Flapjack Bars with Fruit & Nuts

These Flapjack Bars are easy to make and brilliant for filling lunch boxes and cake tins. I pack mine full of dried fruit and nuts but one of the best things about this recipe is that it is endlessly adaptable to the ingredients you have in your larder.

Fruity Flapjack Bars

These Flapjack Bars are ideal to add to a lunch box or take on a long walk or picnic as they are packed full of energy.  Children love the natural sweetness of the ingredients and can also help to make this easy recipe.

Flapjack Bars with Fruit and nuts with ingredients

What ingredients do I need to make Flapjack Bars?

The main ingredients in the Flapjack Bars are rolled oats, bananas, and peanut butter. You will also need dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins and nuts like pistachios, and almonds. However, you can use any dried fruit and nuts and you can also include seeds.  

Rolled oats and spoon

What kind of oatmeal do I need for flapjacks?

I use rolled oats for the Flapjack Bars. Rolled oats are suitable for making Scottish Porridge (oatmeal), and perfect for making flapjacks. They have recognisable pieces of flattened oatmeal, the very fine powdered oatmeal used for microwave porridge is not suitable for this recipe.

Oats are one of the healthiest grains. They’re naturally gluten-free, a whole grain, and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. Oats and oatmeal have many health benefits including lower blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease.

banaans

Why include bananas in flapjack bars?

Bananas add natural sweetness and moistness to these flapjacks. They are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, fibre and carbohydrate, and some vitamin C. These fruity flapjacks are also a great alternative to Banana Bread as a way to use overripe bananas.

peanut butter

What kind of Peanut Butter should I use?

I use crunchy peanut butter because I like the texture of the crunchy nuts in the butter. However, you can use smooth peanut butter its all a matter of personal taste.

What kind of dried fruit should I use?

I use dried cranberries in this recipe because I like the slight sharpness that they bring to this sweet bake. Use whatever dried fruit you have in your larder. I also make Flapjack Bars with raisins and sultanas and chopped dates.

What kind of nuts can I add to the Fruity Nutty Flapjacks?

I use pistachios and blanced almonds, chopped into small pieces. Hazelnuts would also be a good choice, use walnuts only if you and your family like the taste as not everyone does.

mixed seeds

What kind of seeds can I use in the Flapjack Bars?

Seeds are a great addition to oaty flapjacks. I like to use sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and linseeds. Seeds are great sources of fibre. They contain monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and many important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Agave syrup in glass with spoon

What can I substitute for Agave Syrup?

I use agave syrup in this recipe, however, you can sweeten the recipe with honey, maple syrup, or golden syrup. If you are interested in finding out more you can read about Agave syrup in this BBC Good Food article.

coconut oil

Can I make the Flapjack Bars dairy-free?

Yes, you can make the Flapjack Bars dairy-free by replacing the butter with coconut oil.  Like butter, coconut oil is firm at room temperature so your Flapjack Bars will hold together. Coconut Oil also gives a nice taste of coconut to the bars.

Flapjack Bars on paper

These Flapjack Bars are not a low-calorie option, but they do contain natural ingredients. If you read the ingredients on most commercial flapjacks you will be horrified to see just how processed they actually are.  At least if you make them yourself you will know exactly what you are eating.  If you are concerned about the calories, cut the bars into smaller pieces.

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Flapjack Bars with Fruit and Nuts Pin
Flapjack Bars with Fruit & Nuts on baking paper

Flapjack Bars with Fruit & Nuts

Janice Pattie
A soft and chewy bar cookie, filled with dried fruit and nuts, ideal for lunch boxes or as a tasty snack.
4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Baking
Cuisine British
Servings 10
Calories 490 kcal

Ingredients

  • 125 grams (4.5 oz) of butter or coconut butter
  • 150 grams (5 oz) dark brown muscovado sugar
  • 125 grams (4.5 oz) crunchy peanut butter
  • 2 (2) ripe bananas
  • zest of an orange
  • zest of a lemon
  • 75 grams (3 oz) Agave syrup
  • 250 grams (3 cups) rolled oats
  • 150 grams (1 cups) dried cranberries or other dried fruits
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz) pistachio nuts roughly chopped
  • 50 grams (2 oz) almonds roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 160C
  • Line a 30cm x 20cm (11″ x 7″) baking tray
  • Put butter or coconut butter, peanut butter, sugar, agave syrup and citrus fruit zests in a pan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Mash the bananas and add to the mixture.
  • Put all the dry ingredients in a large bowl, add the wet ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.
  • Press the mixture into the tin.
  • Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 9gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 153mgPotassium: 419mgFiber: 6gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 370IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2.1mg
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18 Comments

  1. Haha, snap Janice. I made peanut butter flapjacks a couple of days ago – not in my Thermocook though. I’ve never used peanut butter in flapjacks before and now I’m wondering why ever not – they are delicious. Yours look perfect.

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Recipe Rating




4.67 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)