Microwave flapjacks recipe

CLICK TO RATE
(630 ratings)

These microwave flapjacks take 20 minutes from start to finish and are easy for kids to help bake.

microwave flapjacks topped with melted chocolate and chopped nuts on a white cake stand
(Image credit: Getty)
  • healthy
Makes9–12
SkillEasy
Preparation Time10 mins
Cooking Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Cost RangeCheap
Nutrition Per PortionRDA
Calories209 Kcal10%
Sugar14.8 g16%
Fat10.8 g15%
Saturated Fat6.1 g31%
Salt0.06 gRow 4 - Cell 2
Protein2.7 g5%
Carbohydrates26.5 g10%
Salt0.06 gRow 7 - Cell 2

Microwave flapjacks can satisfy your craving to bake if you don’t have access to an oven or want a low-energy option. 

These microwave flapjacks won't have the same crunch as classic oven-baked flapjacks, but the flavours are pretty close. They take 20 minutes to prepare and cook. If you’re serving the flapjacks as a dessert, with a scoop of ice cream, there’s no need to let the mixture firm up to slice. Simply spoon the soft mixture straight from the tin into dessert bowls and top with ice cream and any other toppings such as chopped nuts and fruit or a drizzle of melted chocolate.

Ingredients

  • 100g unsalted butter, softened
  • 75g light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup
  • 200g porridge oats
  • 50g dried apricots

To decorate:

  • 100g chocolate (milk, white or dark) 
  • Sprinkles, chocolate chips or nuts (optional)

WEIGHT CONVERTER

to

Method

  1. Lightly grease a 18cm (7 in) square, microwave-safe dish with butter.
  2. Put the butter and light brown sugar in a large microwavable bowl and heat on high in 15 second intervals, stirring occasionally, until melted.
  3. Stir the golden syrup into the melted mixture until evenly combined.
  4. Add the oats to the mixture and give everything a good mix.
  5. Use kitchen scissors to cut up the dried apricots. Mix the apricots into the oat mixture then transfer everything to the prepared tin. Press the mixture firmly down into an even layer.
  6. Microwave, uncovered, on a high heat for approximately 5 minutes. From around 4 minutes onwards we recommend checking the flapjacks regularly to ensure the mixture isn’t burning. The mixture will look very soft, but it will firm up as it cools.
  7. Take the cooked flapjack from the microwave and leave to cool in the dish.
  8. Once the flapjack is cold, slice up into bars and place onto a serving plate.
  9. Melt the chocolate in a small microwaveable bowl, in 10 second intervals, stirring in between.
  10. Take a small sandwich bag or piping bag, spoon in the melted chocolate. Snip the end off of the bag to create a tiny hole and then drizzle over the flapjacks. If using sprinkles,  chocolate chips or chopped nuts, scatter over the flapjacks while the chocolate is still wet. Set in the fridge.

Top tips for making microwave flapjacks 

It’s important to use the right container when making microwave flapjacks. We have tips below on what to look for as well as how kids can help make this easy recipe.

What container can I microwave flapjacks in?

Make sure the material of the container is safe for microwaving. Glass or plastic containers will be marked as microwave safe if they are compatible. It can be dangerous to use containers that are not designed for microwaving. 

Check your dish carefully before using or consider purchasing a new one to be certain. It’s important that the dish sits comfortably on the turning plate in the microwave. If the turning plate cannot rotate, the flapjack will not cook evenly. 

How can kids make these microwave flapjacks?


Children can grease the flapjack container using their hands, a pastry brush, or even just the empty butter wrapper. They can stir in the oats in step four and if your child is old enough to use scissors then they could cut the apricots in step five. 

Once the melted chocolate is transferred into a piping bag, kids can drizzle over the flapjacks and finish with a sprinkling of colourful sprinkles or chocolate chips. 

How can I decorate flapjacks?

This recipe suggests topping the flapjacks with melted white chocolate and sprinkles. For a more professional finish, we recommend piping the chocolate on top but you can drizzle the chocolate with a spoon or fork if you prefer. 

If you don’t have piping bags, read our guide on how to make a piping bag from greaseproof or baking paper. You could also top the flapjacks with chopped nuts or freeze-dried fruit for a healthier alternative to sprinkles which still delivers a pop of colour.

For this recipe you need a microwave-safe dish. If you don’t have one or you’re not sure if your containers are suitable, invest in one of these dishes so you can bake with confidence.

Pyrex Microwave Safe Classic Square Glass Dish - View at Amazon

Pyrex Microwave Safe Classic Square Glass Dish - <a href="https://amazon.co.uk/Pyrex-Microwave-Classic-Square-Plastic/dp/B08DKJK2VX/ref=sr_1_7?crid=2ZJ3XDJ176PIQ&keywords=microwave%2Bsafe%2Bglass%2Bcontainer%2B18cm%2Bsquare&qid=1688039042&sprefix=microwave%2Bsafe%2Bglass%2Bcontainer%2B18cm%2Bsquare%2Caps%2C69&sr=8-7&th=1&tag=hawk-future-21&ascsubtag=hawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">View at Amazon

This pack of two glass containers is ideal for making our microwave flapjacks. The containers come with a lid so once the flapjacks are baked and cooled, they can be neatly and safely stored inside. The dishes can be used for your other cooking requirements too and are suitable for freezing and oven-cooking.

For a lower calorie option use our healthy flapjack recipe. Alternatively you might like our chocolate flapjacks for something more indulgent or for something classic, our golden syrup flapjacks are a delicious choice. 

Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies

With contributions from