Squidgy coconut and date flapjacks are a delicious twist on a British tea-time treat, packed with oats and dried fruit, and flavoured with rich date syrup and a pinch of spice.
Have you ever given much thought to flapjacks? These traditional British treats, made with oats and syrup, vary from crunchy to chewy, soft and light to dense and unforgiving.
They can come plain, or studded with fruit or chocolate chips. And be left bare or adorned with a topping. So many options! It seems that flapjack perfection is pretty subjective.
Just to be clear, I’m talking about BRITISH flapjacks – a sort of delicious oaty bar as seen in the photo above – and not American flapjacks which are apparently some sort of breakfast pancake. How confusing.
Anyway….
In search of perfection
Personally, my perfect flapjacks would be not-too-dense but still slightly chewy, sweet but not tooth-achingly so, buttery but definitely not greasy. They would have succulent chunks of dried fruit and would need nothing extra by way of chocolate, icing, or other sugary decorations.
Oh, and they would probably come with a nice cup of tea.
Flapjack experimentation…
I didn’t have flapjack perfection in mind when I set out to make these coconut and date flapjacks mind you. I was simply looking for a way to use up some date syrup, and wondered if it could be used to replace golden syrup in the flapjacks recipe.
Turns out that yes, it can, and the resulting flapjack is as close to perfection as I’ve yet achieved! Squidgy inside with a slightly chewy crust, and a wonderful fruity, spicy flavour.
Date flapjacks – what a treat!
These coconut and date flapjacks take almost no time at all to make and are wonderful with a cuppa, or as an afternoon snack, or tucked into a lunchbox or picnic as a sneaky almost-healthy treat.
I say almost healthy – they’re made with oats, coconut, dried fruits and date syrup, so apart from a little sugar and fat, they’re pretty good. Everything in moderation!
They’re also so easy (and foolproof!) that you might even persuade the kids to make a batch themselves. Just make sure you get to eat one (or two) – quality control, right?
Ingredients for date flapjacks
As I mentioned, the ingredients for these yummy date flapjacks are all simple kitchen staples – or they are in my house! To whip up a tasty batch yourself, all you will need is:
- margarine or butter – depending on whether you prefer them to be dairy or parve
- light soft brown sugar – such as muscovado or similar
- date syrup – also called silan
- rolled oats – these are the chunky oats, not the smaller “quick-cook” porridge oats
- plain flour – also called all-purpose flour
- desiccated coconut
- dried fruit – I used chopped stoned dates, dried apricots and raisins but you can add any or all of these, or any fruits you like!
Let’s make a date (flapjack)!
What would your perfect flapjack taste like? Why not try these easy date flapjacks, and see if we agree?!
Want deliciously easy, family-friendly recipes like this one delivered straight to your inbox? Click here to sign up. (Of course, I’ll never pass on your email address to anyone.)
Coconut and date flapjacks
Ingredients
- 75 g margarine (or butter if you're not bothered about dairy)
- 65 g light soft brown sugar
- 2 tbsp date syrup (silan)
- 125 g rolled oats
- 25 g plain flour (4 tbsp)
- 35 g desiccated coconut
- 100 g chopped stoned dates, dried apricots, raisins, or a mixture of dried fruits, all cut into raisin-sized pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a loaf tin with baking paper.
- Put the margarine, sugar and date syrup into a saucepan and heat over the lowest flame until everything is just melted and mixed together.
- Remove from the heat, and add all the remaining ingredients to the saucepan. Mix well until everything is well amalgamated.
- Tip the mixture into the lined tin and spread evenly into the corners. Use the back of a spoon to level the surface.
- Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes until the top is just starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Remove from the tin while still warm and cut into squares. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
Nutrition
More delicious flapjack recipes
If you’d like to try some more delicious flapjacks, check out the following:
- Carrot cake flapjacks from Tin and Thyme
- Chocolate cherry flapjacks from Thinly Spread
- Chocolate drizzle flapjacks from Fab Food 4 All
- Fruit flapjack fingers from Family Friends Food
- Pineapple, banana and chocolate flapjacks from Tinned Tomatoes
- Vegan chia seed flapjacks from Planet Veggie
I’m linking this recipe up with CookBlogShare.
Raechill
These flapjacks are delicious. This is best recipe I have found using date syrup, perfect for vegans. My family absolutely loved them.
Rita Sharp
Oh good, thanks for that Helen. So glad I’ve found your fab blog, it’s really lovely 🙂
Helen
Thanks Rita ?
Rita Sharp
These look lovely and just what I’d been looking for! Would I be able to substitute organic runny honey for the date syrup Helen?
Helen
Hi Rita. I’m sure that would be fine. I’ve made flapjacks with honey before and they’re delicious! I hope you enjoy them. All the best, Helen.
Kavita Favelle
Flapjacks are definitely best homemade, I never rate ready-made ones from the shops! love the combination of flavours, I’m a huge dates fan!
Helen
Thanks Kavita. I totally agree about homemade being better – and they’re so easy to make at home too!
Sisley White
Coconut flapjacks look so good. I would love to try them. They are on the list to bake this weekend.
Helen
Thanks Sisley – they’re super easy and the coconut is really delicious.
Janice
Your description of the perfect flapjack is spot on for me too. Bookmarking this recipe to make later, thank you.
Helen
Thanks Janice! I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Veronica
I LOVE flapjacks. When I was commuting I used to buy one every morning at the station to eat on the train. I wish I’d had this recipe then, it would have saved me a fortune.
Helen
LOL! Thank Veronica. It’s never too late to start making yourself daily flapjacks, I reckon, even if you don’t eat them on the train 🙂
Jenny Walters
I am a flapjack fiend and very particular about how I like them. These sound perfect! Chewy within with a crisp outer. Huge yum! They sound super delicious with the whole date and coconut combo going on! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare
Helen
Thanks Jenny! I think there are some strong opinions around flapjacks but I really think I’ve nailed it with this recipe 😀
Cathy White
Yum, I love flapjacks and I have all these ingredients (bar the date syrup) in my cupboard. I’m on it!
Helen
Thanks Cathy! I hope you enjoy them!
Choclette
I’ve given a lot of thought to flapjacks over the years and I’ve baked more than my fair share too. These look delicious. Squidgy with coconut and date syrup sound perfect.
Helen
Thanks Choclette. I’m definitely a fan of the squidgy flapjack too 🙂
Camilla Hawkins @FabFood4All
What a great combination of flavours, there can’t be too many flapjack recipes for me:-)
Helen
Thanks Camilla! I’m totally with you – love a good flapjack, whatever the flavour!