Fruit Flapjacks – Easy Chewy Oat Bars with Dried Fruit

These easy fruit flapjacks are a chewy oat traybake made with golden syrup and dried fruit, perfect for lunchboxes, snacks and simple homemade baking.

Flapjacks are one of the easiest bakes you can make. With just a few store cupboard ingredients and a quick mix-and-bake method, you can have a batch ready in under an hour.

The dried fruit and seeds add flavour and texture, but one of the best things about flapjacks is how adaptable they are. Once you have the basic oat mixture, you can easily swap the fruit, seeds or spices depending on what you have in the cupboard.

I love a flapjack, always have. They’re sticky, chewy, super sweet and delicious. Like most sweets, I prefer a fruity version to a chocolate, but when I was a teenager, I was addicted to Hobnob Flapjacks!

I largely use the same recipe for all of my flapjacks, and these are no different. 

Why You’ll Love These Easy Fruit Flapjacks

There are plenty of reasons to love these fruity flapjacks:

• Quick and easy to make with simple store cupboard ingredients
• Soft and chewy texture thanks to golden syrup
• Great for lunchboxes and snacks
• Very adaptable – you can change the fruit or seeds
• Perfect for batch baking

Ingredients, Substitutions and Variations

These homemade fruit flapjacks use simple store cupboard ingredients to create a soft, chewy oat traybake packed with sweet dried fruit.

Porridge Oats – I usually use regular porridge oats, but jumbo oats are yummy too. If you are American, I don’t know your oats!

Mixed Seeds

Dried Apricots

Raisins

Ground Cinnamon

Butter or margarine – Unsalted butter is always best if possible. 

Soft light brown sugar

Golden syrup

These ingredients combine to create a sticky oat mixture that bakes into deliciously chewy flapjacks.

Fruit Options

This recipe uses raisins and chopped dried apricots, but flapjacks are very adaptable, and you can easily swap them for other dried fruits.

Good options include:

• Sultanas
• Mixed dried fruit
• Dried cranberries
• Glacé cherries
• Chopped dried apple
• Mixed peel
• Dried Pitted Dates

If you’re using larger dried fruits, chop them into smaller pieces so they mix evenly through the oats.

Seeds and Nuts

The mixed seeds add texture and a slight crunch, but they can easily be replaced with other ingredients such as:

• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Chopped almonds
• Chopped hazelnuts
• A mix of seeds and nuts

Spices

Cinnamon adds warmth and flavour to the flapjacks, but you could also try:

• Mixed spice
• Nutmeg
• Ground ginger

Using Frozen Fruit

Frozen berries can also work well in flapjacks.

If using frozen fruit such as raspberries or blueberries, add them straight to the mixture without defrosting them first. Defrosted fruit can release too much liquid and affect the texture

You’ll Also Need

You don’t need much equipment to make fruit flapjacks:

• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• 20cm square baking tin
• Baking paper (optional but helpful)

How to Make Easy Fruit Flapjacks

Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One – Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan-assisted) and grease or line a 20cm square baking tin.

Step Two – Mix the Dry Ingredients

Add the oats, mixed seeds, raisins, chopped apricots and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl.

Stir well so the fruit and seeds are evenly distributed through the oats.

Step Three – Melt the Butter Mixture

Add the butter, sugar and golden syrup to a small saucepan.

Heat gently over a low heat, stirring regularly until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step Four – Combine the Ingredients

Pour the melted butter mixture over the oat mixture.

Stir well until all of the oats are coated. This helps the flapjacks hold together once baked.

Step Five – Press into the Tin

Tip the mixture into the prepared baking tin.

Spread it out evenly and press it down firmly with the back of a spoon or spatula so the mixture is compact.

Step Six – Bake

Bake in the oven for around 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden.

Step Seven – Cool and Slice

Leave the flapjacks to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before removing.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into 8 bars or 16 smaller squares.

Tips for the Best Fruit Flapjacks

• Press the mixture firmly into the tin so the flapjacks hold together well.
• Stir the butter mixture regularly while melting so it doesn’t burn.
• Don’t overbake if you prefer chewy flapjacks.
• Use a larger tin if you want thinner, crispier flapjacks.

How to Store Fruit Flapjacks

Fruit flapjacks keep well, making them ideal for batch baking.

Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

They can also be frozen for up to two months. Allow them to defrost fully before serving.

FAQs

Other Flapjack Recipes You Might Like

If you like this recipe, you might also enjoy trying some delicious variations such as Bakewell flapjacks, apple flapjacks, cherry flapjacks or chocolate flapjacks. Each one offers a slightly different twist, whether you fancy something fruity, nutty or a little more indulgent.