This Healthy Flapjack Recipe is a tempting, satisfying and altogether healthier alternative to traditional flapjacks.
Its secret? No sugar added and no golden syrup. Instead, natural sugars from bananas and dates give this traybake its delicious sweetness.
This recipe was originally published in 2019 but has been updated for 2021
What is a healthy flapjack recipe, anyway?
A healthy flapjack recipe?
My instant reaction was that this was going to be a tough call!
However, I quickly decided that the key is to understand what ‘healthy’ might mean.
A flapjack, in all its traditional glory, is an energy-boosting snack with a high oat content.
Those oats give slow-release energy, meaning you are fuelled for longer.
Sounds like a positive health benefit to me!
No added sugar
When I asked around as to what other people considered would make a healthier flapjack recipe, the overall response was a ‘no sugar added, no golden syrup’ alternative.
Given that the basic ingredients of a traditional flapjack in the UK are oats, golden syrup and melted butter, this could be tricky.
But fear not!
After lots of mouth-watering online research and playing with some ideas (oh, that was one wonderful day of deliciousness, I can tell you!).
I found that if I replaced the syrup and refined sugar with bananas and dates, this gave me a base for a really good, healthier flapjack.
I hope you will agree, the result is tempting, delicious and satisfying.
Just like its naughtier (although also very nice) traybake rival!
How to make a healthy flapjack recipe even healthier
Let’s talk about butter.
I’m a fan. So for this recipe, I decided not to cut out the butter completely.
Instead, I’ve gone for reduced butter content.
In fact, it’s almost half of the amount of butter compared to my most popular Best Flapjack Recipe Ever. (This is definitely the recipe to try when you’re in need of a not so healthy treat!)
Another important step towards my healthier flapjack.
Flapjack with bananas and dates
Why did I decide to use bananas and dates in this recipe?
Bananas and dates contain natural sugars which give this flapjack its signature sweetness.
In addition, mashing up the banana will give you the wet stickiness which will be missing due to removing the golden syrup.
The mixture will all come together as a result.
At the same time, those little chunky, scrummy bites of dates in the flapjack lends an added chewiness.
I love this sweet, oaty, chewy, sticky combo!
Healthy snacks for kids – and grown ups!
Flapjacks have always been a great option as healthy snacks for kids.
But this healthy flapjack recipe takes that one step further!
They are brilliant for packed lunches.
And because they are homemade, you know exactly what’s gone into them.
As many schools have a no-nuts policy due to allergies, this nut-free recipe ticks that box too.
Let’s not give them all to the children though.
They make for a delicious healthy snack in any grown-up’s packed lunch box too! ;)
With everyone in the house loving this tasty treat, you’ll soon be ready to make your next batch.
The really great news is that if you really enjoy them, you can freeze flapjacks.
Either store them in an airtight container (they will last for a week or two) or make a big batch and freeze.
What does a healthy flapjack recipe look like to you?
Does this work for you?
Do you like the idea of trying a healthier flapjack or will you stick to a more traditional recipe?
Have you found any other replacements for ingredients which have supercharged your flapjacks to make them healthier?
I quite like the idea of playing with adding carrot, for example.
That could lend sweetness and reduce down the natural sugar content if it replaces some of the fruit in the recipe.
I will keep you posted on any success I have with that one!
For now though, do let me know if you give this recipe a go.
I would love to hear from you!
You can see my video of this recipe here!
Healthy Flapjack Recipe
- 3 large bananas
- 175 g dates chopped
- 180 g oats
- 75 g butter melted
- 1 tsp ground mixed spice
- 1 pinch salt
Preheat oven to 180C (350F) Gas 4
Mash bananas in a bowl. You can use a fork, potato masher or your hands.
Stir in all the other ingredients until well combined.
Put the bowl aside and let stand for 15 minutes. This will allow the oats to soak up the juices from the bananas.
