A simple and scalable methodology called “flake powder metallurgy” (flake PM) has been developed to fabricate biomimetic Al₂O₃/Al composites. Nanoflake Al powders with native Al₂O₃ skins were used as building blocks to rapidly assemble into biomimetic nanolaminated structures via compacting and extrusion, giving rise to strong and ductile composites with tensile strength of 262 MPa and plasticity of 22.9%. Thus, it is evidenced that well-balanced strength and ductility can be achieved in biomimetic metal–matrix composites by flake PM.