These Easy Afghan Biscuits are rich, crunchy, chocolatey, and completely irresistible. Made with cocoa, cornflakes, and topped with smooth chocolate icing and walnuts, they’re a classic old-fashioned biscuit recipe loved across Australia and New Zealand.

With their signature crunchy texture and simple pantry ingredients, Afghan Biscuits are perfect for afternoon tea, lunchboxes, bake sales, or homemade gifts. Best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make.

If you love nostalgic baking recipes that never go out of style, these classic chocolate cornflake biscuits deserve a spot in your recipe collection.

Why You’ll Love These Afghan Biscuits

• Rich chocolate flavour
• Delicious crunchy texture
• Easy pantry ingredients
• Perfect with tea or coffee
• Freezer friendly
• Classic family favourite
• Simple beginner-friendly recipe
• Great for lunchboxes and baking days

Ingredient Notes

Cornflakes

Cornflakes give Afghan Biscuits their iconic crunchy texture. Don’t crush them too finely — you want some crunch remaining in every bite.

Cocoa Powder

Use good-quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavour.

Walnuts

Traditional Afghan Biscuits are topped with a walnut half, but you can leave them off if preferred.

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Afghan Biscuits

Recipe by Stay at Home Mum

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AsianDifficulty: Medium

Servings

Adjust servings

+

–

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 200 gram Softened Butter

• .50 cup Caster sugar

• .25 cup Cocoa

• 1 1/4 cups Plain flour

• 2 cups Cornflakes

• Icing

• 2 cups Icing sugar

• 1 tbsp Cocoa

• 1 tbsp Softened Butter

• Walnuts Halves-For Decorating

Directions

• Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy.
• Stir in the flour, cocoa and then mix in the cornflakes.
• Put spoonfuls of mixture on a lined baking tray and bake in oven for 15 minutes.
• In a bowl place sifted icing sugar, cocoa with the butter and beat until thick consistency.
• If too thick add a little water.
• Ice the Afghan biscuits and place a walnut on top of each.

Equipment

• 
  Anchor Hocking Glass Mixing BowlView here
• 
  White Marble Cake DomeView here
• 
  Wiltshire Easy Bake Slice Panview here

Notes

• Afghan biscuits are suitable for freezing up to 2 months

Tips for Perfect Afghan Biscuits

Don’t Crush the Cornflakes Too Much

Large flakes create the classic crunchy texture Afghan Biscuits are famous for.

Allow Biscuits to Cool Completely

Warm biscuits can cause the icing to melt and slide off.

Use Softened Butter

Soft butter helps create a smoother biscuit dough.

Avoid Overbaking

The biscuits will continue firming up as they cool.

Why Are They Called Afghan Biscuits?

Despite the name, Afghan Biscuits are believed to have originated in New Zealand and have become popular across Australia as well.

The exact origin of the name is unclear, but the biscuits are known for their dark chocolate colour and crunchy texture.

Today, they remain a classic old-fashioned recipe often served with tea or coffee.

Variations and Substitutions

Extra Chocolate Afghan Biscuits

Add chocolate chips for even more chocolate flavour.

Gluten-Free Afghan Biscuits

Use gluten-free cornflakes and gluten-free plain flour.

Nut-Free Version

Simply leave off the walnut topping.

Crunchy Deluxe Version

Add chopped walnuts or crushed biscuits into the dough for extra crunch.

How to Store Afghan Biscuits

Store Afghan Biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze them for up to 2 months.

For best texture, store the biscuits in a cool, dry place.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Afghan Biscuits?

Afghan Biscuits are crunchy chocolate cornflake biscuits traditionally topped with chocolate icing and walnuts.

Why are Afghan Biscuits crunchy?

They get their signature crunch from cornflakes folded through the biscuit dough.

Can Afghan Biscuits be frozen?

Yes. Afghan Biscuits freeze very well for up to 2 months.

Can I make Afghan Biscuits without walnuts?

Absolutely. The walnuts are traditional but optional.

Are Afghan Biscuits Australian or New Zealand?

Afghan Biscuits are widely believed to have originated in New Zealand but are also very popular in Australia.

More Classic Baking Recipes

If you loved these Afghan Biscuits, try:

• Anzac Biscuits
• Traditional Weetbix Slice
• Easy Apricot Balls Recipe
• Traditional Pavlova Recipe
• Lattice Cheesecake Slice

Final Thoughts

These Easy Afghan Biscuits are proof that simple old-fashioned recipes are often the very best.

Crunchy, chocolatey, and topped with smooth icing and walnuts, they’re the kind of homemade biscuit that instantly feels nostalgic and comforting.

Perfect for lunchboxes, afternoon tea, or sharing with family and friends, this classic recipe is guaranteed to become a favourite.

Kate Carlile

Kate brings sexy back to the office as our Administration Manager and all-round most loveliest lady in the world. She is super Mum to four and the SAHM office would literally fall apart without her. Her dream is to colour the world purple whilst travelling around it in a lavender Winnebago!

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