Most of us consider flapjack and pancake as the same thing, but they are quite different. I know you must be wondering how? To clear all your doubts, here is a detailed article on flapjack vs. pancake.
Flapjack is a pancake, but there is quite a noticeable difference when it comes to its making process and shape. Flapjack has somewhere a sweet tray baked bar with a rectangular appearance, whereas pancakes are round and flat in shape. Pancakes have much thinner batter than flapjacks.
Another main difference is the ingredients that are used to make them. Flapjacks are made from oats, whereas pancakes are prepared from flour.
When it comes to toppings and fillings, they are quite distinct. Chocolate icings, nuts, coconut, and fruits are used as toppings on flapjacks, whereas, Pancakes can be used with sweet toppings, including maple syrup, jam, honey, sugar, or savory ingredients.
For your ease, I have mentioned all the points of difference between flapjacks and pancakes. But before going ahead, let us take a little hint about how they differ from the difference table mentioned below.
Flapjack Vs. Pancake | Difference Table
| Basis Of Difference | Flapjack | Pancakes |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Flapjack is basically a tray-baked bar. | Pancakes are made from thin batter and must be cooked from both sides. |
| Shape | Flapjacks are usually rectangular in shape. | Pancakes are round and flat in shape. |
| Ingredients | Flapjack is made from a combination of oats, brown sugar, golden syrup, honey, and butter. | The batter of pancakes is made from a combination of flour, eggs, milk, butter, baking powder, and a leavening agent. |
| Other Names | Flapjacks are called pancakes in the US, granola bars, or muesli bars. | Pancakes are known as hotcakes or griddle cakes. |
| Appearance | Flapjacks are rectangular bars, have a thicker appearance, and are much denser than pancakes. | Pancakes look like a crepe with a round appearance and have thin cakes. |
| Reputation | Flapjack is less known to common folks. | Pancakes are quite common. |
| In The US And Canada | Flapjacks are made from thin batter. | Pancakes are also made from thin batter. |
| In The UK | Flapjack is a sweet tray-baked bar made from oats. | Pancakes are called fried cakes with a thin batter and are cooked or fried from both sides. |
| Toppings | Chocolate icings, nuts, coconut, and fruits are used as toppings on flapjacks. | Pancakes can be used with sweet toppings, including maple syrup, jam, honey, sugar, or savory ingredients. |
| Texture | Flapjacks are generally thicker than pancakes and are soft inside with a crunch on the outside. | Pancakes are generally soft and lighter than flapjacks. |
| Different Types | No variations | Pancakes are present in different forms, such as dosa in India, palatschinken, crepe, and Serabi in Indonesia. |
| Meals To Serve | Flapjacks are suitable for breakfast, lunch as well as dinner meals. | Pancakes are usually used for breakfast. |
| Cooking Method | Flapjacks are usually baked using iron skillets. | Pancakes are usually fired in a pan with oil, or you can also use the griddle for cooking them. |
| Fillings | Flapjacks are not prepared by fillings. | Pancakes can be made by using sweet or savory fillings. |
| Taste | Flapjacks have a sweet taste. | Pancakes can be sweet or have a savory taste. |
What Is Pancake?
Pancakes are made from thin batter and must be cooked from both sides. These have a round, flat, and thin appearance.
Pancakes are generally soft and lighter than flapjacks. These cakes are popularly known as hotcakes and griddle cakes in some areas.
These cakes have a long historical process; after thousands of years, these cakes have a perfect recipe for today’s era. Thus, you can see the multiple variations of pancakes available in the world. French crepes, American pancakes, scotch pancakes, and Indonesian Serabi are some of the famous kinds of pancakes.
The batter of pancakes is made from a combination of flour, eggs, milk, and butter. Sometimes people use buttermilk to prepare a richer batter with the addition of baking soda or baking powder.
You can also add leavening agents if you want to make thicker pancakes. You can also make pancakes with different ingredients, such as chocolate chips, berries, or lemon juice. You can also make it with savory fillings such as potatoes, chives, or scallions.
Pancakes can be used with sweet toppings, including maple syrup, jam, honey, sugar, or savory ingredients. You can munch and serve pancakes using sweet or savory fillings.
What Is Flapjack?
Flapjacks are tray-baked bars with a rectangular appearance and are made from oats. These cakes are generally thicker than pancakes and are soft inside with a crunch on the outside.
