Stovetop Mini Flapjacks

Stovetop Mini Flapjacks are thin “rounds” of cornbread fried in a greased skillet on top of the stove. 

They look like pancakes.  Easy to make.  Crusty and delicious.

   

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Flapjacks, also known as griddlecakes, contain cornmeal and flour.

Cornmeal fries better in vegetable oil than in melted butter.  Pancakes are made with flour and usually cooked in melted butter.

According to wikipedia.org, in the United Kingdom, a flapjack (oat bar) refers to a sweet, tray-baked oat bar, most commonly made from rolled oats, butter, brown sugar and golden syrup.

British flapjacks have a dense-cookie-like texture.   They’re baked, not cooked on a griddle or flipped in a skillet like American (southern) flapjacks. 

In the United States (especially the south), flapjacks are thin “rounds” of cornbread batter fried in a greased skillet on top of the stove.

“Southern-style” flapjacks are often served with collard greens, cabbage and pinto beans. 

Many southerners enjoy flapjacks for breakfast.  The “breakfast flapjacks” are drizzled with honey, maple syrup, or buttery pancake syrup and served with scrambled eggs and bacon.

Why is a flapjack called a flapjack?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “flapjack” was used as early as the beginning of the 16th century.   During the time, it was very likely a flat tart.

According to reference.org, the “flap” part of flapjack dates back to the 1300s when “flap” was used in place of “to flip.”

It is uncertain as to what the “jack” in flapjack means.  However, it very likely refers to the small size of a flapjack.  Back then, “jack” meant something was smaller than normal.

The flapjack was originally used to describe a pancake.  However, the word flapjack has been used to describe a variety of dishes including an apple turnover.

For example, the apple turnover is known as an applejack or flapjack in many parts of England and is a cookie made by combining rolled oats and syrup.

Enjoy this recipe for Stovetop Mini Flapjacks (southern style)!   Pairs well with a salad. 

How To Read & Follow A Recipe

Reading a recipe is an important life skill.  It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what equipment to use. 

The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks  create a delicious dish as intended in the recipe. 

Start with clean hands and organized kitchen.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.

Create a relaxing environment.  Play favorite music while in the kitchen.  I love listening to classical or gospel music. 

Read the recipe.   Don’t just quickly skim it.  Thoroughly read from start to finish.  Visualize doing each step which will help you avoid missing a step.

If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitutions or omit the ingredient.

My recipes are packed with helpful tips like shortcuts and serving sizes which save time and help with meal planning. 

Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped.  For example, 1 cup of  chopped pecans is not the same as pecans, chopped (measure whole pecans and then chop).  

Know the assumptions.  For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar.  If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written as such in the recipe.  

Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.

Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.  

For example, my prep time doesn’t include bringing cold butter up to room temperature.  Be sure to include in your timetable.

Watch Recipe Videos.    If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos.  Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.    

Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.”   It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized and avoid missing an ingredient or missing a step in the instructions.

Organize your tools and kitchen equipment.  Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients.   Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.

Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times.  Make note of ingredients omitted,  favorite substitutions and creative twists.   The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe. 

Enjoy!