British Flapjacks (2024)

In America, the word flapjacks might conjure images of a stack offluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. But in the UK, “flapjacks” mean something entirely different. 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 ofgranola bars.

These one-bowl, five-ingredient bars are incredibly simple to make: Melt the butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup on the stove, coat the oats with the warm mixture and a pinch of salt, and then scrape into a tray and bake. Golden syrup is a popular sweetener in Great Britain, beloved for its butterscotch-like flavor. It’s available at some American supermarkets, specialty food stores, British import shops, andonline. If you can’t get your hands on some before you want to make these bars,substitute corn syrup, maple syrup, or mild honey. For the best texture, seek out quick-cookingoats for this recipe, which are thinner thanold-fashioned rolled oats and heartier than instant oats. You can add any number of mix-ins, like chopped dried fruit or nuts, but this basic British flapjack recipe is great as is. Once the bars have baked, let them cool slightly before slicing into neat triangles.

British Flapjacks (2024)

FAQs

What do Americans call British flapjacks? ›

In other English-speaking countries, the same item is called by different names, such as cereal bar, oat bar or (in Australia and New Zealand) oat slice. In the United States and Canada, "flapjack" is a widely-known but lesser-used term for pancake.

What is a flapjack in British slang? ›

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 is the American equivalent of flapjack? ›

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 a type of in the US? ›

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'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.

Can you get flapjacks in America? ›

In North America, Flapjacks and Pancakes Mean the Same Thing

While the latter feels somehow less formal (probably because "pancake" functions more descriptively), there's nothing to really distinguish them.

What do southern people call pancakes? ›

For instance, folks from the South and Southeast call them flapjacks, while people from the West, North, and even the East tend to call them pancakes. Some states have entirely different names for pancakes altogether.

Is flapjack a UK thing? ›

Originating from the United Kingdom, Flapjacks are well known as a delicious baked bar prepared with oats, butter and sugar or syrup. The term 'flapjack' was first used in the early 1600's in England.

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's in a Dutch Bros flapjack? ›

The Flapjack Mocha gives all the “brekkie vibes” with a mix of salted caramel, white chocolate and vanilla. Also tastes delicious when made with white coffee!

What is the English of flapjack? ›

noun. a pancake or griddlecake. British.

What country calls pancakes flapjacks? ›

A Breakfast Staple

In the U.K. and Canada, a “flapjack” is an entirely different dish, akin to granola bars. So where do the terms “hotcakes” and “griddle cakes” fit in? They're both synonyms for thick pancakes — even McDonald's uses variations of both on the menu.

What are British biscuits called in America? ›

Biscuits, along with cornbread and soda bread, are known as “quick bread,” because you use baking soda instead of yeast to make them. Biscuits in the UK are what we Americans call cookies.

Where in the US are pancakes called flapjacks? ›

The nuance in naming exists depending on where you live and the method in which you prepare it. For instance, folks from the South and Southeast call them flapjacks, while people from the West, North, and even the East tend to call them pancakes. Some states have entirely different names for pancakes altogether.

What are American style biscuits called in the UK? ›

What is an American biscuit in the UK? The last piece of the puzzle, an American biscuit is a crumbly leavened quick bread similar to what we call a scone in the UK.

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