A simple no butter flapjacks recipe that will make you fall in love with healthy eating. This is an easy alternative to shop-bought sugar-loaded snack bars, that the whole family will love!
Flapjacks are often considered as a healthy treat. But did you know that traditional recipes call for ridiculous amounts of butter and sugar?!
Even the healthier versions available to purchase from health shops and online stores can contain high levels of sugar, and often have a complicated ingredient list that's far from clean eating.
This healthy flapjack recipe without butter is super easy to make, and they store well, so they're a really great make-ahead treat to have on hand when hunger strikes!
Ingredients
These healthy banana flapjacks take less than 5 minutes to whip up and I guarantee you will have most of the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard already.
It also contains only 2 tablespoons of brown rice syrup for the entire batch and no refined sugar. You can sub this out for maple syrup or date syrup if you prefer.
- Oats. A powerhouse ingredient that’s packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Normal porridge oats are fine, but you can use jumbo oats for extra crunch. For gluten-free option use certified gluten-free oats.
- Bananas. I used very ripe bananas to make it super moist and sweet. If you don't like bananas use a full cup of apple puree instead.
- Coconut Oil. To bind it all together and to add slightly coconutty flavour. You can use any other oil, I just prefer coconut oil.
- Vanilla Extract. A necessity in all my sweet recipes.
- Brown Rice Syrup. You can use any liquid sweetener such as maple, agave or date syrup.
- Raisins. You can also mix up raisins for cranberries sweetened only with apple juice or dried apricots.
- Almonds. This flapjack will taste wonderful with any crushed nuts or seeds.
- Sea Salt. My secret addition that takes the flavor to the next level. A flaky sea salt works best.
Without butter
This is so simple. You just mix the wet ingredients together. Then mix the dry ingredients together. Combine both bowls and tip the mixture in prepared baking tin.
Pop in the oven for around 40 minutes, or until golden. Done!
Try this recipe out and experiment with your own ingredients to put your own twist on your healthier flapjacks.
Recipe
Healthy Vegan Flapjacks
Easy healthy flapjack recipe without butter for a moist and delicious snack the whole family will enjoy
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 2 very ripe bananas
- ½ cup melted coconut oil (I used Coconut Merchant coconut oil)
- 2 tablespoon rice syrup, date syrup or sweetener of your choice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup raisins
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 175°C / 350°F
- Grease a square baking pan with a bit of coconut oil and set aside.
- In a small bowl mash the bananas with melted coconut oil, rice syrup and vanilla extract.
- In a large bowl mix the oats, cinnamon, raisins and almonds.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to blend.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for around 40 minutes or until the top is lightly brown.
- Devour!
Notes
You can mix up the nuts and fruits you use in this flapjack recipe.
You can use 1 cup of apple sauce instead of bananas if you prefer
Related
How good is this easy healthy flapjack recipe without butter and sugar? I have more flapjack recipes, make sure you check out my chocolate flapjack or no bake granola bars; if you're after something different.
Make sure you pin this recipe for next time too!
How to store
- The flapjacks will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- You can store the flapjacks in the freezer for up to 3 months, just place them into a freezer-safe zip bag or storage container
- If the bars are frozen, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Let them come to room temperature prior to serving or warm them up a little in the microwave.
As always please, if you make this recipe share it with me either on my Facebook,Twitter or Instagram. I would love to see it! Hashtag #HediHearts
Much love,
Hedi
Annett
Hi Hedi, love, love, LOVE this recipe! Super easy to make and very delicious. Awesome snack, especially for my long bike rides. Gives me the energy I need to spend hours on my bike. Thanks for posting this amazing flapjack recipe.
Cheers,
Annett
Jaye B.
Yummy recipe! I used allergen friendly chocolate chips & craisins instead of the nuts and raisins. It took me a second to realize that your oven temp is celsius! I will definitely make this again. It was very easy.
Hedi Hearts
Wow your version sounds better than mine Jaye! Thank you for sharing with me. Hedi xxx
Roxana Grey
Oh.My.God!!! Heidi, they're in the oven and I'm already in love with the smell!! My first time ever making flapjacks and I have a feeling I'll 'hate' you for this as I'll be addicted!!! I'm on a constant diet/exercise regime and having one flapjack with a 0% yogurt for breakfast replaces my porridge quite nicely I thought!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you P.S. I used organic raw honey instead of rice syrup.
