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Breakfast, Lunchbox, Treats & Snacks, Videos

Healthier Flapjacks

These flapjacks are the best yet. Loads of B vitamins … B for brain, B for battery, B for badass.

My nippers dig them too.

Expect these breakfast bars to last for 10 days in the fridge, ready to grab belting out the door in the morning. (Eh, they’ll also make the tail-back traffic much more interesting).

 

 

Megawatt Breakfast Bars

makes 24

140ml melted extra virgin coconut oil

80ml good quality honey (or maple syrup for vegans)

2 handfuls of regular pitted dates (100g)

1 banana, mashed

1-2 teaspoons cinnamon

Freshly grated nutmeg, a pinch

Generous pinch of sea salt flakes

Just over 2 cups (200g) regular rolled oats

Just under 1 cup (100g) of walnuts, roughly broken

1 cup (100g) ground almonds

Handful of sunflower seeds

 

 

(1) Fire up your oven to 170 Celsius. A regular 180 C oven is too hot, and will result in crumblie bars. We use a tin no bigger than a magazine page (around 8×10 is perfect).

(2) Using a saucepan, gently melt the coconut oil with your honey for 2 minutes.

(3) Chop the dates and add them to the party, followed closely with the mashed banana.

(4) Add any spices you fancy using – orange rind and cinnamon? Lemon zest and ground ginger? We’re using nutmeg and sea salt flakes today. The Boss.

(5) Once these ingredients are thoroughly socialised and gorgeously glossy, add your remaining ingredients. Mix well, and scrape into your pre-lined tin.

(6) Press down firmly with your fingers. Admire your brilliance.

(7) Bake for 30 minutes until lightly golden, but not darker in shade. Oats will turn bitter if you leave them to brown. Remove the tray from the oven. Resist cutting until they have cooled down. I like to let them firm up in the fridge for a few hours.

 

healthy breakfast idea

 

Taking the hell out of healthy.

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59 Comments

  • Reply bredamerity September 21, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Hi Susan Jane,

    super recipes.
    As a 59  year old and the only sugar free eater in my family and cohort of friends etc some times I feel out of the loop not after listening to you, a big thank you for that!.

    A sugar free diet is such an inexpensive remedy for health,, even boosting energy levels, promoting improved immune system/function etc etc……

    Just had a wonderful dish 1/2 melon boiled with a handful of carrigeen moss and pureed what a lovely sweet treat.

    Lots more sweet treats that i will share later.

    Cheers
    Breda              

    • Reply Susan Jane September 22, 2015 at 9:28 am

      Wow fabulous! Very articulate “a sugar free diet is an inexpensive remedy for health”. I love it!

  • Reply cathy kavanagh September 29, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Hi my Daughter has decided we’re going vegetarian so I’m replacing all my cook books and will pick yours up at the weekend. In the meantime what’s a good substitute for walnuts in the breakfast bars as I’ve a nut allergy. Thanks

    • Reply Susan Jane September 30, 2015 at 5:09 pm

      Wow! Well done! That’s an exciting pilgrimage, one which will only see positive results. I’m afraid there are also almonds in these breakfast bars, so I wouldn’t bother with this recipe at all. With energy balls though, you can always replace ground almonds with hemp powder (milled hemp). Hope this helps! Best of luck!

  • Reply Dorothy Irwin September 30, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    nice recipes.

  • Reply Gloria Beste October 1, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Can you tell me the calorie count on you\’re Healthy Breakfast Bars

    • Reply Susan Jane October 1, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Gloria, sorry I can’t! I don’t count calories, we count nutrients here 😉

  • Reply Loraine October 3, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    Hi Susan, I would really love to try this recipe, however, when I convert the metrics to US, I get uneven measurements. My amounts, once converted, don\’t look like the same amounts you are using in the video. Is this a double recipe? Do you mind converting the measurements to US cups please?
    Thank you!

    • Reply Susan Jane October 3, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Hi there! US cups are slightly less (only slightly) so it will turn out beautifully! UK cups = 250ml xx

  • Reply john October 4, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Hi Susan 
    I have high cholesterol even though I am on tablets for it. Is there a good substitute I couldnuse for the coconut oil?

