These apple flapjacks are a delicious, high-energy, and fruity twist on classic flapjacks. The addition of apples gives this recipe a wonderful sweetness and a delicious new texture that everyone will love.

I love a traditional flapjack as much as the next person, but it’s always fun to find some new and exciting variations on an old recipe. That’s exactly what this apple flapjack recipe does – adding an exciting new flavour and texture that kids and adults alike will love.

This is a fantastic quick and easy recipe to make ahead and serve at potlucks and parties, but can also be wrapped up in foil and taken out for a treat on days out and camping trips to give everyone a quick burst of energy!

These apple flapjacks use canned apple filling to get that perfectly chewy, soft, and sweet texture, which means you can really enjoy these all year round! However, this recipe is also fabulous for using up fresh apples in the Autumn by making your own apple sauce and grating in fresh apples, too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Versatile: These apple flapjacks are perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or an after-dinner treat.
• Easy: This recipe is simple to follow and produces delicious results every single time you make it! You can even get your kids to help.
• Adaptable: This recipe is easily adaptable to suit your dietary requirements, making it a great option for everyone.
• Delicious: Made with just a few simple ingredients, these flapjacks are packed with flavour and are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
• Quick: These flapjacks are quick to make and perfect for when you’re short on time.
• Portable: These flapjacks are easy to take with you on the go, making them a great option for busy days out or a quick burst of energy when camping.
• Perfect for sharing: These flapjacks are perfect for sharing with friends and family, or for bringing to potlucks and parties for all ages.
• Healthy: With oats and fruit as the main ingredients, these flapjacks are a healthier option for an equally delicious treat.

Equipment You’ll Need:

To make these apple flapjacks, you’ll need a saucepan, a wooden spoon, and a 7 x 7-inch baking tin lined with baking paper.

Ingredient Notes:

• Butter: Use unsalted butter for this recipe. If you want to make these flapjacks vegan-friendly, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative. I often use the Flora plant-based unsalted block.
• Golden Syrup: This sweet syrup is a key ingredient in flapjacks and helps to hold everything together. If you don’t have golden syrup, you could use honey or maple syrup instead.
• Apple Filling or Apple Sauce: Use apple filling or apple sauce in this recipe for a delicious apple flavour. Apple filling will have more apple chunks, while applesauce will have more sauce, so my personal preference is apple filling. You could also add in some grated fresh apple.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and depth of flavour to these flapjacks. You could also use muscovado sugar or demerara sugar.
• Porridge Oats: Use porridge oats instead of steel-cut oats, as they have a finer texture that is crucial to making the flapjacks stick together.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to these flapjacks. If you don’t have cinnamon, you could use mixed spice instead.
• (Optional) Raisins: I think raisins and apples pair together so perfectly, so I added a handful into the batch photographed in this post!

How To Make These Apple Flapjacks:

Step 1: Preheat your oven and prepare your baking tin

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a 7 x 7-inch baking tin with baking paper. This will ensure that the flapjacks don’t stick to the tin and are easy to remove once they’re baked.

Step 2: Melt the butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar in a saucepan

Add the butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar to a saucepan and heat on low until the butter has melted. This will create a smooth and delicious base for the flapjacks and ensure the oats all stick together.

Step 3: Mix in the apple filling, oats, and cinnamon

Add the apple filling or apple sauce, oats, and cinnamon to the saucepan with the melted butter mixture and stir to combine. Make sure all the ingredients are well mixed so that the oats are evenly coated.

Step 4: Press the mixture into the baking tin

Tip the flapjack mixture into your baking tin and press down firmly all over with a wooden spoon to compact the oats and flatten the top. This will help the flapjacks stick together and create a cohesive texture.

Step 5: Bake the flapjacks

Bake the flapjacks for 20 – 25 minutes until they are golden brown. Don’t worry if they are a little soft when you take them out of the oven, as the oats will continue to cook and firm up as they cool.

Step 6: Allow the flapjacks to cool and slice

Allow the apple flapjacks to cool for at least 30 minutes before removing them from the tin and slicing them into 9 flapjack slices. This will ensure that they hold their shape and don’t fall apart when you slice them.

Expert Tips

• Avoid cutting the apple flapjacks too soon after taking them out of the oven as they may still be crumbly when not fully cooled.
• Use porridge oats instead of steel-cut oats, as they have a finer texture that is crucial to making the flapjacks stick together.
• Press the flapjack mixture down firmly into the tin to ensure the oats all stick together.
• Use apple filling or apple sauce; apple filling will have more apple chunks, while applesauce will have more sauce.
• For vegan-friendly flapjacks, substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative.

Storage

These apple flapjacks will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the fridge for up to 6 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months – just defrost fully to room temperature before serving.

Serving Suggestions

These apple flapjacks are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream, or even some Greek yoghurt. They make a great accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee and are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Variations

• Swap out the apple filling or apple sauce for other types of fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries, or peaches.
• Add chopped nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the mixture before baking.
• Use maple syrup or honey instead of golden syrup for a different flavour.
• Mix in some dried fruit, such as raisins or cranberries, for an extra burst of flavour.
• Add some chocolate chips to the mixture for a sweet twist.
• Top the flapjacks with a drizzle of caramel sauce or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
• Use coconut oil instead of butter for a vegan-friendly option.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the mixture for a warm, cosy flavour.
• Use different types of oats, such as quick oats or steel-cut oats, for a slightly different texture.

Other Recipes You Might Like

If you’re a fan of flapjacks, you might also want to try making some of our other recipes, like these classic flapjacks or vegan-friendly biscoff flapjacks. Alternatively, you might like this classic chocolate tiffin recipe to go alongside this recipe for a potluck or party.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these flapjacks vegan?

A: Yes, you can make these flapjacks vegan by substituting the butter with a vegan butter alternative.

Q: Can I use steel-cut oats instead of porridge oats?

A: No, it’s important to use porridge oats in this recipe as they have a finer texture, which is crucial to making the flapjacks stick together.

Q: Can I use fresh apples instead of apple filling or apple sauce?

A: While you could certainly try using fresh apples, it’s best to stick to apple filling or apple sauce for this recipe. Fresh apples may not break down enough during baking, which could affect the texture of the flapjacks.

Q: Can I add nuts or other ingredients to these flapjacks?

A: Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable, so you could add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even chocolate chips to the mixture before baking.

These apple flapjacks are a simple and delicious snack that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Give them a try today and let me know what you think!