Hedi Hearts
Roxanne, thanks so much for this lovely comment. I think you will LOVE ME because they are amazing! Keep the good work and let me know how you getting on. PS: Brown rice syrup is the best!! xxx
Joe
Hey, great recipes thank you, what's your best alternative to the coconut oil, the wife is allergic to coconut! Thanks
Hedi Hearts
Hey Joe, thanks for lovely comment. Hmmm I would say almond oil, avocado oil, chia seeds oil, hemp seed basically any nut oil. Hope this helps Hedi xx
Just Ems
Sooooo tempted to make these over the longer weekend! They look amazing!
Loving your website for treat inspiration. Hedi you're amazing for coming up with all of these ideas and sharing them for us all to see that we can still have sweet treats and stay clean too! I will be indulging more in treats/cakes/bakery things when I reach goal (currently losing weight) as there is a high chance I'll bake something and eat it all to myself!
Thank you xx
Hedi Hearts
Thank you Ems for a lovely comment and kind words, means a lot. Best of luck with you journey lovely Hedi xxx PS: These flapjacks are simply gorgeous! xx
Just Ems
Oh Hedi... I've just made them and cut some up and currently stuffing my face with them as I type! They are GORGEOUS!! I substituted raisins for 100% St Lucia chocolate from Hotel Chocolat which I'm guessing isn't clean but I can't stand raisins!
Love love love this recipe, thank you for creating it and sharing with us xx
kim davies
Love this recipe!!! Me and my baby boy have these for breakfast! Plus trying to swap Easter eggs for this and get me back on a healthy track!! They are so more-ish !!
Hedi Hearts
Thats amazing, so happy to hear this Kim x x x
claire
Really want to make these but without banana, is there something I could use instead?
Hedi Hearts
Yes you could use apple sauce instead or even mashed up avocado would work nicely Hedi xxx
sue
hi would love to make these but am allergic to bananas, are there any alternatives I can use?
Thank you
Hedi Hearts
Hello Sue, yes you could use apple sauce instead or pureed sweet potatoes or pumpkin. Hope it helps Hedi xxxx
Toni gatrell
Hi, how many calories roughly in this snack pls x
Hedi Hearts
Sorry Toni, I wouldn't know. Hedi x x x
Geesy
Any idea of calorie value in these? Thinking of trying them struggling with sweet snacks! X
Hedi Hearts
Hello Geesy, I dont count calories, I count chemicals. These are all good ingredients, so enjoy in moderation 🙂 Hedi xxx
Karen
Hi Heidi,
Can't remember if I ever contacted you, but just an update, this is now my 6th time baking these flapjacks!
They're amazing and I save lots of money a week on 'elevenses'. Substituting the highly sugary cereal bars, they are filling and great to keep you going.
I've tried your recipe, using all the ingredients specified and also added a tbsp of almond butter to the wet ingredients, minus the cinnamon and raisins in the dry ingredients. You're right when you say the recipe is adaptable!
Amazing for children I imagine- I don't even have any, but it's so simple, it's a perfect way to get them involved in healthy choices and simple preparation of good food early on in life.
Well done and I will continue to read your great recipes.
Karen 🙂
Lucilla
hi, I made these today. What size baking tin do you make these in? I used a square tin but the recipe only fills half the tin (23cm). Thank you 🙂
Hedi Hearts
Hi Lucilla, I have a smaller one, 8 x 8 Did you make them tall? Hedi xx
Lucilla
They fit in half of my tin, (normal flapjack size) but didn't come out great. Only put them in for 20 minutes, any more and they would have burned. But they tasted dry, even though the inside looked kind of gooey still. Don't know where I went wrong, mine looked nothing like the picture. Was pretty disappointed!
Victoria
Hi Hedi, these look so good! What type of oats work best? Quick cook, thick rolled, steel cut? Looking forward to trying them out , thanks for a wholesome, healthy flapjack recipe!
Hedi Hearts
Hello Victoria, thanks so much for a lovely comment. I use traditional rolled oats, but I bet it would taste lovely with steel cut too! Let me know if you make it Hedi xxx
Lucilla
I'm going to try these in a smaller tin, and see if that works. I used normal runny honey in the last batch, do you think that would make a difference to the rice syrup? Determined to make some healthy yummy flapjacks haha! Any help or advice would be so appreciated!
Rebecca
How many calories her slice
Hedi Hearts
Sorry lovely, I dont do calories counting x x
Phoebe
Can I make this recipe without bananas?
Hedi Hearts
Hello Phoebe, you can use apple sauce instead of bananas. I usually get baby apple puree because it has nothing else added Hedi xxx
Toni
Oh my these are delish , made these last night with baby Apple puree instead of banana ans some cocoa powder . Better than the naked bars , I will save a fortune on our snacks ❤️
Hedi Hearts
Thank you Toni, glad you enjoying these and yes clean eating doesn't have to cost a lot! Hedi xx
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen
I really love your recipe. No sugar added and simple ingredients. I love honey and oats too so bookmarking this. Thank you!