Meanwhile, grease an 8" square baking tray with a little butter. Alternatively you. Could line the baking tray with a piece of greaseproof paper.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top
Take the tray out of the oven, let cool and then slice the flapjack into 12 even sized pieces.
Corinna Mazzotta says
I too am cow dairy intolerant but I was told I could eat butter. The reason is that the bit we are intolerant to is removed as it’s in the buttermilk! So proper butter is ok.
You may also find that, like me, you can tolerate buffalo milk products as the milk protein is different!
Being sugar intolerant too we’ve been making Davina’s recipe flapjacks with coconut & dates for years. Wish I could try yours but sadly with all the family apart from hubby being allergic to bananas (its the latex!) we will have to miss out. If you find another way to make it wet enough to adhere without the bananas, do let me know!
Jane Sarchet says
Oh goodness, you have a lot of restrictions to deal with Corinna!
Sorry this ones isn’t any help to you :/
Jane x
Michael Adamson says
Hi Janie, I am loving your posts. This latest flapjack has to be a dead cert but as I have to limit my sugar would this work using green bananas that have less sugar?
Thank you, Michael
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Michael, I appreciate your kind comment :)
Hmmm honestly, I don’t think they’d be too tasty if made with green bananas. Also, the ripe bananas create the ‘glue’ that holds the flapjack together so the green version might not be very flapjack-like!
That said, I would LOVE to be proved wrong, so if you do give it a go would you let me know how you get on?
Janie x
Thea Richardson says
Hi, love the recipe! To reduce the sugar could i get rid of the dates? Would it then be less fatty and sugary?
Jane Sarchet says
Hey Thea, it might affect the hold of the overall flapjack, but I would definitely recommend giving it a go!
Do let us know how it goes for you if you give it a try?
Jane x
Carol says
If I was to make them without any dates, then should I put an extra banana in or something live apple sauce which is a good butter replacement, to make sure it’s still soft.
Jane Sarchet says
I haven’t tried it Carol, but if you give it a go, do let us know how you get on!
Jane x
Annika Wester says
These are great! Have not eaten flapjacks since the 90’s so this was a perfect re-discovery. Thanks!
Jane Sarchet says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them Annika :)
Jane x
Elaine whiteley says
Could I use apricots instead texted to make flapjacks 3 times each time to sticky and fall apart so will give yours ago love the noodle camping menu s as I can only eat fish and noodle s so can’t wait to taste your sauces for them do I do a lot of fish and shell fish recipes
Jane Sarchet says
Hi Elaine, you could certainly try this recipe with apricots – would you let me know if it works if you give it a go?
Glad you love the noodle cookbook :)
Jane x
Amber says
Very yummy. Ran out of lunch box ideas. These are great.
Jane Sarchet says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed them Amber :)
Jane x
Caroline says
How long does this flapjack keep and is it better stored in the fridge?
Jane Sarchet says
Keeping it in an air tight tin at room temperature should be fine for a few days Caroline, but storing it in the fridge would be OK too – and they’ll no doubt last longer this way.
Janie x
Fareda says
Hi,
I’m going to give this recipe a try at the weekend with my girls.
I am thinking of also adding a few sultanas and pumpkin seeds to the mix will I need to add an extra banana to hold it altogether?
Thank you
Fareda.
Jane Sarchet says
I would say give it a go Fareda! There are so many variables but the worst case scenario would still leave you with some yummy granola so you’ve nothing to lose!
Jane x
Jade says
Great recipe will be trying asap for snacks to help me get through Labour. I was wondering if anyone had replaced butter for coconut oil? Thank you x
Jane Sarchet says
I haven’t tried it Jade but it’s an interesting idea. If you give it a go would you let us know how you get on?
Jane x
Shubhra says
Love these flapjacks, I’m making some for some vegan veggie friends so will be opting for coconut oil instead of butter, I hope they will still be as delicious as the buttery ones. Thanks for the wonderful recipes Janie xxx all love to you