Apple flapjacks
Posted in 30-minutes recipe, Featured Articles, fruits, others, snacks, Vegetarian, Western
Oat is among the most nutritious grain that one can introduce to a child’s diet. As it’s easily digestable, it’s good to get your child to start enjoying oats at an early age. What’s more when this grain is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, B-vitamins (thiamin), vitamin E, calcium, protein, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc and phosphorus. Having a regular helping of oats can certainly bring substantial health benefits as well to both adults and children, such as
- Lowering cholesterol and helps in preventing heart disease
- Stabilising blood sugar level and lowering the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
- Reducing the risk of cancer with its phytochemicals (anti-cancer properties)
- Reducing the risk of asthma among children
- Relieving constipation
- Boosting the body’s immune system
Oats can be found in several forms, depending on the degree of processing they are subjected to.
Types of oats:
- Whole oats – They have a harder outer hull that must be removed before it’s ready for consumption.
- Oat groats – They are whole oat grains, with only the hard unpalatable outer hull removed, but the kernel outer bran layers are left intact. They need to be soaked, cooked a longer time (about 50 minutes) with more water.
- Steel-cut oats – They are also known as “pinhead” oats. They are oat groats that have been chopped into small pieces through steel cutters. They are very nutritious. They take about 30 minutes to cook and require less water in preparation.
- Rolled oats – They are steamed oat groats that have been flattened with a roller. They come in two distinct varieties. The first variety, also known as old fashioned oats (or jumbo), is made by first steaming the whole groat for a few minutes, thus partially cooking it, then passing it between rollers to flatten it out. The second variety, known as quick-cooking rolled oats, is made by putting steel-cut oats through the same process. Old fashioned oats may take approximately 15 minutes to cook whereas quick-cooking oats may take as little as 5.
- Instant oats – They are made in a similar process to rolled quick-cooking oats, except that they are steamed longer, cut finely and rolled thinner. They are used for making “instant” porridge. They are less nutritious because they usually have sugar, salt or other flavourings added to them.
- Oat flour – They are ground into a fine powder and available in three grades: coarse, medium and fine.
More reading references:
– The Cook’s Thesaurus
– Eat More Oats
– Homemade Baby Food Recipes
- People who suffer from coeliac disease should avoid oats and other gluten grains such as wheat, rye and barley. (Note: Coeliac disease is also known as gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity.)
- It is advisable to wait until your baby is at least 6 months of age before introducing oats as it is believed that oats may trigger off the risk of coeliac disease. Also, given that ANY food can potentially cause allergic reaction, it is wise to consult your child’s pediatrician if you want to introduce oats before your baby is 6 months old or your family has a history of gluten intolerance.
- Phytic acid is present in all wholegrains, including oats. While it is good to prevent cancer, it can also reduce mineral absorption like zinc and iron. By soaking, the amount of phytic acid is reduced so as to enable proper digestion and absorption of nutrients by the body.
How to include oats in your kid’s diet?
Althought oats are commonly used for boiling porridge and making muesli, you can also cook it in other interesting ways, like making muffins, granola bars, parfait and crumbles.
I must say I really adore this flapjack recipe very much as it is incredibly easy to make, and not to mention eggless, nut-free and wheat-free. (Note: Flapjack refers to an oat bar in British cuisine whereas it’s a thick pancake in US and Canada. Source: Wikipedia). It’s similar to ordinary granola bar except that it requires lesser ingredients and uses apple puree.
Fresh apples are cooked, pureed and then pressed through a sieve to squeeze out the excess juices. By doing so, the flapjack will not fall apart and is able to hold its shape when cooled. The pureed apple is then mixed with both oats and seeds to give it an overall chewy gooey texture. I use pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds to provide the flapjack with extra goodness and a nutty flavour. Of course, you are free to substitute seeds with any dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries or blackberries.
Whatever variations you may come up with, the most important thing of all is that this slow energy releasing, high fiber oat bar keeps your children going on busy days. Hence, they are ideal to be packed into school lunch boxes or as snack. They taste really delish, moist, buttery and yet not overly sweet. Kids will definitely love them. This includes my little boy. I just made some the other day and was amazed to see how fast they vanished from his lunch box.
