Spruce up your morning breakfast with this easy-to-follow recipe for homemade granola, ready in just 15 minutes. It's not only a great breakfast but a heart-healthy snack throughout the day.
Recently, we were visiting our friends and eating our way through Charleston, SC. The wife of our friends told me how she makes granola in her cast iron skillet. I thought, "That is such a quick and easy breakfast OR snack!" We never did have the chance to eat her homemade granola, because we were there for two short nights and decided to eat out for breakfast both mornings. Once we returned home, though, I had to give her recipe a try (or what I remembered of it)!
The base of this homemade granola is very easy and super versatile. You can use coconut oil instead of the butter, maple syrup instead of the honey, use different types of nuts and dried fruit, and use more or less of anything depending on how sweet and flavorful you want it. You can also add vanilla or other extracts to vamp it up. Play around with it and figure out what works for you!
For this recipe, I like to use Domino® Pourable Light Brown Sugar. Have you seen these new flip top containers on your grocery stores' shelves? The brown sugar is pourable, and measures cup for cup to traditional brown sugar without having to pack it. It doesn't harden or become clumpy and can sit out on the counter for easy-to-grab use for pouring over your cereal, oatmeal, fruit, coffee, etc. I love it!
I basically use about 2 tablespoons of this brown sugar in my granola recipe. It's never an exact measurement as I just sprinkle it right over top during the cooking process for more even coating. I tried to take a photo for you of it in action, although I had a hard time holding the camera and getting that even distribution of the sugar at the same time. You get the idea, though, right? 🙂
Such a super easy recipe, made right in your skillet! If you have a cast iron skillet, use it! If not, any other skillet will do. The smell is AMAZING! Even Judah came into the kitchen, "MOM! What smells so good!?" He enjoyed a bowl shortly after it was ready. When I make this granola, I like to let it sit out on the counter top for easy snacking through the day. Sprinkle it over yogurt or oatmeal, or eat it from a bowl with milk. Keep it in an airtight container and it will stay good for at least one week.
Speaking of the Domino® Pourable Light Brown Sugar above, did you also see their new flip top container for Domino® Quick Dissolve Superfine Sugar? We have this sitting right next to our coffee maker. It's perfect, especially for Ben, who only drinks iced coffee. The fine sugar crystals rapidly blend into both of our morning cups of coffee, and it's so easy to grab and pour! No longer do we have to use up spoons and make sure their dry before scooping. You know what I'm talking about! Ben was the biggest culprit of this! 😉
Now go make this granola for your next breakfast or snack! Send with your loved ones for their lunches or pack it up as a gift! The possibilities are endless!
15-Minute Skillet Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup raw whole almonds
- 1/4 cup raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the oats and cinnamon in a mixing bowl; set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the honey and stir with a wooden spoon. Pour in the cinnamon oats and toss to coat. Stir in the almonds and walnuts. Toast in the skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes; stir frequently.
- With the skillet over medium heat, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the oats and nuts. Add the cranberries and stir. Cook for 1-2 more minutes, or until the sugar is melted. (Stir frequently and be careful not to burn the mixture.)
- Remove from the heat and serve warm, or transfer to a wax paper lined baking sheet to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Freeze up to 1 month.
Claudia Davis says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Tabathia B says
I like using it in my sweet potato casserole
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
WHITNEY says
I love to put brown sugar in my oatmeal!
Denise L says
Making cinnamon rolls is my favorite way to use brown sugar.
angie says
I always use it in my homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe and it gives them that little extra umpf. LOL
Bert Ruiz says
tweeted twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/598876137993809920
Bert Ruiz says
I like brown sugar in my oatmeal.
Wanda McHenry says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in my Upside Down Pineapple Cake!
Aurelie Red says
My favorite way is using it in oatmeal and in cookies ♥
Thomas Murphy says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/598588529871028224
Thomas Murphy says
I like to use brown sugar on sweet potatoes.
ELIZABETH P says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/598501473006190593
ELIZABETH P says
My favorite way is using it in oatmeal. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com
Amanda Sakovitz says
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/598475633434501121
Amanda Sakovitz says
I like to use it with sweet potatoes
patricia c says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to make gingerbread body scrub
Quinlan726(at)aol(dot)com
patricia c says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/crunchycolletti/status/598244149054189568?s=09
Quinlan726(at)aol(dot)com
Margot C says
I posted a tweet too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/598004259427258368
Margot C says
I use brown sugar in most of my cookie recipes; it's gives cookies a nice flavor and finish.
Rebecca Graham says
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/597669721979355137
Rebecca Graham says
Oatmeal is good with brown sugar on it.
Kerry says
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/597560865152507904
Kerry says
One of my favorite ways to use brown sugar is in monkey bread!
ANGEL JACKLYN says
2ND ENTRY TWITTER https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/597251938523029504
ANGEL JACKLYN says
BROWN SUGAR CHEWIES! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/brown-sugar-chewies-recipe.html
Anne says
I shared your must-make skillet granola recipe and the Domino's giveaway on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/597173244626604033
Thank you!
Anne says
Brown sugar works its way into a lot of my baked goods, but I think my favorite way to let it shine is in blondies. Brown sugar melted together with butter? Yes, please!
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/596941948335730689
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to add them in my chocolate chip cookies. The brown sugar will yield a nice chewy texture.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
Ellie Wright says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/596843882731556864
Ellie Wright says
I like to use brown sugar and sweet onions to make baked beans. My family loves them.
Lauren E. says
I like using brown sugar to make chocolate chip cookies
Samantha Daleo says
TWEET!!
https://twitter.com/samdaleo/status/596090100401963008
Samantha Daleo says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle some on my bacon right before baking it...YUM!!!
