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Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks

Chewy banana, coconut and chocolate flapjacks. A new take on a traditional Scottish recipe and the history of Stirling Castle with photos.

Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks


Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks



We recently had a family day out with friends to Stirling Castle.

I wanted to bake something to take with us, but it had to be something easy to nibble on as we explored the castle and the castle grounds.

I baked these chewy banana, coconut and chocolate chip flapjacks.


Gingerbread Men Cake Tin filled will squares of Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks


Scottish Flapjacks


Flapjacks seemed ideal for our day out.  They are a popular Scottish traybake made with oats.

I wanted to make them with banana, so I scoured the internet for recipes and read a few to get an idea of how much to use, then set about experimenting.

I'm happy to say the first batch came out beautifully, well at least if you ignore the fact that I poured in the liquid while it was still hot and melted my chocolate chips. Doh!

Melted chocolate or not they were a hit especially with the toddlers.

Note to self, wait until the wet ingredients have cooled before pouring into the oat mix, then add the chocolate chips last!

For more Scottish recipes have a look at my recipe index of Scottish Recipes for Vegans and Vegetarians


bunch of bananas

Bananas


Adding bananas to flapjacks help with the chewy texture and it helps sweeten them. It means you can reduce the amount of sugar, there is still some in there, but not as much as the traditional recipe.

Bananas are also full of antioxidants, fibre, potassium and vitamins B6 & C.



porridge oats

Oats


The main ingredient in Scottish flapjacks is oats.

The prefect oats for these oat bars are porridge oats, as jumbo oats are too course and don't give the same texture and oatmeal is just too fine.



tray of dessicated coconut

Coconut


I added coconut to these flapjacks for flavour. They go really well with the chocolate and banana.

For this recipe I used dessicated (dried flakes) coconut, which was easily mixed into the oats.



chocolate chips

Chocolate chips


For the chocolate in these flapjacks I added dark chocolate chips.

I advise waiting until the mixture has cooled before adding the chocolate chips. I added them while it was still hot and it ended up melted chocolate instead of chips. 

Still tastes good but doesn't look as good.


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Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks. Easy oat bars traybake, great for an energy bar when you need a snack. #flapjacks #scottishflapjacks #oatbars #coconutflapjacks #bananaflapjacks #oats

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Views of Stirling Castle in Scotland, both inside and out

Stirling Castle


Stirling Castle sits on a huge volcanic rock overlooking the River Forth at the point where the lowlands of Scotland and the Highlands of Scotland meet.

It's stood there for centuries and has been both a royal residence and a stronghold for soldiers.

Two famous battles took place in or near the castle.

The famous battle of Stirling Bridge (the first battle for Scottish Independence for Scotland in 1297 where William Wallace and his men defeated the English invaders) and the Battle of Bannockburn (where Robert the Bruce and his men took back the castle from the English monarch King Edward II in 1314.

When the Scots weren't fighting for their independence, Scottish royalty visited the castle to hunt and hold court. It was also the meeting place for the Scottish government, which now sits in Edinburgh.

Stirling Castle was also the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots and her son James the 1 and  VI,  who was the first King to rule Scotland and England. The castle later became a military castle housing the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.


Try these next

chocolate and banana flapjack cookies


If you like these flapjacks, try my chocolate and banana flapjack cookies.

flapjack, banana flapjacks, Scottish flapjacks, chocolate chip flapjacks, coconut flapjacks, oat bars
baking
Scottish
Yield: 16 flapjacks
Author:

Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks

Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks

Chewy banana, coconut and chocolate flapjacks. A new take on a traditional Scottish recipe.
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 25 Mtotal time: 35 M

ingredients:

  • ½ cup soft butter or dairy free spread
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 5 tbsp golden syrup
  • 2 cups porridge oats
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 ripe banana
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips

instructions:

How to cook Scottish Banana, Coconut & Chocolate Chip Flapjacks

  1. Heat the oven to gas mark 3/325f/160c/140c fan.
  2. Grease a tray or brownie pan.
  3. In a large bowl mix together the oats, sugar, coconut and chocolate chips.
  4. Mash a banana until it is squidgy and soft.
  5. In a small pan, melt together the butter and golden syrup and mix in the banana.
  6. Leave the melted butter mixture to cool slightly and then mix into the oats. I was too impatient and my chocolate melted. Whoops! It still tasted good, but choc chips would have been nice.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes. Take out near the end and test with your finger, it should be slightly springy if you want a chewy flapjack. Leave it in longer if you want a crisper flapjack.
  8. Cut into squares while still warm.
  9. Enjoy!

NOTES:

These are the chewy type of flapjacks. If you prefer a crisper flapjack you simply bake them for longer, but I love them just the way they are.

These will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Calories
149.33
Fat (grams)
8.90
Sat. Fat (grams)
5.67
Carbs (grams)
16.36
Fiber (grams)
1.18
Net carbs
15.18
Sugar (grams)
9.07
Protein (grams)
1.85
Sodium (milligrams)
72.55
Cholesterol (grams)
17.74
Created using The Recipes Generator

27 comments

  1. Ooh, what a gorgeous day for it you had. We were very disappointed that you were not five minutes from our house, and we weren't home that day! Some of the expressions your wee man has make him look JUST like his Dad. Funny!

