Flapjack (oat bar)

Lore & Background

The Oxford English Dictionary records the word 'flapjack' being used as early as the beginning of the 16th century, although at that time it seems to have been a flat tart. Shakespeare refers to 'flap-jacks' in Pericles, Prince of Tyre, but this is an anachronism and does not suggest he thought it was a Middle Eastern dish, merely a common English dessert of the time. Later, flapjack would be used to describe something similar to an apple flan, but it is not until 1935 that the word is first used to describe a food made of oats.

Reader's Guide

The flapjack, as an oat bar, holds significance as a traditional baked good in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Ireland, and Newfoundland, where it is known by that name. In other English-speaking countries, it is called a cereal bar, oat bar, or oat slice. Its history shows a shift in meaning: the word originally referred to a flat tart in the 16th century, then something like an apple flan, and only in 1935 did it come to describe an oat-based food. The flapjack is typically an alternative to a biscuit or cake, with textures ranging from soft and moist to dry and crisp. Because of high fat and calorie levels in traditional recipes, diet versions with lower fat and calorie content are available. The dish is often sold ready-packaged with extra ingredients such as chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, yoghurt, or toffee pieces. Its legacy lies in its enduring popularity as a simple, versatile baked bar that has adapted to modern dietary preferences while retaining its core identity.

Did You Know?

• The word 'flapjack' was used as early as the beginning of the 16th century, but then referred to a flat tart.
• The first use of 'flapjack' for a food made of oats was in 1935.
• In the United States and Canada, 'flapjack' is a synonym for pancake.