Flapjack is made from a combination of rolled oats, brown sugar, golden syrup, honey, and butter. These also have different names. These names basically depend upon the ingredients from which it is made. These cakes are called pancakes in the US, granola bars, or muesli bars.
You can easily prepare these cakes within a bit of time. They are usually baked using iron skillets. You can also use the oven for baking these tray bake bars.
You can enjoy flapjacks with different toppings, including chocolate icings, nuts, coconut, and fruits. However, there are no fillings added while preparing flapjacks. Flapjacks are suitable for your healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Serve flapjacks with tea or coffee.
Flapjack Vs. Pancake | Difference Between The Two
1. Appearances
Flapjacks are tray-baked bars with a rectangular appearance and are made from oats. These cakes are generally thicker than pancakes and are soft inside with a crunch on the outside, whereas pancakes are made from thin batter and must be cooked from both sides.
These have a round, flat, and thin appearance. Pancakes are generally soft and lighter than flapjacks.
2. Common Names
Pancakes are popularly known as hotcakes and griddle cakes in some areas. These cakes have a long historical process; after thousands of years, these cakes have a perfect recipe for today’s era.
Thus, you can see the multiple variations of pancakes available in the world. French crepes, American pancakes, scotch pancakes, and Indonesian Serabi are some of the famous kinds of pancakes.
Flapjacks also have different names. These names basically depend upon the ingredients from which it is made. Flapjacks are called pancakes in the US, granola bars, or muesli bars. You can easily prepare these cakes within a bit of time.
3. Ingredients
Flapjack is made from a combination of rolled oats, brown sugar, golden syrup, honey, and butter. On the other hand, the batter of pancakes is made from a combination of flour, eggs, milk, and butter.
Sometimes people use buttermilk to prepare a richer batter with the addition of baking soda or baking powder. You can also add leavening agents if you want to make thicker pancakes.
You can also make pancakes with different ingredients, such as chocolate chips, berries, or lemon juice. You can also make it with savory fillings such as potatoes, chives, or scallions.
4. Cooking Method
Flapjacks are usually baked using iron skillets. You can also use the oven for baking these tray bake bars. On the contrary, pancakes are usually fired in a pan with oil, or you can also use the griddle for cooking them.
5. Suitability
Flapjacks are suitable for your healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Serve flapjacks with tea or coffee. Pancakes are usually used for breakfast or can be used as snacks.
6. Toppings And Fillings
You can enjoy flapjacks with different toppings, including chocolate icings, nuts, coconut, and fruits. However, there are no fillings added while preparing flapjacks.
Pancakes can be used with sweet toppings, including maple syrup, jam, honey, sugar, or savory ingredients. You can munch and serve pancakes using sweet or savory fillings.
Flapjack Vs. Pancake | Which One Is More Versatile?
As I have already mentioned, a flapjack is made from a combination of rolled oats, brown sugar, golden syrup, honey, and butter. On the other hand, the batter of pancakes is made from a combination of flour, eggs, milk, and butter.
Sometimes people use buttermilk to prepare a richer batter with the addition of baking soda or baking powder. You can also add leavening agents if you want to make thicker pancakes.
You can also make pancakes with different ingredients, such as chocolate chips, berries, or lemon juice. You can also make it with savory fillings such as potatoes, chives, or scallions.
Thus, pancakes are much more versatile in nature, as you can enjoy them with different fillings and toppings, which is not possible with a flapjack.
Flapjack Vs. Pancake | Which One Is Healthier?
In my opinion, a flapjack is much healthier than pancakes. This is because of the ingredients from which these are made of.
Oats are the basic ingredients from which the flapjacks are prepared. Thus, flapjacks are low in saturated fats and help lower cholesterol. You can also make a low-fat flapjack.
Top Recipes To Make With Flapjack
1. Yummy Golden Syrup Flapjack
To prepare this mouthwatering golden syrup flapjack, you need four ingredients which are oats, golden syrup, brown sugar, and butter.
You can easily customize this recipe of flapjacks by adding chocolate chips, coconut, sultanas, or any other ingredients of your own choice. Try this easy-to-make recipe that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
2. Sticky Plums Flapjacks Bars
This recipe of sticky plums flapjacks is super easy and simple to prepare. You can even involve your kids. They can give their input in weighing, mixing, and measuring all the quantities.
Make these bars if you are looking for an autumn treat to serve your guests. These bars, when blended with spices, taste scrumptious. You can serve this recipe with cream, custard, or ice cream.