Hedi Hearts
awww thank you Alida. If you do make them let me know if you loved them! Hedi xxx
Genevieve
Hello Hedi! 🙂
Greetings from Fort-Lauderdale, South Florida!
I just finished making this recipe literally 30 minutes ago... WOW! Sooo delicious!!! My mom and I ate 1/2 of the batch already! Devour indeed!!!
Will definitely double the recipe next time we make this (probably tomorrow!). Thank you so much for sharing this yummy goodness.
The only issue I had was that at first I set my oven to 175... Fahrenheit. Then it hit me (after 40 minutes when it didn't look cooked) that I should probably set my oven to the equivalent F temperature! 😀
Hedi Hearts
Hello lovely, your comment made me laugh, thank you for sharing with me! Glad you like the flapjack..you should try the simple granola bars, they are divine! Keep in touch with your baking adventures 🙂 Hedi xxx
Genevieve
I will! 🙂 I make a similar snack with dates, cashews, and coconut flakes and it is delicious! I can't wait to try your recipe! I love cranberries!
I was thinking of making a batch with dried cherries! I think that will be really good too! 🙂
Kay
Hi Hedi! I doubled your recipe and have them currently baking in a 9x13 dish (I'm feeling impatient they smell SO good!) I put them in for 40 minutes and they were still very gooey. I have them in for an additional 20 minutes, but wanted to make sure I read the oven temp currently at 175 fhehenheit. Thank you 🙂
Hedi Hearts
No lovely! It is 175 degrees not Fahrenheit ! :-))) Hedi xxx
Jay Dalton
Wonderful recipe, can't wait to try it! Just wondering that if adding raw honey then cooking it makes it no longer raw honey. I heard that heating raw honey kills off the fragile minerals in it. I only take it straight off the spoon (occasionally) as a health boost. Maybe I'm wrong?! I'll make mine with agave probably. Thanks for your great blog! X
Hedi Hearts
Raw honey is the best, full of goodness! These are baked flapjacks, so it will reduce the amount of minerals, but still better than agave nectar. Hedi xx
Nadia
They look amazing Hedi 🙂 I would never buy a ready made flapjack! I can't believe they're always labeled as 'healthy' when they're so full of fat and sugar and other additives! I love that your version is sweetened mainly with banana and raisins 🙂 they look so delicious! 😀
Hedi Hearts
Aww thank you so much Nadia, comment from a foodie like you means a lot! Hedi xxxx
Louise
Hedi
I haven't made these flapjacks yet however Im looking forward to doing them at my daughters nxt weekend with my grandson. I cycle everyday and think they'd be great for eating before I leave or while I'm cycling. Thanks for the inspiration
Alicia@Eco Friendly Homemaking
Oh this is my kind of recipe! I am so excited to try these. I think I have everything on hand except the almonds. I am going to the store tomorrow so I will pick them up and be ready to make these!!
Liz
Hi, what is a cup measurement in grand pls?
Liz
I mean grams!
Hedi Hearts
Just use your normal coffee cup Liz, I have the 250 ml one. Hedi xx
Gab
hi Hedi, if you use this recipe what is the percentage of how much: Fat, Sugar and Salt you will have. If you don't know thanks anyway
Hedi Hearts
Sorry lovely, I don't do macros. Hedi xxx
declan
If i add cocoa powder will it make it chocolatey?
Hedi Hearts
It will definitely, but don't add a lot otherwise it might lose its sweetness, Hedi xxx
Zee
Hi Hedi, i made these today with organic mulberry syrup i got in Turkey instead of rice syrup and walnuts, they are YUMMY! Thanks so much :))) Zee from London
Hedi Hearts
Wow Zee Mulberry syrup sounds amazing, I am jealous! So happy to hear you enjoyed them! Big hug, Hedi xxx
Alice
Could I freeze these? If so how long would they last after defrosting?
Hedi Hearts
Yes, you can freeze them. Once defrosted eat straight away and don't freeze again xx
Andrew
Hello is there a reason the bananas have to be very ripe?
Hedi Hearts
The reason is that they are more sweet and more sticky so will help with the flavour as well as bind it all together. Hedi xx
Tracy
Hi can you use organic agave nectar instead of raw honey and if so should I reduce the amount?
