Can I use maple syrup instead of golden syrup for flapjacks?

Golden syrup makes flapjacks soft, gooey, chewy and very moreish. If you don’t have any in your pantry, but are a custodian of a maple syrup bottle, you may have wondered if you can use it for flapjacks instead.

Yes, you can use maple syrup instead of golden syrup in flapjacks. While golden syrup is the traditional choice in flapjack recipes, pure maple syrup is a popular natural alternative. Unlike golden syrup, pure maple syrup doesn’t contain refined sugar.

There’s more to discuss on this topic, so let’s look more closely at maple syrup as an alternative for golden syrup in flapjacks.

How it changes the flapjacks

There are several knock-on effects of using maple syrup as a treacle substitute, and these should be accommodated when you are baking.

Texture

Golden syrup makes flapjacks soft and chewy. Maple syrup has more water and less stickiness, which makes the baked bars crunchier. If you prefer a softer flapjack, try reducing the baking time slightly and removing the tray while the centre still feels a little soft. The bars will firm up as they cool.

Flavour

Maple syrup adds a distinct, rich maple taste instead of the buttery caramel flavour of golden syrup. A darker grade gives the most noticeable maple flavour. Amber Rich offers a milder, more rounded sweetness. Maple also pairs well with flapjack favourites such as pecans, dates, dried fruit and a pinch of cinnamon.

Binding

You can substitute maple syrup on a 1:1 basis. Make sure to press the oat mixture down very firmly in the tin so the bars hold together and do not crumble, becoming granola.

Leaving the flapjacks to cool completely in the tin before cutting also helps them hold their shape. Some bakers find that gently simmering the butter, sugar and maple syrup together for a minute or two helps create a firmer binding. Adding a spoonful of nut butter or a mashed banana can also help hold the mixture together.