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Toddler Flapjack Recipe

Toddler Flapjack Recipe

This toddler flapjack recipe is an easy way to make soft, chewy oat bars using everyday ingredients. Naturally sweetened with ripe banana and a little apple, these homemade flapjacks are a lovely alternative to many packaged snacks and can be adapted to suit your toddler’s tastes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 People
Course: Snack
Cuisine: British
Calories: 100
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1½ cups 135 g rolled oats
  • 1 large ripe banana mashed
  • ½ cup 120 g unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons 28 g unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • 2 tablespoons milk if needed to moisten the mixture

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Fork
  • measuring cups or a kitchen scale
  • a small baking tin approximately 20 cm square
  • baking paper
  • Spatula
  • A blunt-edged knife

Method
 

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Tin
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or 350°F. Line a small square baking tin with baking paper, leaving a little overhang so the flapjacks are easier to lift out later. Prepare your ingredients before mixing, and make sure the banana is ripe enough to mash smoothly without leaving large, firm chunks.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (1)
Step 2: Mash the Banana
  1. Place the peeled banana in a mixing bowl and mash it thoroughly with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the unsweetened applesauce and melted butter, then stir until the mixture is evenly combined. The fruit mixture should be moist and easy to stir, helping bind the oats without requiring golden syrup or added sugar.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (3)
Step 3: Add the Oats and Cinnamon
  1. Add the rolled oats and optional cinnamon to the bowl. Stir until all the oats are coated with the banana mixture. If the mixture looks unusually dry, add a little milk, one tablespoon at a time. It should be moist enough to hold together when pressed but should not be runny or swimming in liquid.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (3)
Step 4: Press Into the Baking Tin
  1. Transfer the mixture into the prepared tin and spread it evenly with a spatula. Press gently but firmly so the oats stick together and the flapjacks bake into a cohesive slab. Smooth the top without compressing the mixture excessively, as the aim is to create a soft texture rather than a dense, hard bar.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (3)
Step 5: Bake Until Set
  1. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, checking toward the end of the cooking time. The edges should be lightly golden, and the centre should look set rather than wet. Avoid baking until the flapjacks become very dark or crisp. Ovens vary, so allow a little extra time if needed to ensure the mixture is cooked through.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (3)
Step 6: Cool and Cut Into Portions
  1. Remove the tin from the oven and let the flapjacks cool completely before lifting them out. Cut into small, soft portions appropriate for your toddler’s developmental stage. Check that each piece has no hard edges or firm chunks. Serve while soft, and store the remaining portions safely for later.
    Toddler Flapjack Recipe Step (2)

Video

Notes

Variations to Try

  • Apple and cinnamon: Add a little extra unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon for a gentle apple flavour.
  • Pear flapjacks: Replace some of the applesauce with smooth, ripe pear puree.
  • Berry version: Mix in a small amount of mashed, soft-cooked berries, removing any firm pieces.
  • Dairy-free option: Use a suitable dairy-free butter alternative and an appropriate milk alternative if needed.
  • Extra banana flavour: Use two small ripe bananas and reduce the applesauce slightly, checking the mixture’s consistency before baking.