Hedi Hearts
Yes you can tracy and use the same amount. Hedi xx
Lind
Hi Hedi. Just made the flapjacks. Just wondering what baking tin did you use as the one I used was to big and they burnt on top and didn't cook through on the inside. Thanks
Hedi Hearts
Hello lovely, I used 20cm x 18cm xxx
Victoria Elford
I've just made these flapjacks and they are totally yummy! I'm going to try apple puree next time. I have shared the recipe on Facebook... Thanks Hedi x
Hedi Hearts
Awwww Victoria you have made my day lovely! thanks so much for leaving such a lovely comment xxx
Vikki
I am still making these flapjacks and using melon as an alternative to banana is my favourite!
Sobia Iqbal
Hi....I just made these but didn't find them that sweet. Are they meant to be not very sweet? The bananas had pretty much black skin (although maybe not very brown inside? Just very mushy) and I used two dessert spoons, not tablespoons, of honey (just whatever spoon came into my hand....was that mistake?). Also do you think maybe cinnamon counteracts the sweetness?
Jaqui
Hi, I just wondered if I could use carotino red palm fruit & rapseed oil in place of coconut oil? I've been looking for a healthy flapjack receipe and can't wait to try these. Also where do I buy the rice syrup I have not found it yet.
Hedi Hearts
Yes , you could. Instead of rice syrup you could use honey or maple syrup, or whatever you have x x x
Charlotte
Hi, these look delicious ! I was just wondering what size baking tin you would recommend ? Thank you!
Hedi Hearts
8 inch square one lovely x x
Charlotte
Thank you !!
Freya
Hello,
Is it possible to substitute the rice syrup for a sugar free syrup, perhaps with canderel, so that it is suitable for a diabetic ?
Thanks
Hedi Hearts
yes , you can use that instead x x
Xeni
Amazing flapjacks! Can't believe how well they came out and how yummy they are, thank you x
pippa
Wow, just discovered your wonderful recipe, these are the business, a very big thank you for sharing your culinary skills with all. xx
Emma
Well they smelt good while they were cooking, but they taste just like other healthy versions of cookies/bars I've tried.
Lacking in flavour and the texture is stodgy.
If they didn't taste exactly like the healthy cookies I made with applesauce then I'd assume I did something wrong, but I think it's just a taste I'm not cut out to enjoy. (Or any of my family as even the 2 yr old wouldn't eat it)
So my search continues on something filling but healthy to curb my nursing hunger pangs.
*what is the banana a stand in for? Butter? Oil? Was just thinking I'd try the recipe again but not make it completely clean eating but still have the benefits of the filling oats...
Hedi Hearts
No worries lovely. The banana is to help it keep it together, you could try butter instead to see if the texture is better for you x x x
Jake Iszard
Hey can’t wait to try these.
I was wondering as a lot of people had asked would dates mak a good substitute for the banana?? With natural sweetness and stickiness.
Also is peanut Butter ok to pop in and if so would you use it instead of rice syrup or just one banana and some peanut butter?.
Lastly are these freezable? If so would you recommend freezing before of after cooking?
Thank you
J
Hedi Hearts
You could use apple puree instead of banana. Instead or rice syrup try date nectar, honey, maple syrup or any other liquid sweetener. Big yes to peanut butter too. You could use it instead of banana, but the texture will be different x x
Barbara G
Hey Heidi,
Barbara from Texas here. I'm making theses now and hope they're wonderful. I was thinking that 1/2 cup seems like a lot of coconut oil. Is that really the right amount? You mention using butter instead of banana to one reader and that really had me wondering since it would be used along with the coconut oil. Thanks
Hedi Hearts
Yes lovely, its correct, makes them lovely and moist, not greasy at all x x x
Roz
Thinking about using melon as suggested earlier - will these freeze successfully with melon or will they freeze using banana
Hedi Hearts
Melon freezes well, although it might get a bit watery. Let me know how you got on!x x
Suzanne
Before I try this recipe, I wanted to see how much apple puree to use in place of the ripe bananas? I see many posts on using the puree but none that have the proper measurements. Trying these in the morning! Suzanne
Hedi Hearts
Minimum 1,5 cups Suzanne, make sure it is all well combined and a bit sticky. Hedi x x
Pongodhall
I love your flapjacks, they are my kind of cake.
I do make 'cakes' for others but rarely take more than a corner to taste.
It's these and scones for me and I think your flapjacks are just great.
Michelle
Thank-you for this recipe! I have just made it and it's delicious and good for you too! I am excited to try other recipes from your website and I am so glad I found it 🙂 xx
Hedi Hearts
Yay, this has made my day Michelle. Thank you x x x