Gluten-free flapjacks with orange and dates recipe

Gluten-free flapjacks are a versatile and simple bake that the whole family can enjoy without sacrificing on flavour or texture. 

Most flapjacks are naturally gluten-free because the majority of ingredient is oats. Oats do not contain gluten but many coeliacs avoid them because they may have been processed in an environment where gluten is present, thus contaminating the oats. If you are coeliac or gluten-intolerant make sure you carefully read the food packaging to ensure it is safe for you to consume. 

Ingredients

• 250g (8oz) butter
• 250g (8oz) light soft brown sugar
• 150g (5oz) golden syrup
• 1 level tbsp ground cinnamon
• Finely zested rind of 1 orange
• 500g (1lb) rolled oats
• 250g (8oz) dates, chopped

Method

1. Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan, Gas 4). Grease a 18 x 28cm tin and line with a sheet of baking paper with a slight overhang.
2. Put the butter in a large saucepan, along with the sugar and golden syrup. Gently heat until the butter and sugar have both melted. Stir in the cinnamon and orange rind.
3. Tip the oats and chopped dates into the melted butter mixture and mix until everything is evenly coated.
4. Spoon this mixture into the prepared tin and press into an even layer.
5. Bake the flapjack in the centre of the oven for 40-50 minutes, until it’s starting to turn a darker colour around the edges.
6. Remove the tin from the oven and mark the flapjack into 15 bars. Leave to cool in the tin.
7. When cold, use the lining paper to lift the flapjack out of the tin and then cut or break along the marked lines.

Top tips for making gluten-free flapjacks

For tips on how to freeze flapjacks or properly chop dates, we’ve got some helpful tips below. We also have information on what oats you can eat if you’re gluten intolerant.

To bake these gluten-free flapjacks you’ll need a tin. If you don’t have a rectangular baking tin but would like to invest in one, consider buying this non-stick tray from Tala.

Tala Rectangular Baking Tray - View at Amazon

This non-stick tray is slightly smaller than the tray we used but this simply means your flapjacks will be a little thicker. The handles are really useful for putting in and removing from the oven and the non-stick will make it easier to lift the flapjacks out too. You can use this tray for other baking projects or even cooking savoury dishes like roasted vegetables or a sausage traybake.

Try our healthy flapjack recipe or these vegan flapjacks if you’d like some more baking inspiration. We also have gluten-free recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner so whatever the time of day, we have a recipe for you.