ANZAC biscuits are a classic Australian and New Zealand recipe which originated during WW1. These sweet golden biscuits are ready in less than 20 minutes... and have the perfect amount of chewiness and crunch!
ANZACS are a staple recipe in our house! It's not often that we don't have our cookie jar filled with chocolate chip cookies, yoyos, or these ANZACS. And why not... when they're all so quick and easy to make.
These simple biscuits are also my go-to recipe for lunch boxes as the ingredients are all pantry staples so I can whip them up at the last minute without making a trip to the supermarket!
ANZAC Biscuits
ANZAC biscuits are the most well known (and popular!) biscuit recipe in Australia. ANZAC stands for "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" and these biscuits are traditionally made to commemorate ANZAC Day on the 25th April each year.
ANZAC biscuits were originally made by the wives and mothers of soldiers fighting in World War 1 and were sent to them in packages. They used this recipe as the biscuits would last for several weeks.
* Please note that my ANZAC biscuits recipe has been approved for publishing by the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs.
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
Ask any Australian or New Zealand family for their favourite biscuit or cookie recipe and you can almost be guaranteed the answer will be ANZACS.
In fact, I don't know any Aussie kid that grew up without these yummy little oat biscuits making an appearance in their lunchbox at least once a month (usually more!).
Here's why they're so popular:
- They Last Forever - well not exactly 'forever' but a LONG time! ANZACS were originally made by the wives, sisters and mothers of soldiers fighting in World War 1 and so the biscuits had to last for months as they were sent slowly by ship across the world. I recommend storing the biscuits in an airtight container for several weeks. Note: they will last longer, but will soften over time.
- Budget-Friendly - being a wartime recipe, these biscuits had to be made from staple ingredients that were cheap to buy. An entire batch of 20 cookies will set you back just a dollar or two.
- Great For Lunch Boxes - whether it's a lunch box treat, an after school snack or a mid morning pick-me-up, the kids will love these!
- Freezer-Friendly - you can freeze either the unbaked dough or the baked biscuits.
- Chewy Or Crunchy? - everyone likes their ANZACS a particular way! Follow my step by step instructions for baking your ANZACS to be either crunchy or chewy.
What You Need
Forget about making a trip to the supermarket... you probably already have what you need at home!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method
- Dry Ingredients - rolled oats, plain flour, brown sugar, desiccated (fine) coconut and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda).
- Wet Ingredients - butter and golden syrup (see substitutes below).
Golden syrup is a cane sugar syrup popular in Australian, New Zealand and British baking recipes. While it's readily available in these countries, it's difficult to buy in the US and other parts of the world.
If you're unable to buy golden syrup, you can replace it with corn syrup, honey or maple syrup (corn syrup will give you the most similar light and buttery flavour).
Step By Step Instructions
3 easy steps is all it takes to make ANZAC biscuits!
Note: Please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and the full detailed method
Step 1 - Combine The Dry Ingredients
Combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and coconut in a bowl. Mix together until well combined.
Step 2 - Stir Through The Wet Ingredients
Melt the butter, golden syrup and water in the microwave and then mix through the bi-carbonate soda.
Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
Step 3 - Bake
Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and place onto prepared baking paper lined trays.
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes for chewy ANZACS or 12-15 minutes for crunchy ANZACS.
Chewy Or Crunchy ANZAC Biscuits?
Personally I'm a chewy kind of ANZACS girl, but it's just as easy to make these biscuits crunchy (without even changing the recipe!).
For Chewy ANZACS
Bake in a 160 degree celsius oven for 10-12 minutes (depending on your oven). The biscuits will be soft when you take them out of the oven but will firm on cooling. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For Crunchy ANZACS
Cook for a further 3-5 minutes than the chewy recipe (total of 12-15 minutes). Again, the biscuits will be soft straight out of the oven but will go crunchy as they cool.
Expert Tips & FAQ
You can replace the golden syrup with corn syrup, honey or maple syrup.
ANZAC biscuits can be stored for several weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. They will soften after a few days (but are still absolutely delicious!).
Not at all! For chewy biscuits, cook for 10-12 minutes. For crunchy biscuits cook for 12-15 minutes.
Of course! This recipe is the classic recipe but it's also delicious with yummy add-ins.
Yes! Check out our Thermomix ANZAC biscuits recipe (along with the conventional recipe) in the recipe card below.
Freeze the unbaked dough in a sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze the baked biscuits for up to 1 month.
More ANZAC Recipes
Check out these delicious ANZAC inspired recipes:
- ANZAC Slice - love ANZAC biscuits but can't be bothered rolling the mixture into balls? This slice is the answer! Or you can change things up with my Chocolate Chip ANZAC Slice recipe.
- Almond & Chocolate Chip ANZAC Biscuits - a fun variation on the classic recipe! The almonds add an extra crunch while the chocolate chips give a delicious burst of sweetness.
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ANZAC Biscuits
Ingredients
- 110 g (1 cup) rolled oats
- 150 g 1 cup) plain flour
- 120 g (⅔ cup) brown sugar
- 70 g (⅔ cup) desiccated coconut
- 125 g butter
- 2 tbs golden syrup see recipe notes
- 2 tbs water
- ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease and line three flat baking trays with baking paper.
- Combine the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar and coconut in a bowl.
- Place butter, golden syrup and 2 tablespoons cold water into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 3 minutes, 50% power or until melted.
- Stir through the bicarbonate of soda.
- Pour the butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
- Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls.
- Place on trays, 5cm apart and flatten slightly.
- For chewy ANZACS, bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden. For crunchy ANZACS, increase cooking time to 12-15 minutes.
- Leave on the baking trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Thermomix Method
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius (fan-forced). Grease and line three flat baking trays with baking paper.
- Place the butter, golden syrup and brown sugar into the Thermomix bowl. Melt for 3 minutes, 100 degrees, Speed 2.
- Add the bicarbonate of soda and 2 tbs cold water to the melted butter mixture and mix for 10 seconds, Speed 3.
- Add the rolled oats, plain flour and coconut. Mix together for 40 seconds, Reverse, Speed 2.
- Roll level tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on trays, 5cm apart and flatten slightly.
- For chewy ANZACS, bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden. For crunchy ANZACS, increase cooking time to 12-15 minutes.
- Leave on the baking trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Karen
Mine did not flatten into biscuits... they still look like balls in the oven after 15 mins 🙁 what did I do wrong?
Lucy
If you'd like them flatter, roll them into balls and then press down lightly before baking.