Difference Between Flapjacks And Pancakes (With Pictures)

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Flapjacks And Pancakes

In the United States, the terms flapjacks and pancakes are somewhat used interchangeably to mean the same thing, but in United Kingdom, flapjacks are something else entirely and they are nothing like pancakes as American know them. In the UK and other parts of the world, flapjacks are made with sugar, flour, milk, butter, oats and a leavening agent. They are generally served with honey. Flapjacks can be made with any flavor combination according to one’s desires, including dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, yoghurt, toffee pieces or coatings and even spread with jam in the center or topped with icing or chocolate ganache. Flapjacks may be served at any time of the day; they are great for breakfast, dinner, packed lunches and the like.

Flapjacks

Pancake on the other hand, is a flat cake, often thin and round prepared from a fried batter that is usually made from eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and a dash of baking powder; and cooked on a hot surface such as griddle or frying pan, often frying with oil or butter. They are generally served with maple syrup, jam, lemon and butter. Pancakes are generally served for breakfast in many parts of the world with a variety of toppings or fillings. Pancakes can have additional ingredients in them such as blueberries, raspberries, apple slices etc.

Pancake

What You Need To Know About Flapjacks

  • A flapjack in the UK is a traybake, typically a mixture of oats, butter and honey or golden syrup baked and cut into bars. It may also have icing.
  • The flapjack will have a thick dense bite to it and will be crunchy on the outside and soft inside.
  • Flapjacks are typically cooked on iron skillets with some cooking oil standing at the bottom.
  • In the UK, flapjacks are made from sugar, flour, milk, butter, oats and a leavening agent.
  • They are usually served with honey.
  • Favorite fillings for flapjacks include fruit, coconut or nuts.
  • The flapjacks are much more substantial and heavier than pancakes.

What You Need To Know About Pancakes

  • In the UK, a pancake is either an American pancake or a Scotch pancake (similar to the American one, but eaten cold) or a very thin pancake, more like a crepe.
  • Generally a breakfast food.
  • The pancakes are thin, cooked usually in butter and soft all round.
  • Pancakes are typically cooked on a griddle with very little butter/oil.
  • Pancakes are made from a fried batter that is usually made from eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and a dash of baking powder.
  • Pancakes are usually served with maple syrup, jam, lemon and butter.
  • Sweet or savoury fillings can be used with pancakes.

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Difference Between Flapjacks And Pancakes

BASIS OF COMPARISON FLAPJACKS PANCAKES
Description A flapjack in the UK is a traybake, typically a mixture of oats, butter and honey or golden syrup baked and cut into bars. It may also have icing.   In the UK, a pancake is either an American pancake or a Scotch pancake (similar to the American one, but eaten cold) or a very thin pancake, more like a crepe.  
Shape Often cut into rectangles. Often round in shape (unleavened and resembles a crepe).
Suitability They are great for breakfast, dinner, packed lunches and the like. Generally a breakfast food.  
Nature The flapjack will have a thick dense bite to it and will be crunchy on the outside and soft inside.   The pancakes are thin, cooked usually in butter and soft all round.  
Cooking Flapjacks are typically cooked on iron skillets with some cooking oil or grease standing at the bottom.   Pancakes are typically cooked on a griddle with very little grease/oil.  
Ingredients In the UK, flapjacks are made from sugar, flour, milk, butter, oats and a leavening agent.   Pancakes are made from a fried batter that is usually made from eggs, buttermilk, flour, salt and a dash of baking powder.  
How They Are Served They are usually served with honey.   Pancakes are usually served with maple syrup, jam, lemon and butter.  
Size & Thickness Flapjacks are typically thick and denser when compared to pancakes.   Pancakes are typically thin and less dense when compared to flapjacks.  
Weight The flapjacks are much more substantial and heavier than pancakes.   Pancakes are less substantial and lighter when compared to flapjacks.
Fillings Favorite fillings for flapjacks include fruit, coconut or nuts.   Sweet or savoury fillings can be used with pancakes.  

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