    Thanks
    John

    • Reply Susan Jane October 5, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Hi JOhn. You could certainly try more banana. Swap it out directly for half the oil or butter? Hope this helps!

  • Reply john October 8, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    Thanks Susan – I’ll give that a try this weekend and let you know how I get on!

  • Reply Lizzy October 26, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    Best part about making these is the lovely smells in the kitchen in a Sunday evening! I used a mix of dates and figs(tesco) and left out the cinnamon.

    • Reply Susan Jane October 27, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      Figs?! Gorgeous idea, and a good stash of calcium too 😉

  • Reply Jennie McGrath November 3, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Hey!! Cannot wait to bake these bad boys – can you freeze them?
    Thanks!! 🙂

    • Reply Susan Jane November 3, 2015 at 10:57 am

      Good question – shame I don’t have the answer!! You’ll love them. If they don’t freeze well, you could always use the defrosted unsuccessful ones as exotic granola??!!

  • Reply bredamerity November 3, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Hi Susan and folks,

    Have for many years used figs (I-2) with a cup of coffee its better to me than the brand variety the taste of figs is delicious.
    On occasions for a real sweet treat try avocado (half) with 1-2 fresh figs puréed, it will give your palate a real sweet surprise.

    Cheers,

    Breda

  • Reply Roz January 16, 2016 at 9:59 pm

    Tried these breakfast bars today and they are gorgeous!! Great for me and the kids. Love that they are so easy to make and usually have all the ingredients in the cupboard. Will definitely make them again. Thanks. 

    • Reply Susan Jane January 17, 2016 at 5:24 pm

      Nice one! Thrilled to hear that thanks

  • Reply Carolyn January 31, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    Hi Susan, I have bought your fab book and loving the recipes sofar. Is there anything I could substitute for the banana in this recipe please? My husband loves flapjacks and is always eating the unhealthy kind, he can’t abide banana (unfortunately). Thanks

    • Reply Susan Jane February 1, 2016 at 10:49 am

      Hi! You could definitely use 1/4 cup more EVCO and a few more gooey dates to help it stick together. I imagine this would work nicely ;( Let me know!

  • Reply Eilis Cohalan Hodnett February 6, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    Hi Susan, I made your breakfast bars today and they turned out perfect! I added some goji berries, chia seeds and milled linseed just to add more life. I was afraid that the coconut oil would dominate the flavour but it didn\’t.

    Do you have a good recipe for gluten free/dairy free pancakes, I made some this morning using a mix of buckwheat and coconut flour but they didn\’t taste great!! Many thanks Eilis

    • Reply Susan Jane February 7, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      Great! Delighted they found your kitchen! Re pancakes, we love buckwheat and water / plant milk. The trick is to season really well (Herbamare is the best I reckon). You could also try chickpea flour with buckwheat, but they crack a little where the 100% buckwheat ones won’t. I have a recipe online with The Independent I think – it’s the one we use every Saturday at home 😉 Add an egg if your pan is sticky. Good luck!

  • Reply Josephine February 12, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Hi Susan, 
    I really want to try those healthy breakfast bars, but I am allergic to nuts. Is there any chance that the nuts can be replaced for something else? 🙂

    If it could, fantastic! 
    And well, if not, I have to try other recipes. 

    • Reply Susan Jane February 12, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      Hi -and yes! You could use quinoa flour in place of ground almonds. Actually, you can use light spelt too (not wholemeal) or brown rice flour. They will taste entirely different obviously, but it’s worth experimenting 😉 Good luck!

      • Reply Josephine February 13, 2016 at 4:19 pm

        Thank you!! I will try those things!! 

  • Reply Sorcha February 28, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Hi, we love these bars and we\’ve made them the last 2 Sundays. One question though: My coconut oil is always solid so do you know what 140mls is by weight? Thanks

    • Reply Susan Jane February 28, 2016 at 9:26 pm

      Hi Sorcha. No problem. Just melt it, and use a measuring jug or measuring cup (it’s just over half a cup). Hope this helps! Glad they’ve found your kitchen!

