Homemade Hobnobs recipe. crunchy oaty biscuits topped with milk chocolate. The perfect biscuit for dunking in tea or coffee!
Homemade Hobnobs Recipe
If you’re a biscuit lover, you’ll know that Hobnobs are a true British classic. Crunchy, oaty, and perfectly sweet, these biscuits are famous for their incredible texture and their ability to hold up when dunked into a hot drink. This homemade Hobnobs recipe is simple, delicious, and tastes just like the shop-bought version but even better!
With a golden oaty base topped with a smooth layer of milk chocolate, these oaty chocolate biscuits are the ultimate teatime treat. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of tea, coffee, or even as a snack on their own, these homemade biscuits will quickly become a family favourite!
After seeing Hobnobs featured on The Great British Bake Off as a biscuit week technical challenge, I knew I had to create my own version, just like I did with my Biscoff Fondant Fancies (you can find that recipe here!). Hobnobs are truly one of my all-time favourite biscuits, right up there with classics like Digestives, Bourbons, Custard Creams, Jammie Dodgers, Oreos, and Biscoff biscuits. I’ve always been a biscuit lover, and this recipe is a delicious homemade twist on a British favourite that’s perfect for dunking into a hot drink. Enjoy! x
What Is A Hobnob?
If you’re from the UK, you’ll definitely know what a Hobnob biscuit is! they’re Crunchy, oaty, and sweet, Hobnobs are like a cross between a flapjack and a digestive biscuit. Perfect for dunking in tea or coffee, these classic British biscuits have become a staple in biscuit tins across the country. If you’ve never tried one before, this homemade Hobnobs recipe is the perfect place to start!
Why You’ll Love This Hobnobs Recipe
- Crispy & chewy texture– the oats make these biscuits irresistibly moreish.
- Simple ingredients– pantry staples come together in minutes.
- Perfect for dunking– strong enough to dip into tea or coffee without falling apart.
- Better than shop-bought– homemade biscuits taste fresher and are easy to customise.
- Freezer-friendly– bake a big batch and save some for later.
- Perfect snacks- ideal as a lunchbox snack for kids, after-school treat, or an on-the-go snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Rolled oats– the star of the recipe, giving Hobnobs their signature crunch.
- Butter- You can use either block butter (let it soften slightly at room temperature for easier mixing) or a baking spread straight from the fridge. Both work well, but block butter will give your homemade Hobnobs a richer, more traditional flavour, while baking spread makes the dough quicker to handle.
- Flour- I use half plain wholemeal flour and half plain flour for this recipe. The plain flour balances the oats and helps bind the dough. Whereas the wholemeal flour adds to the classic hobnob flavour.
- Cornflour- Cornflour (also called cornstarch) is a secret ingredient that helps create the perfect Hobnob texture.
- Light brown sugar- adds sweetness and a subtle caramel flavour.
- Butter- for richness and texture.
- Golden syrup- gives chewiness and that classic Hobnob flavour.
- Bicarbonate of soda- helps the biscuits spread slightly while baking.
- Milk chocolate- melted and spread on top for the perfect finishing touch and chocolate snap.
How to Make Homemade Hobnobs
- Preheat oven– Set to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment.
- Mix dry ingredients– In a bowl, combine oats, flours, sugar, and bicarbonate of soda.
- Melt wet ingredients– In the microwave, melt butter with golden syrup until smooth.
- Combine– Stir wet ingredients into the dry until a dough forms.
- Shape– Roll into small balls, flatten slightly, and place on the baking tray.
- Bake– Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. If your hobnobs aren’t perfect circles, use a cookie ring to make them the perfect shape!
- Cool & decorate– Once cooled, spread melted milk chocolate on top of each biscuit.
- Set & enjoy– Allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Hobnobs
- Use rolled oats rather than instant oats for the best texture.
- You can use all plain flour if you’d prefer.
- For extra crunch, bake the biscuits a little longer.
- Swap milk chocolate for dark or white chocolate for variation.
- If you like a nuttier flavour, add a spoonful of peanut butter to the dough.
- Store in an airtight container to keep biscuits crisp for up to 5 days.
- Use a cookie ring once baked to swirl them into the perfect circle biscuit.
Can I make Hobnobs gluten-free, dairy-free, or egg-free?
Yes! This homemade Hobnobs recipe can easily be adapted to suit different dietary needs:
- Gluten-free Hobnobs– Swap the flour for a gluten-free blend (check it contains xanthan gum, or add ¼ tsp per 150g of flour). Don’t forget to use certified gluten-free oats.
- Dairy-free Hobnobs– Use a dairy-free butter alternative and either choose a dairy-free chocolate or skip the chocolate topping.
- Egg-free Hobnobs– Good news, this recipe is naturally egg-free, making it perfect for egg-free baking.
Keep in mind that swapping ingredients may slightly change the texture and taste, but the biscuits will still be equally delicious!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Hobnobs without golden syrup?
Yes, you can substitute with honey or maple syrup, but golden syrup gives the most authentic flavour.
How long do homemade Hobnobs last?
Stored in an airtight tin, they last around 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, simply use gluten-free oats and a gluten-free flour blend.
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk?
Definitely! dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the oaty biscuit base.
Why are my Hobnobs soft instead of crunchy?
This may happen if they are underbaked. Leave them in the oven for a couple more minutes to crisp up.
Recommended Equipment & Ingredients
- stand mixer Use code BITEOFBAKES for 20% off.
- electric hand whisk
- Mixing Bowl Mine is pink of course!
- Scales
- Baking Tin (Square 9×9″).
- Baking Trays
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Making your own Homemade Hobnobs is easier than you might think and the results are absolutely delicious. With a golden oaty crunch, sweet caramel flavour from golden syrup, and a layer of creamy milk chocolate, these biscuits are perfect for dunking, gifting, or simply enjoying with a hot drink. Once you’ve tried this recipe, shop-bought Hobnobs just won’t taste the same again!
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment Below I’d love to hear what you think!
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Homemade Hobnobs
Ingredients
- 150g Rolled Oats
- 80g Light Brown Sugar
- 60g Plain Wholemeal Flour
- 60g Plain Flour
- 1/2 tsp Bicarbonate Of Soda
- 120g Unsalted Butter
- 40g Golden Syrup
- 200g Milk Chocolate (Decoration).
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180c (160c fan) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add your butter and golden syrup and melt together, stir until smooth and combined.
- Stir in rolled oats, sugar, flours and bicarb and mix until the dough comes together.Tip: If the dough feels crumbly, continue mixing or use the warmth of your hands to bring it together, it should be slightly crumbly but hold its shape.
- Scoop the mixture and weigh around 80g each and roll into balls. (I made 6 large hobnobs but you could make smaller ones too).
- Place the dough balls onto the lined trays and press down slightly to flatten them into cookie shapes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden. For a crunchier texture, bake for the full 15 minutes and let cool on the trays.
- Once cooled, spread a teaspoon of melted chocolate over the base of each biscuit, spreading to the edges. You can set the chocolate in the fridge for speed, or leave at room temperature, it may just stay slightly softer. (This is optional, you could also use white or dark chocolate too).
- Allow the chocolate to fully set, then serve and enjoy your homemade Hobnobs!