Why Homemade Flapjacks Are the Ultimate Hiking Snack (and Where the Name Comes From)
Whether you’re scaling peaks or strolling coastal paths, homemade flapjacks are a hiker’s best friend. These chewy oat bars are compact, calorie-dense, and packed with slow-release energy, thanks to their core ingredient of oats.
However, the addition of honey and syrups (like golden syrup or maple syrup) provide quick-release energy. These are simple sugars that are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, giving you an immediate energy boost. This is especially useful during a hike when you need a fast pick-me-up after exertion or to prevent fatigue. We’ve collected together 10 flapjack recipes for hikers, with different ingredients for a slight twist on the traditional hikers flapjack.
Add-ins like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit boost their nutritional profile with protein, fibre, and essential minerals, making them ideal for sustained energy on long walks. Unlike many packaged snacks, homemade flapjacks should be totally free from preservatives and can be tailored to suit dietary needs, from vegan to low-sugar.
Why are they called Flapjacks?
Flapjacks aren’t just practical, they’re steeped in British culinary history. The term “flapjack” dates back to the 1600s, originally referring to flat cakes or fruit tarts. “Flap” meant to flip or turn in a pan, and “jack” was a common term for an everyday man’s food. Over time, the name evolved, and by the 20th century, it came to describe the oat-based traybake we know today. In the UK, flapjacks are a beloved snack, often found in lunchboxes, cafés, and rucksacks, especially among walkers and climbers who swear by their energy-boosting powers. (read more about the etymology and history of Flapjacks here)
1. Traditional Plain Flapjack
🔗 BBC Good Food – Classic Flapjacks
Description: A classic British flapjack made with oats, butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar.
Why it’s great for hiking: High in carbohydrates for sustained energy, with moderate fat from butter for satiety. Dense and portable, ideal for long hikes.
2. High-Energy Flapjacks for Hikers
🔗 Mountain Trails – Rocket Fuel Flapjacks
Description: Includes oats, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and hazelnuts.
Why it’s great for hiking: Balanced macronutrients, nuts and seeds offer protein and fats, dried fruit adds quick energy. Designed for endurance.
3. Trail Mix Flapjacks
🔗 Sainsbury’s Magazine – Trail Mix Flapjacks
Description: Combines oats with stem ginger, mixed nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
Why it’s great for hiking: Rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Ginger aids digestion; nuts and seeds provide long-lasting energy.
4. Chewy Honey Flapjacks
🔗 Beside the Mountain – Chewy Honey Flapjacks
Description: Uses honey and coconut oil instead of golden syrup and butter.
Why it’s great for hiking: Honey provides natural sugars, coconut oil adds medium-chain fats for quick energy. Oats offer slow-release carbs.
5. Peanut Butter Power Flapjacks
🔗 Rock+Run – Power Flapjack Recipe
Description: Packed with peanut butter, pine nuts, and dried fruit.
Why it’s great for hiking: High in protein and healthy fats for muscle repair and satiety. Dried fruit adds sugar for quick energy, excellent for recovery and endurance.
6. Vegan Fruit & Nut Flapjacks
🔗 Domestic Gothess – Vegan Flapjacks
Description: Dairy-free recipe with dried fruit, nuts, and seeds.
Why it’s great for hiking: High in fiber and plant-based fats. Nuts and seeds provide protein, fruit adds natural sugars. Great for sustained energy and it’s vegan so great for sharing with people with unknown dietary requirements.
7. Seeded Flapjacks
🔗 The Lazy Low FODMAP – Seeded Flapjacks
Description: Loaded with walnuts, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and maple syrup.
Why it’s great for hiking: Rich in omega-3s and protein. Maple syrup adds natural sweetness. Great for heart health and long-lasting energy.
8. Healthy Flapjacks with Dates & Banana
🔗 Clean Eating with Kids – Healthy Flapjacks
Description: Naturally sweetened with banana, dates, and honey.
Why it’s great for hiking: Dates and bananas provide potassium and fiber. Honey adds quick energy. A wholesome option for gentle hikes or family outings.
9. Honey Flapjacks with Fruit & Nuts
🔗 Veggie Ideas – Honey Flapjacks
Description: Uses honey, seeds, raisins, and cranberries.
Why it’s great for hiking: Balanced mix of slow and fast-release carbs, protein, and fats. Fruit adds antioxidants. Ideal for energy boosts during long walks.
10. Carrot Cake Flapjacks
🔗 Lyle’s Golden Syrup – Carrot Cake Flapjacks
Description: Include grated carrot, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional walnuts or raisins. They’re chewy, warmly spiced, and slightly sweet, perfect for a comforting trail treat.
Why it’s great for hiking: A fun and flavourful alternative to traditional flapjacks, this carrot cake-inspired bar delivers slow-release energy from oats, natural sweetness and beta-carotene from carrots, and blood sugar-balancing spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, all packed into a nutritious, trail-ready snack.
Homemade flapjacks are the perfect fuel to keep you going. Packed with slow-release energy, healthy fats, and natural ingredients, they’re easy to carry, satisfying to eat, and tailored to your adventure.
Now all that’s left is to choose your route! Head over to OS Maps to discover walking trails near you and start planning your next outdoor escape. There are 1000’s of ready made, tried and tested routes from our trusted partners, so you only need to worry about getting the ingredients for the flapjacks.
By Hilary Pullen
Meet Hilary, Editor of Get Outside – the Ordnance Survey Blog. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales on her blog. Drop her an email hilary.pullen@os.uk if you are interested in posting an article on Get Outside.
