Emma enjoys cooking and adapting recipes to create new favourites.

Mouthwatering Energy Bites

Chewy flapjacks are a great snack at any time of the day. They contain porridge oats and are packed with long-lasting energy when you are on the go.

Making your own flapjacks can save you so much money compared to shop-bought ones. You can also adapt them so that they contain your favourite ingredients. Add dried fruit, such as raisins or apricots, or seeds and nuts of your choice. You can also make them as sweet as you wish just by controlling what goes in the recipe!

I have made so many variations in the past, but this recipe is one of my favourites. It is quick to make for a treat or lunchtime snack and is a no-bake recipe. Just chill them in the fridge to set, and they stay firm yet chewy—no more hard, overcooked flapjacks!

Get the kids involved and make these chilled flapjacks for picnics, a quick breakfast or a sweet treat.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 250 grams rolled porridge oats
• 75 grams Rice Crispies cereal
• 4 to 5 tablespoons golden syrup
• small handful pecans, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
• 75 grams light brown sugar
• small handful glacé cherries, halved

Instructions

1. Grease and line a small loaf tin with baking paper. Lightly grease over the baking paper to prevent sticking.
2. Next, put the sugar and golden syrup in a saucepan. Put on the hob and stir until it begins to simmer. Remove from the heat.
3. Add the peanut butter and stir well.
4. Mix in the rolled oats, Rice Crispies, pecans and cherries until fully combined.
5. Press the mixture into the loaf tin, ensuring the surface is even and the flapjack is compressed. Allow to cool and cut into squares.
6. Chill in the fridge for an hour or so to firm. Remove and store in an airtight container.

Photo Tutorial

Rate

Vary Your Flapjacks!

Use these top tips to make flapjacks to please all the family:

• Swap cherries for juicy raisins or chopped dried apricots.
• Try chopped walnuts, sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of pecans.
• Use unsalted butter instead of peanut butter.

They are so versatile and easy. Try different ingredients for each batch you make.

Healthy Ingredients

Oats

• Rolled oats are full of fibre which is great for digestion and keeping you regular. They are also a 'good' carbohydrate which keeps blood sugar levels stable and makes you feel full for longer.
• Eating foods with rolled oats gives an energy boost which has long-lasting effects.
• Oats also contain minerals, antioxidants and nutrients. Lignans are in the nutrients and are beneficial for a healthy heart. Plant sterols and stanols can keep cholesterol stable.

Dried Fruit

• Add dried fruit for an extra fibre boost and for vitamins and antioxidants. Cherries are a superfood and have high levels of antioxidants. They also contain folic acid and beta-carotene.
• Other dried fruit such as apricots have vitamins A and C and iron and are a good source of fibre.

Pecans

• Pecans are a good source of energy and contain essential fatty acids. These mono-unsaturated fatty acids are 'good' fats and contain antioxidants which are good for cholesterol levels and a healthy heart.
• They are rich in vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6.
• Pecans also contain minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc and iron.

© 2013 Emma Kisby

Comments

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on June 03, 2013:

Hi Om, I made another batch today for my husband - they are quite popular indeed!

Om Paramapoonya on June 03, 2013:

Sounds very delicious and pretty healthy. My kind of snack! Yum, yum, yum :)

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on June 01, 2013:

Thanks AliciaC - they are very lovely indeed!

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on May 31, 2013:

I love traditional flapjacks. The no-bake variety sounds like a wonderful version! Thank you very much for the recipe. I'm looking forward to trying it.

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on May 30, 2013:

Absolutely always exploring. These set quite quickly in the fridge too!

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on May 30, 2013:

These look really good. I like the idea of adding nuts, etc. The best part is not having the oven on when it's hot weather...Thank you for sharing..

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on May 30, 2013:

Hi Ceres Schwarz - I spent so much time eating hard crunchy flapjacks because I kept baking them in the oven. You really don't need to! These were a real hit with my husband - especially with the peanut butter in. You really must try them - they are moreish :)

Ceres Schwarz on May 30, 2013:

Wow this flapjacks recipe looks good. The images you have are all great and make the flapjacks look really delicious and tasty. Now I want to try some. This recipe seems pretty easy to make and doesn't take much time either. It's also good that you don't need to bake it.

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on May 29, 2013:

Hello My Cook Book - they are very yummy indeed. Most of the ingredients are healthy - and I cut down on the syrup sometimes when I make them. Thank you for your kind comment :)

Emma Kisby (author) from Berkshire, UK on May 29, 2013:

Hi Paul - thank you very much. They won't last long in my house!

Dil Vil from India on May 29, 2013:

I love energy bite, this looks yummy and healthy. Pics are making my mouth water. Thank you.

Paul Edmondson from Burlingame, CA on May 29, 2013:

Great photos. Looks tasty!