Breakfast Bars To Flapjacks

Asked by Colin1665. Answered on 28th June 2016

Full question

I can't find a decent flapjack recipe that works. Could the Breakfast Bars be made with all porridge oats adding to the weight of dry ingredients? Thank you.

Our answer

Nigella's Breakfast Bars (from NIGELLA EXPRESS) are bars made from porridge oats (rolled oats or quick-cooking oats) and condensed milk. Dried fruits, seeds and shredded coconut are added to the mixture as well. Whilst it would be possible to make a plain oat bar without the mix-ins, we would not particularly suggest substituting extra oats.

The added fruit and seeds do not help to bind the mixture, nor do they absorb much moisture. But the oats do absorb a fair amount of moisture and if you increase the amount of oats by much then the bars will start to become dry and crumbly. If you do make the bars omitting the fruit and seeds then the baking time may be slightly shorter as the bars will be thinner, so start checking them after 45 minutes of baking.