple in Great Britain for over a century, Golden Syrup (also known as light treacle) is a thick amber-colored inverted sugar syrup known for its deep caramelized, buttery flavor. Outside the UK you can find it in some well-stocked grocery stores but in many areas can only be accessed online.

While you can buy it online we highly recommend making your own. It’s vastly cheaper and is fun and super easy to make. So don’t substitute this vital ingredient! Check out our recipe for Homemade Golden Syrup!

How to Make British Flapjacks

The process is super simple:

Melt the butter, sugar, golden syrup and salt in a saucepan.
Pour the mixture over the oats.
Spread the oats onto a lined baking sheet according to desired thickness, shape into a rectangle or square, and pat it down with a spatula or similar.
Bake, let cool and then slice into rectangles or desired shape.

Thickness is a matter of personal preference. Make them thicker if you prefer them chewy, make them thinner if you prefer them crunchy. I like them both ways but lean more towards thinner/crunchier. Letting the flapjacks bake longer will also result in deeper caramelization and crunch.

Note: Flapjacks are naturally gluten-free, just be sure to use gluten-free oats.

British Flapjacks Recipe

Let’s get started!

Preheat the oven to 325 F. **For best results we recommend turning the fan off if you have that option.

In a saucepan heat the butter, sugar, salt and golden syrup until the butter is melted and the sugar is mostly but not entirely dissolved. (The demerara sugar crystals add a nice crunch to the finished flapjacks.)

Place the oats in a large mixing bowl and pour the hot sugar mixture onto the oats. Stir to thoroughly coat the oats.

Spread the oat mixture out onto a lined baking sheet.

Spread the oat mixture according to desired thickness, forming it into a rectangle or square, and pat it down with a spatula or similar, forming .Bake for 30-40 minutes or until lightly browned. The middle should be springy but not extremely soft.

For more authentic British treats be sure to try our:

Sticky Toffee Pudding
Eccles Cakes
Spotted Dick
Bara Brith
Barmbrack
Mince Pies
ScottishShortbread
Yorkshire Parkin
Victoria Sponge Cake
Crumpets
Millionaire’s Shortbread
Yorkshire Pudding
Christmas Pudding