  • Reply Lise May 10, 2016 at 1:31 am

    Fantastic bars!  I’ve made them twice, once with raisins and then dates.  The kids preferred the date version (sweeter).  I have to leave out the walnuts due to an allergy 🙁 however we are fine with almonds.  I also added shredded coconut……yummy.

    • Reply Susan Jane May 18, 2016 at 11:48 am

      Good work! Great alchemy!

  • Reply Aure June 13, 2016 at 11:05 am

    Love those bars! Best I’ve found so far, and super healthy too! Thank you so much for posting! Just wondering about the quatity though – I’ve cut the slab in 15 bars, as they looked like what would satisfy me for breakfast, but the recipes makes 24? Just wondering in case I’m eating too much?………………………..
    Thanks for your wonderful recipes!!

    • Reply Susan Jane June 30, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      Yes – keep rocking! I have 2 little boys, so my measurements are somewhat skewed 😉 I eat up to 5 in one day if I feel like it.

  • Reply Hilly July 4, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    THANK YOU Susan for this and other recipes! We’re in our mid fifties (and just about coming to terms with it, how CAN we be grown ups?!) Anyroad, we’ve been veggies since our twenties and we now seem to be on another journey down to even better Nutrition Lane. Your stuff has REALLY been a bonus and educational. I’m veganish now and was wondering what you’d use in your cakey recipes instead of the chucky eggs?

    Love your stuff mate, love it. These bars are in continuous supply in our house now.
    Cheers!

    • Reply Susan Jane July 8, 2016 at 10:52 pm

      Excellent! I’ve been using psyllium husk in place of eggs loads now, and I love it. Milf muffins are an example. And the vegan banana bread (both on my website). I’ve got to upload more, as they taste so much better than egg-recipes. Shine on! Thanks for taking the time to say hi xx

  • Reply Paul September 30, 2016 at 11:49 pm

    Hi Sarah ! im a Cork lad studying nutrition ,Came across you and this breakfast recipe the other day…Because of your enthusiasm ,Decided to give it a go ..Boom! Turned out fantastic, even the mother was amazed 🙂 where would i find the nutritional contents? as i want to use them as an example for an assignment on the contents of protein bars (Yours is the homemade choice)Great personality for t.v. Hope to see a lot more of you.Regards Paul

    • Reply Susan Jane October 1, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks Paul. No nutritional breakdown – I’ll leave that to you! Sounds like a very cool project! Have fun, and best of luck

  • Reply Nic December 4, 2016 at 1:42 am

    Hi SusanJane, just wondering why you advise against using jumbo oats? Hope to make these delicious devils tomorrow but a stash of organic jumbo oats  are what I have in my larder. Thanks in advance!
    Nic 

    • Reply Susan Jane December 4, 2016 at 10:54 am

      You can still use them don’t worry! If you had a choice, regualr oats set better. But You could also blitz the oats in a food processor for 2 seconds maximum, to break them down a bit. Not necessary – they’ll still work. But it will be improved. Hope this helps! Go rock those bars!

  • Reply janine murray April 21, 2017 at 12:06 am

    Hi! The quantities of coconut oil and honey are different in the video from the recipe above. Could you please post the correct quantities? Thanks!

    • Reply Susan Jane April 21, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      Hi there. These are the correct quantities. Jamie’s videographer uploaded a mistake unfortunately, but it was rectified in its publication (just not on the video which can’t be touched once it’s live). You’re the only one who noticed, out of half a million readers! You must have an editor’s eye! 😉

      • Reply janine murray May 1, 2017 at 1:35 pm

        Got it! Thank you!

  • Reply Ciara Heffernan August 17, 2017 at 8:20 am

    Hi Susan,

    Love all your recipes. Is there anything you would recommend using to substitute dates in this recipe?

    Cheers,
    Ciara

    • Reply Susan Jane August 27, 2017 at 7:58 pm

      Hi there! You could try subbing with a small mashed banana, which would make them softer rather than crispy (certainly not any less delicious!). By all means try leaving them out as the recipe should still work. Rock that recipe! SJW

  • Reply Alison June 29, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    I’d really like to make a batch of these for festival breakfasts however no refrigeration… Do you think they would keep ok out of the fridge? I don’t usually refrigerate flapjacks, but they’re not usually like these ones, so not sure how they’ll cope. Thanks.

