Banana Flapjacks or Oatmeal Bars are another great way to use up bananas that are past their best and avoid food waste. Quick and easy, with just 4 ingredients, they are perfect for lunchboxes, snacks, pre or post-workout or breakfast. The ripe bananas provide a natural sweetness which means these flapjacks have a lot less added sugar.
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Flapjack bars in the UK are made with oats. You might also know them as oatmeal bars, oar bars, granola bars, or cereal bars. These banana flapjacks or oatmeal bars have a lovely soft texture but don't fall apart.
You'll also love my Chewy Fruit Flapjack bars with dried fruit or try my Apple and Maple Syrup Flapjacks for a healthier vegan version. For flapjacks with a little crunch, try my Granola Oatbars. For another way to use up overripe bananas, check our my Banana Muffins or this collection of The Best Overripe Banana Recipes
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Ingredients
- Oats - fine rolled porridge oats rather than jumbo oats will hold together better.
- Butter - use an unsalted butter
- Bananas - bananas with darker marks on their skins are sweeter and softer and work best in this flapjack recipe.
- Golden Syrup - a thick syrup which holds the flapjacks together well.
- Vanilla Essence - you can leave this out if you wish but the flavour goes well with bananas.
You can also add in some other ingredients, see the list of variations below.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This recipe is super easy with just 4 basic ingredients.
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Mash the bananas with a fork.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a low heat and stir in the syrup.
Turn off the heat and stir in the mashed bananas, the porridge oats, and the vanilla essence.
Line a baking tray with baking paper or a greaseproof liner (not foil) and press the mixture firmly into the tray. Use the back of a spoon to level it out and press firmly into the corners. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Top Tip
Using greaseproof or baking paper will help you easily lift your flapjacks out of the baking tray. Foil conducts heat so can burn the bottom of your flapjacks.
Vegan Banana Flapjacks
If you want to make these Banana Flapjacks vegan, just substitute the butter for an unsalted dairy-free or vegan spread.
Gluten Free
If you want to make these banana flapjacks gluten-free, you should use oats that are specifically labeled 'Gluten Free'. Although oats themselves do not contain gluten, many varieties of oats are contaminated with gluten from wheat, rye, or barley during processing.
Variations
You can easily add some other flavours to your banana oatmeal bars such as :-
- Chocolate Chips
- Chopped Hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans
- Chopped unsalted peanuts
- Seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds
- Almond flakes
- Glace cherries
- Dried fruit
- Dried dates
- Dried cranberries
I recommend only using around 50g or 2oz in total of any additional ingredients. Using too much will mean your flapjacks don't hold together well enough as it will alter the wet-to-dry ingredient ratio.
Serving Suggestion
These Banana Oat bars make an easy snack on the go. They are also great for breakfast, served with fresh fruit and yoghurt.
Sustainability
Bananas are one of the most well-known Fairtrade products. Fairtrade bananas make a real difference in the lives of the growers, ensuring they get a decent price and decent pay for their labour. Golden syrup can also be bought as a Fairtrade item as can cinnamon powder, nuts, and chocolate. Buy products plastic free if possible as this will help minimise your waste.
Equipment
A baking tin or tray 20 x 20 cm or 8 inch x 8 inch. This will give flapjacks about 2cm or ¾ inch thick.
Baking parchment or greaseproof paper.
Storage
Banana flapjacks are best stored in the fridge so that they stay firm. You can also store them in an air-tight container in a cupboard but they may break apart more easily. They will keep for 7 days in the fridge. I find in Winter, you can store them in a cupboard, but in Summer, they need to go in the fridge.
You can freeze flapjacks for 2 -3 months. Cut them up first into squares and freeze them in a single layer. Defrost them at room temperature.
Green Tip
Overripe bananas can be frozen if you're not ready to use them. Defrost them at room temperature.
Top tip
Make sure the flapjacks are cold before slicing them. This is best done after they have been in the refridgerator.
Related
Looking for other easy snack recipes? Try these:
- Easy Fruit Flapjack Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Banana & Cinnamon Fairtrade Muffins30 Minutes
- Maple Syrup Flapjacks with Apple1 Hours 20 Minutes
- Easy Granola Flapjack Recipe1 Hours 20 Minutes
📖 Recipe
Banana Flapjacks (Oat Bars)
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Equipment
- 20x20cm /8 inch x 8 inch baking tray or similar size
- Baking paper or reusable oven liner
Ingredients
- 3 overripe bananas approx 400g / 14 oz
- 70 g unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoon golden syrup
- 250 g oats
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4. Mash the bananas with a fork.3 overripe bananas
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a low heat and stir in the syrup.70 g unsalted butter, 3 tablespoon golden syrup
- Stir in the mashed bananas, the porridge oats and the vanilla essence.3 overripe bananas, 250 g oats, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Line a baking tray with baking paper or a greasproof liner (not foil) and press the mixture firmly into the tray. Use the back of a spoon to level it out and press firmly into the corners. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until the edges are just beginning to brown.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
-
- Oats - fine rolled porridge oats rather than jumbo oats will hold together better.
-
- Butter - use an unsalted butter
-
- Bananas - bananas with darker marks on their skins are sweeter and softer and work best in this flapjack recipe.
-
- Golden Syrup - a thick syrup that holds the flapjacks together well.
-
- Vanilla Essence - you can leave this out if you wish but the flavour goes well with bananas.
Variations
You can easily add some other flavours to your banana oatmeal bars such as :--
- Chocolate Chips
-
- Chopped Hazelnuts, walnuts or pecans
-
- Chopped unsalted peanuts
-
- Seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds
-
- Almond flakes
-
- Glace cherries
-
- Dried fruit
-
- Dried dates
-
- Dried cranberries
Storage
Banana flapjacks are best stored in the fridge so that they stay firm. You can also store them in an air-tight container in a cupboard but they may break apart more easily. They will keep for 7 days in the fridge. I find in Winter, they are fine stored in a cupboard, but in Summer, they need to go in the fridge. You can freeze flapjacks for 2 -3 months. Cut them up first into squares and freeze them in a single layer. Defrost them at room temperature.Nutrition per serving
The Nutritional Values are computer generated estimates based on industry standards and are provided as a helpful guide only.
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