For those who are concerned of choking hazards, serve the flapjack in a smaller bite size for younger kids.
>>>> Click on PAGE 2 BELOW for Apple Flapjack Recipe……………………
Fantastic! I have heard of flapjacks but never tried to make it. It does look pretty easy..
Lee Mei (MCH): Yeah, easy-peasy job for you. 😉
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Your kid is very lucky to have you. 🙂 He can eat many yummy, homemade and healthy foods everyday.
Oat is very healthy, good for our hearts and skin. I nearly eat oats everyday.
Christine: Thanks! In fact, he is the one who motivates me to eat oats. I hate oats especially oat porridge since small. 😉
I love oats and eat them every morning! They will definitely be a staple in my future childrens’ lives. These flapjacks look SUPER tasty!
Joanne: Thanks! You’re so healthy and whoever be your future children will be very lucky. 😉
I agree with Christine. Your kid is so lucky. You make practically everything from scratch, from raw ingredients. 🙂
Tigerfish: Thanks!! It’s my son who inspires me to think and eat healthily. I must say that I’m lucky to have him. 😉
I can imagine how tasty this apple flapjack is on your son’s face! He is so happy and satisfied with Mommy’s food. 🙂
Alice: I’m sure Sean will be as happy as my son if you make some for him. 😉
I know I will love this!
Peachkins: Oh! That’s great! 😉
Your boy is so cute! I should start eating more healthy like your family :p
Noobcook: Thanks! To me, health is wealth! Let’s join the wagon! 😉
My boy is sick of Oats porridge. This is good idea to make you eat oats…Thanks vm.
Evelyn Ng: Not only your son. I’m also a picky eater for oat porridge. Maybe this will change him mind about oats. Give it a try. 😉
What a fantastic apple desert. I have 3 apple trees in my back yard and loads of apples this year, so I am looking for some great ideas. Thanks for sharing this one.
*kisses* HH
Heavenly Housewife: Wow! How nice to have home-grown apples!! Must be super-yummy! It’s my pleasure to share. 😉
Great way to incorporate oats into one’s diet! I should feed that to my fussy hubs =P
Pigpigscorner: Hahaha! No harm giving it a try! 😉
What a great-looking fall treat! I always make apple turnovers around this time of year!
Kathryn: Thanks! Apple turnovers sound great! I got to check it out. 😉
This looks really good! My boys do not like oat by itself. Maybe I should give this a try! 🙂
KidsDreamWork: Thanks!! Hope your boy will enjoy eating oats this way. 😉
This is kind of healthy stuff! Great to feed children with this snack!
Kitchen Corner: Yeah, definitely healthier than those commercial snacks. 😉
I love anything healthy. I don’t like oat porridge too, so I used them in waffle and cookies. Got to check out this flapjack recipe. 😉
LCOM: I don’t like oat porridge too. Using oats in waffle and cookies are such great ideas. Thanks for sharing. 😉
Healthy snacks for everyone. Great job!
Dora: Thanks for your sweet comment! 😉
Hi LK, your flapjacks look yummy not to mention the nutritional benefits – I think I should make some too (for myself) lol
Jen (ToH): Thanks! Yeah, it’s good to make some at home rather than buying from the store. Hope you will enjoy these bars. 😉
LK your little boy is so adorable! And this looks like a great recipe. Will pass it on to my friend whose poor son is allergic to just about everything…
Clare: Thanks for your wonderful compliment! Hope this recipe will be helpful to your friend’s son. 😉
Pardon my ignorance, may i know where can i buy sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds? i can’t find them in NTUC.
Cigi: You can find them under the organic section. Look for Organic Healthcare (Green colour). I always buy them from NTUC. If not, you can try Cold Storage. Hope it helps. 😉
Thanks thanks. I found them!
Cigi: That’s great! Looking forward to your kind feedback!
Just made these for our 5 year old’s lunchbox with gluten free oats and trying coconut oil instead of butter which she can’t eat. They look and smell wonderful, thanks, and i’m sneaking it in as a surprise for her at school as i normally don’t get round to a pudding as cooking for her diet quite time consuming!
Iona: Thanks for your kind feedback! Glad that your modified version suits your daughter’s taste bud. 😉
do I need to soak e oats before baking?
Geri: No, it is not required. 🙂