    • Reply Susan Jane July 15, 2018 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Alison!

      I think they taste amazing from the fridge, but they survive outside too. The flavour is smoother from the fridge but it doesn’t mean you necessarily require one 😉 Hope this helps?! SJ

  • Reply Suzie November 4, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I Love these bars and they always go down a storm when I make them.

    I was wondering can you freeze them? I want to make a batch and have them handy for when I go in to Labour, think they will make a good hospital snack….. but not sure I’ll have the time to make them closer to my due date!

    • Reply Susan Jane March 14, 2019 at 11:53 am

      Oh my word – it’s been a while since I’ve tended to my site. Congratulations on your baba! I hope everything ran beautifully for you, and you are feeling well nourished and supported during the tricky first months. These flapjacks should most definitely help! Love SJ

  • Reply Angie November 24, 2018 at 1:17 pm

    Hi Susan,

    Great recipe I loooove it! My father just called these bar “addictive” 😉 could you give the measurements in grams for the coconut oil and the honey?

    Cheers,
    Angie

    • Reply Susan Jane March 14, 2019 at 11:55 am

      Brillo! That’s a great result! While I don’t have the gram measurements for these (cups is so much swifter in my kitchen), you could always Google Jamie Oliver’s FoodTube channel where I make them for him. His team wrote the recipe in grams. Hope this helps! Enjoy your kitchen adventures! SJ

  • Reply Rita January 28, 2019 at 12:08 pm

    Hi Susan Jane,
    Lots of people asking about alternatives to nuts. My niece has a severe life threatening tree nut allergy. I substitute pumpkin seeds instead of nuts.

    • Reply Susan Jane March 14, 2019 at 11:58 am

      Brilliant, thank you. I’ve been using sunflower seed butter for lunchbox Bliss Balls at my boy’s school. Not as nice as I expected, so I’m going to try pumpkin seed butter ! X SJ

  • Reply Margaret ODonovan January 30, 2019 at 2:34 pm

    Hi ,

    I love to make these bars today as am stuck at home due to the snow, and as I have no coconut oil, is there any substitute for it

    Mags

    • Reply Susan Jane March 14, 2019 at 11:59 am

      I reckon butter or ghee should be grand. Especially butter (ghee is very solid). A good quality vegan marg should also work. I expect my message is a little late getting to you however. Hope they worked out? SJ

  • Reply Anna May 1, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    I’ve made these now learning I need to be off sugar and refined wheat for type 2 diabetes. I felt the coconut oil was too much so I dabbed a paper towel and then baked them. So far so good. Now to taste them! Thanks susan

    • Reply Susan Jane May 9, 2020 at 7:30 pm

      Hope they taste great! You might prefer to leave out the dates, and like to consider using a more diabetic-friendly sweetener. Pomegranate halva using agave seems to be popular among diabetic readers. Enjoy your kitchen adventures! Hope you find something that works for you!

  • Reply Lena May 21, 2020 at 2:02 pm

    can you use the recipe/ingredients for granola instead? made these flapjacks and my daughter and husband loved them (me too!) but the husband requested to have the same ingredients in granola form. maybe use jumbo oats and reduce the liquid ingredients slightly?

    • Reply Susan Jane June 13, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Yes I reckon so! Reduce liquid by nearly half I’d say? And add the dried dates in afterwards? There’s a lovely buckwheat granola on my site if you search under breakfasts (or use Google to get you there). It might save you experimenting with ratios for this one 😉

  • Reply Patricia January 6, 2022 at 1:46 am

    Can confirm, I have once accidentally created granola using this recipe. It happened because I added too many cups of oats – roughly 1.5-2 times the recommend amount.
    It was absolutely delicious!! 😉 Well worth experimenting with!

    • Reply Susan Jane January 9, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      Oh dear! Sounds like a delicious granola so! It’s hard to beat a good buckwheat granola though too. Happy 2022!

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