3. Chocolate And Caramel Flapjacks
If you want to replace your shortbread, then try this chocolate and caramel flapjacks recipe. It is an extremely delicious recipe and can be prepared in just a matter of an hour.
You can use this dessert to give to your loved ones during the festive season. If you are a fan of chocolate, then try this easy-to-make recipe. Make sure you prepare that recipe in advance, as it will give time for the caramel to set overnight.
4. Ginger Flapjacks
Another gem addition to this list of the top recipes is ginger flapjacks. Try this special dish with a spicy, strong ginger taste and flapjacks’ sweetness.
Use this recipe to give a little company to your afternoon drinks. You can use grounded and crystallized ginger for icing the bars. Use coconuts with ginger to add extra flavor.
5. Coffee And Walnut Flapjacks
Try this decadent treat of coffee and walnut flapjack to serve your guests and family. Use flapjack as a base to give a little twist to this combination of walnuts and coffee. If you want to add an extra flavor, add a shot of espresso to the oat mix. You can use walnuts for garnishing.
Top Recipes To Make With Pancakes
1. American Blueberry Pancakes
American blueberry Pancakes are one of the oldest recipes. This recipe gives a fruity punch and variations to regular American pancakes.
Adding blueberries to regular pancakes enhances the flavors and taste of the recipe. It will fill your mouth with different flavors with just one bite. You can use maple syrup to give an extra flavor.
2. Chocolate-Filled Pancakes With Caramelized Bananas
If you are an admirer of chocolate, then try this chocolate-filled pancake recipe with caramelized bananas. This recipe contains sweet and fried pancakes with a hidden chocolate center and maple syrup.
To make this recipe more delicious, place a layer of caramelized bananas between pancakes and use crunchy hazelnuts as garnishing.
3. Fluffy American pancakes with cherry berry syrup
You will love this American pancake recipe with cherry berry syrup. It is a perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. It has a layer of silky mascarpone with a tangy flavor of fruits.
You can use a piece of grilled bacon to top this recipe and add extra flavor. It will also give a salty flavor to the dish.
4. Scotch pancakes
Try to add extra flavor to your regular American pancakes and replace them with scotch pancakes. They are smaller than regular pancakes and have a crisp outside layer.
If you want to give a traditional touch, try to make these by f=dropping batter onto a griddle. Enjoy these pancakes with butter during your daytime or for a quick meal.
5. Fluffy Japanese-style pancakes
Another scrumptious yet easy-to-make recipe on this list of top recipes is the fluffy Japanese-style pancakes. These are irresistible and light. Make sure you cook the batter for this recipe on low flame in crumpet tins.
Flapjack Vs. Pancake | Which One Is Better?
As I have already discussed, pancakes are quite versatile and can be made from different ingredients and fillings.
Pancakes go well with sweet toppings, including maple syrup, jam, honey, sugar, or savory ingredients. You can munch and serve pancakes using sweet or savory fillings.
Moreover, pancakes are much more popular than flapjacks. Moreover, you can see the multiple variations of pancakes available in the world. French crepes, American pancakes, scotch pancakes, and Indonesian Serabi are some of the famous kinds of pancakes.
Can We Substitute Flapjack With Pancake?
Yes, you can easily substitute flapjack with pancake. In the US, these two terms are quite interchangeable.
These are prepared with almost the same ingredients. You have to make a thin batter if you want to replace pancakes with flapjacks.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
What is flapjack?
Flapjacks are tray-baked bars with a rectangular appearance and are made from oats. These cakes are generally thicker than pancakes and are soft inside with a crunch on the outside.
What are the ingredients required to make pancakes?
The batter of pancakes is made from a combination of flour, eggs, milk, and butter. Sometimes people use buttermilk to prepare a richer batter with the addition of baking soda or baking powder. You can also add leavening agents if you want to make thicker pancakes.
Why are pancakes called flapjacks?
Flapjacks are usually sweet in taste and served with fruits and syrup. It is believed that the word flapjack came from flipping or flapping the cake on the griddle.
What is flapjack called in America?
Flapjack is also known as a pancake in the United States and Canada.
Can we substitute flapjack with pancake?
Yes, you can easily substitute flapjack with pancake. In the US, these two terms are quite interchangeable. You just have to make a thin batter if you want to replace pancakes with flapjacks.
Conclusion
I hope all your doubts about the flapjack and pancake are cleared now. If I still need to include something, let me know in the comments. All kinds of opinions are welcomed. I’ll see you another time. Until then, you keep discovering new things to read on our website. Thanks for reading, and take care!
