Flapjack vs. Pancake — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023
A flapjack is often a baked bar made from oats and syrup, while a pancake is a flat, thin cake made from batter and fried.
Difference Between Flapjack and Pancake
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Flapjacks in the United States are essentially synonymous with pancakes, referring to a light, fluffy breakfast food cooked on a griddle. In the UK, however, a flapjack is a dense, sweet oat bar baked in the oven. Pancakes, in general, are known worldwide, made from a pourable batter that often includes eggs, flour, milk, and a raising agent.
The term flapjack dates back to the 1600s and initially described a flat cake cooked in a skillet. Pancakes have a history that spans centuries and cultures, with variations in thickness and ingredients. While American flapjacks and pancakes are the same, British flapjacks are more like granola bars and are not typically served as breakfast.
American flapjacks and pancakes are often eaten for breakfast, topped with butter, syrup, fruit, or whipped cream. British flapjacks are a sweet treat, commonly enjoyed as a snack or dessert, and are made with oats, butter, brown sugar, and golden syrup. Pancakes, on the other hand, can be served with a variety of toppings and are not limited to sweet flavors; they can also be savory.
Flapjacks, in the American sense, may include mix-ins like blueberries or chocolate chips within the batter. Pancakes, especially in American diners, are served in stacks and can be quite large in diameter. The British flapjack's chewy texture contrasts with the typically soft and fluffy texture of American pancakes.
Flapjacks in the UK do not use a batter, and as such, they are not fried but rather baked until they hold together firmly. Pancakes may come in many forms, such as thin crêpes or thicker American-style pancakes, and can be flipped in a pan to cook both sides to a golden brown. The method of preparation and cooking is a primary distinction between the two.
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Comparison Chart
Main Ingredients
Oats, butter, sugar, golden syrup
Flour, eggs, milk, baking powder
Cooking Method
Baked in an oven
Fried on a griddle or skillet
Texture
Dense and chewy
Light and fluffy
Origin of Term
1600s for a flat cake in a skillet
Ancient, varies by culture
Common Time to Eat
Snack or dessert
Breakfast or brunch
Compare with Definitions
Flapjack
Flapjack refers to a pancake in American English.
He ordered a stack of flapjacks at the diner.
Pancake
A pancake is a flat, round cake made from batter and cooked on a hot surface.
For breakfast, he made blueberry pancakes.
Flapjack
British flapjacks are made using golden syrup for sweetness.
The golden syrup gave the flapjacks a rich flavor.
Pancake
Pancakes can be served with various toppings, such as syrup or fruit.
She drizzled maple syrup over her stack of pancakes.
Flapjack
A flapjack is traditionally not served for breakfast in the UK.
The flapjack was offered at the bake sale alongside the cakes.
Pancake
American pancakes are known for being thick and fluffy.
The secret to fluffy pancakes is not to overmix the batter.
Flapjack
Flapjacks are often cut into squares or rectangles.
She sliced the freshly baked flapjack into squares to share.
Pancake
Pancakes are a popular breakfast item in many countries.
Pancakes are a traditional breakfast food in her family on weekends.
Flapjack
A flapjack is a sweet baked oat bar in the UK.
She packed a flapjack for her afternoon tea break.
Pancake
Crepes are the French version of thin pancakes.
He preferred his pancakes thin, like the crepes he ate in Paris.
Flapjack
See pancake.
Pancake
A pancake (or hotcake, griddlecake, or flapjack, not to be confused with oat bar flapjacks) is a flat cake, often thin and round, prepared from a starch-based batter that may contain eggs, milk and butter and cooked on a hot surface such as a griddle or frying pan, often frying with oil or butter. Archaeological evidence suggests that pancakes were probably the earliest and most widespread cereal food eaten in prehistoric societies.The pancake's shape and structure varies worldwide.
Flapjack
Chiefly British A hard or chewy bar traditionally made from oats and brown sugar, softened with butter and golden syrup, and then baked.
Pancake
A thin, flat cake of batter, fried on both sides in a pan and typically rolled up with a sweet or savoury filling
Crispy pancakes filled with cheese
Pancake batter
Flapjack
(US) A pancake.
Sven ordered a stack of flapjacks with maple syrup, two strips of bacon, and an egg, sunny side up.
Pancake
Make-up consisting of a flat solid layer of compressed powder, used especially in the theatre.
Flapjack
(British) A bar made of (though not limited to) rolled oats, butter, golden syrup, and brown sugar, baked in a tray.
Pancake
(with reference to an aircraft) make or cause to make a pancake landing
The plane landed, pancaking down on the runway
Flapjack
A fklat cake turned on the griddle while cooking; a griddlecake or pacake.
Pancake
Flatten or become flattened
Hurley's car was pancaked
Flapjack
A fried dough cake containing fruit; a turnover.
Pancake
A thin cake made of batter that is poured onto a hot greased surface and cooked on both sides until brown. Also called flannel cake, flapjack, griddle cake, hotcake; also called regionally battercake.
Flapjack
A flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle
Pancake
To cause (an aircraft) to make a pancake landing.
Pancake
To make a pancake landing.
Pancake
To fall flat to the ground with great force, especially to collapse in such a way that higher floors or structures fall directly on the ones beneath.
Pancake
A thin batter cake fried in a pan or on a griddle in oil or butter; in particular:
Pancake
In England, an often unleavened cake similar to a crepe.
Pancake
In the US (and e.g. Scotland), a leavened, thicker, fluffier cake.
Pancake
(theater) A kind of makeup, consisting of a thick layer of a compressed powder.
Pancake
(juggling) A type of throw, usually with a ring where the prop is thrown in such a way that it rotates round an axis of the diameter of the prop.
Pancake
Anything very thin and flat.
Pancake lens
Pancake
Composite leather made of scraps, glue and board, by extension of (4), material originally used for insoles, but later used also for heels and even soles.
Pancake
A box on which an actor stands to make them appear taller.
Pancake
(volleyball) A defensive play in which the ball bounces off the top of a hand that has been pressed flat against the floor.
Pancake
(intransitive) To make a pancake landing.
Pancake
To collapse one floor after another.
Pancake
(transitive) To flatten violently.
Pancake
A thin cake of batter fried in a pan or on a griddle; a griddlecake; a flapjack.
Pancake
A flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle
Common Curiosities
Are flapjacks and pancakes the same in America?
Yes, in America, the term flapjack is often another word for pancake.
Are flapjacks considered healthy?
Flapjacks can be high in sugar and butter, so they are often not considered a health food.
What are traditional toppings for a pancake?
Pancakes can be topped with syrup, fruit, chocolate, whipped cream, or even savory items like bacon.
Do British flapjacks contain flour?
No, traditional British flapjacks do not contain flour; they are primarily made of oats.
Can pancakes be made vegan?
Yes, pancakes can be made vegan by substituting animal products with plant-based alternatives.
Are pancakes easy to make from scratch?
Yes, pancakes have a simple batter and are easy to make at home.
Do flapjacks have to include golden syrup?
While golden syrup is traditional, other sweeteners can be used in flapjacks.
Is there a trick to flipping pancakes?
Wait until the pancake bubbles and the edges are set before flipping for the best results.
Can pancakes be frozen for later use?
Yes, pancakes freeze well and can be reheated for a quick meal.
Can flapjacks be made gluten-free?
Yes, by ensuring the oats are certified gluten-free, flapjacks can cater to a gluten-free diet.
How long do flapjacks last?
Properly stored in an airtight container, flapjacks can last up to a week.
Can you add fruit to pancake batter?
Yes, fruits like bananas or blueberries can be added directly to the batter.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
