Granola is a popular breakfast food that is often eaten with yogurt or milk. It's a great way to start your day, as it's high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. However, store-bought granola can be expensive and high in sugar. That's why making your own granola at home is a great idea, and this skillet granola recipe is the perfect place to start.
I'll talk about the benefits of making your own granola, the ingredients needed for skillet granola, and how to make it. I will also provide some tips for customizing the recipe to your liking!
Making Skillet Granola
Today I'm excited to be featuring Avril from Baking and Creating with Avril. I'm surprising her today as part of the Secret Recipe Club. Avril is an avid cooker and baker and enjoys crafting too. She has some amazing recipes on her site but today I'm featuring her skillet granola.
Today's skillet granola is a fun and easy recipe for those who love to get their granola on but don't want to heat up the house in the middle of the summer by using their oven. (I don't blame you!) This granola is done and ready in under 20 minutes and tastes just as delicious as the baked version.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 4 cups rolled oats (use old fashioned and you can substitute gluten free oats)
- 1 cup silvered almonds or chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 cup raisins
- ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped dates or chopped dried apricots (any or all of these)
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- In a skillet melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the honey or maple syrup, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, stirring until combined.
- Add the oats to the skillet and stir until oats are coated in the butter and sugar mixture. Continue cooking the mixture over low heat for 10-15 minutes until oats are toasted and browned. Add the nuts the last five minutes of cooking to toast.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the raisins and dried fruit. Allow granola to cool for several minutes before serving.
Benefits of Making Your Own Granola
Making your own granola at home has several benefits:
- It's cost-effective. Store-bought granola can be expensive, especially if you want a high-quality product. Making your own granola at home can save you money in the long run.
- You control the ingredients. Store-bought granola can be high in sugar and other unhealthy additives. Making your own granola allows you to control the amount of sugar and choose healthier ingredients.
- It's customizable. Making your own granola allows you to customize it to your taste preferences. You can add your favorite nuts, seeds, and spices to create a unique flavor profile.
Tips for Making Granola
- Add your favorite nuts and seeds to the mix. Try pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds.
- Use a different sweetener. Instead of honey, try maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Add dried fruit. Once the granola is cooled, stir in some raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates.
Granola is the Perfect Snack
Granola is fun to snack on and you just need a little bit to feel full. It's the perfect snack! If you're heading out on a hike or on the road, this is perfect to take along with some other allergy friendly hiking snacks. We made sure we had some on our recent trip. We were heading to a small town and were pleasantly surprised to find lot's of food that was gluten free Kanab Utah. You might also want to bring along some filling protein energy bites.
Lauren Everson
Pinning! Excellent pick this month and a perfect post for summer. Maybe to top yogurt? Or really, better yet, ice cream!
Avril Miller
So much fun to discover that you had my blog this past month!! Skillet Granola is simply the BEST! And definitely a yummy recipe for the "dog days of summer" as no oven heat is required! 🙂
SallyBR
i am definitely pinning this recipe! The idea of baking granola in our huge oven is a complete no-no for the Summer!
great idea! Loved it!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie
I have never tried skillet granola but it sounds like something I need to do!
susan @ the wimpy vegetarian
Love, love, love granola! What a great idea to cook in a skillet!
Melissa
I love that this doesn't heat up your house with the oven! I had planned on making granola yesterday and never got around to it, so maybe instead, I'll give this one a try. Great pick this month 🙂
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
Ooooh... I would never think to make granola in a skillet but how fun! I love how quick it cooks!
Rebekah @ Making Miracles
Yumm!! What a fun project - I have yet to make granola at home but every time I see it I wonder why that is! This looks like a great method to try out. Happy reveal day!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
This is perfect for the summer...Thanks for sharing it with us.
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories
What a great idea and what lovely photos Love the blue!
Emily @ Life on Food
Oh I love granola and I love making it. I haven't used a skillet version though. I am intrigued. Great pick!!
Asiya @ Chocolate & Chillies
Love granola and this looks really easy to make! Great SRC pick!
Couscous & Consciousness
Wow, this is such an awesomely cool idea. I love making my own granola, but I agree it can be a bit unpleasant heating up the oven in the middle of summer. I never would have thought to do it in a skillet, but it's absolutely brilliant and I will definitely be trying it.
Tara
Such a great summer recipe! It would be a perfect addition to our parfaits.
Patti
I'm a sucker for anything made in a skillet...pinned!
Amy @ Fearless Homemaker
This looks WONDERFUL and I love that you don't have to heat up your kitchen/the oven for it. Perfect!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast
I love this idea! Especially for summer, when I really don't want to turn on the oven. So yummy!