    Can you shoot me the link for that one banana cake you make again? It isn't flapjacks, but this reminded me of it, and I can't remember the name of it.

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  2. Flapjacks are great energy food too when your out and about. These look and sound lush. Cooper is a real cutie, love his wolly hat :)

    Maria
    x

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  3. Looks like a stellar day all round Jacqueline!

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  4. Look at those cheeks! Such a sweetie :)

    I've never made flapjacks although they look a bit like muesli bars to me. I love the flavours of banana, coconut and chocolate.

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  5. Stirling will be on my list "to do" on my next trip to Scotland, for sure!
    And for sure... I will cook those fantastic flapjacks!

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  6. Great photos - particularly love the shot of the decorated ceiling.
    Everyone looks like they had a great time!

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  7. HI Tanita, It was just really bad timimg. Will have to try and get through again. I will have a wee look for the recipe for you.

    Thanks Maria, they did hit the spot :)

    It was a lovely day out Val, I am so glad we went. High winds nearly put us off, but it was ok when we got there, just a bit nippy.

    They are a bit like muesli bars Emma, but lovely and chewy and moist.

    The Castle is worth a trip spécialiste de l'éphémère :)

    It was a good day, with good friends CC. The ceiling is very bright, but apparently that is how it would have been originally.

    Hope you give them a go Aarthi :)

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  8. Lovely post! Looks like a fab day out and lovely flapjacks. I've been looking for a chewy flapjack recipe recently , so I will be sure to give these a go. Thanks for sharing!

    Charlotte @gofreecakes

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  9. You have the same taste in flapjacks as me Charlotte, chewy all the way :)

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  10. what a terrific day out - and that's even before you got to cracking open the tin of flapjacks!

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  11. Great looking flapjacks and a lovely day out. I haven't been to Sterling Castle for years, but remember one holiday when I was there as a teenager with my older sister. I couldnt afford the entry (well I guess I wanted to spend my money on other things), so I sat outside in the grass reading whilst my sister went inside. I know I have been back since, but I'm still not sure if I ever went in.

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  12. It was Nic, but more importantly is that baby here yet?

    Hey Sylvie, It will have changed since then, as it has had a major upgrade. Next time, go in :)

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  13. Lovely photos. I don't think I've ever actually been to Stirling Castle, I believe it is pretty fab since they did it up. Looks like you all had fun and the flapjacks look lovely.

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  14. Lovely pictures. I have actually been to Stirling Castle and the Wallace memorial too. Loved both.

    I really loved to see them working on the large tapestry in one of the workshops in the castle. If I had a bit more space I would love to do one like that!

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  15. Thanks Janice, it was a fun day and the flapjacks hit the spot :)

    It must have been great to see them working on the piece Campfire :)

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  16. Looks like a lovely day out. Your son is so cute! Love baking with bananas, not a huge fan of coconut though. I did the same thing with my choc chips last time I made choc chip flapjacks!

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  17. That is my sort of flapjack - I have done the same thing with melting chocolate but it taste excellent anyway.

    Love cooper's woollie hat - how cute is he? Long time since I went to stirling castle - last time was to see REM play and I was most displeased that the stage faced the castle so only the band got to see it!

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  18. Now I'm pondering...what would I eat in a castle?

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  19. I love that there's coconut in these flapjacks versus just chocolate and banana, yum. Looks like a really fun castle adventure. :) I dream of going to Scotland one day!

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  20. Try them without the coconut Ros, I think they would still be great.

    I think he is a wee cherub too Joan, but then I am biased :)

    That wasn't well thought out for the gig Johanna, but I bet it was still a great night.

    Have you never been in a castle TB? That is a crying shame. You must add it to your bucket list :)

    They are rather special Ashley. If you do ever come to Scotland, let me know so we can meet up :)

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  21. SO enjoyed your visit - what a beautiful castle - your little one is SO adorable. Love flapjacks and espeically ones with choc in them - YUM
    Mary x

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  22. Oh, I've always wanted to visit a castle. Such great shots and such a beautiful day. Such a handsome little guy you've got there, too ;)

    I love the look and sound of these flapjacks...though I was thrown for a loop, because to me (the American, ya know) when I hear flapjack...I think pancake! I'm off to look up alternative meanings and educate myself a little...

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  23. Stirling Castle is fab isn't it. I love how you can see all the dents and dings from the cannonballs in the castle walls still. And you had such a lovely day for your visit too. Love the sound of these flapjacks - I'll be making these at some point I am sure ;0)

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  24. Cooper is so cute! It looks like you all had a great time.

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  25. Brilliant recipe. Thanks a bunch. Btw, I would add the choc chips as a last ingredient, to minimize it melting :)

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    Replies
    1. I know Chris you are so right. I should have waited until the mixture was cool before adding them, but they still tasted yummy.

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