OFG says
In sweet potato casserole!
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
OFG says
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/596048778106376194
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
Stephanie Phelps says
I love to use brown sugar to make pineapple upside down cake!
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/595403154172293121
latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/595260451312762880
latanya says
on sweet potatoes
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/595036262739877890
Gina M says
tweet--https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/594977960660197378
Gina M says
I love using it in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/594976852776775680
Susan Smith says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it over my oatmeal in the morning.
c. wagner says
I like to use brown sugar in homemade baked beans.
ali says
clever idea to make granola in a skillet... i'll have to try it..... with brown sugar 🙂
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/593602619546951681
Robin says
Brown sugar is so good in cookie recipes!
Mildred says
It is difficult to limit it to only one favorite use, but I will choose using brown sugar in cookie baking from scratch, especially chocolate chip cookie baking..
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/592853704501526530
Anna Pry says
i tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily2/status/592713489946431492 [email protected]
Anna Pry says
i use brown sugar, butter and oats as a topping for fruit crisp [email protected]
Barb says
In a water bath for homemade bagels
Nikki says
I always use brown sugar in my pancakes
Lethea B says
Here's a link to my extra entry tweet=)
https://twitter.com/Luvdaylilies/status/592467953238474752
Lethea B says
I love using brown sugar for my morning hot cereal, yum!
maria cantu says
I use it in my oatmeal.
laura ari says
I like to use brown sugar on baked apples.
Jeffrey says
I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/592108296582131712.
Jeffrey says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is added to sweet potato casserole, the ultimate side dish!
Alaina Rogacki says
I LOVE to put brown sugar in the slowcooker with some honey and chicken. Delicious!
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591804695980675072
Kimmy Ripley says
I have to use brown sugar in my cookies! I like to use a mix of dark and light.
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591430371453054977
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591068981928288256
sarah k says
I tweeted also:) https://twitter.com/sarabird26/status/590971614809862147
sarah k says
I like to use brown sugar in oatmeal, on toast with butter, in bbq sloppy joe type recipe and in some cakes and cookies it gives a different taste then white sugar which I like.
jessica w says
I tweeted too https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/590903509622661121
Meagan says
My favorite way to use brown sugar - as a (not so) secret ingredient in my red sauce!
jessica w says
lately I have loved it in this recipe https://warfieldfamily.com/2012/01/mcdonalds-maple-brown-sugar-and-fruit-oatmeal-copycat/
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/590704871768203264
Rebecca says
We love brown sugar in oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies!
Karissa says
I like to use brown sugar in my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
Camiele says
I like to use brown sugar in my sweet potato pies!
Cindy says
https://twitter.com/benz1171/status/589712406055669761
Cindy says
I microwave mochi with butter. I put kinako mixed with brown sugar on top of the mochi.
Julie Armel says
I like to use it in a glaze for ham.
amy pugmire says
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/589046001165467648
amy pugmire says
I use it in my homemade oatmeal! love brown sugar!
courtney b says
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/588956068748926976
courtney b says
my favorite way to use brown sugar is to make poppyseed muffins!!
Thanks so much for the chance!!! xoxoxo
tina m says
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/588871931123920897
tina m says
I like to use it on sweet potato.
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/588517188434268160
Michelle says
I love to use brown sugar for fruit crisps and crumbles!
sheila says
Granola in a skillet!! What a great idea.
I love brown sugar so much, I often use only brown sugar in my cookie recipes!
And speaking of sugar in coffee...when we were in Puerto Rico I learned to love brown sugar in my coffee!
Christi D says
I love to use brown sugar for Honey Bourbon-Glazed Salmon.
rachel says
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!! Love it.
Jessica says
I use it in a pumpkin muffin recipe.
mysweetiepiepie says
I like to use brown sugar to make peanut butter cookies.
Faye D says
I love to use brown sugar in my chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Sherri says
I like to use it in cookies.
Jennai says
I use brown suagr to make Brown Sugar Pie! We all love it!
Jessie C. says
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/587448278150582272
Jessie C. says
I like to use it to make brown sugar pecan cookies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/587428825706790912
Linda says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/587369404658135040
Linda says
I love it in my oatmeal.
Erika says
Making peanut butter cookies for my dad- they're his favorite. 🙂
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/587088201711542272
Kristen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/587016744952168448
Kristen says
I like to use brown sugar to make oatmeal cookies with white chips and dried cranberries.
Sarah Scott says
Skilly granola?!! Talk about an EASY way to be HEALTHY! This is my new favorite way to use brown sugar, without a doubt.
https://twitter.com/SarahScandal/status/586615659624292353
Julie says
I brown sugar and strawberries
Laura H says
https://twitter.com/LauraBessy/status/586252800285376512
Laura H says
I love putting lots and lots of brown sugar into chocolate cookies.
Barbara Youngren says
I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/beebo2000/status/586001045353926657
Barbara Youngren says
I use brown sugar all the time, but can't imagine not having it in my Brown Butter Chocolate/White Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Rachel Tilly says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in chocolate chip cookies. Yum!!
Sharyl Wolter says
https://twitter.com/sharylmk1/status/585989734960209920
Sharyl Wolter says
Brown sugar and cinnamon rolls go hand in hand!
Amy S says
I love using brown sugar in chocolate chip cookies!
Nicole Dziedzic says
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/585956482467790848
Nicole Dziedzic says
I use brown sugar to make brown sugar bread pudding with caramel-sauce.
Katie H says
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/585950997866029056
Heather B says
I use brown sugar to make a glaze to pour over my salmon when I bake it.
Stephanie-Oh says
https://twitter.com/StephanieZ1952/status/585795302533173249
I tweeted about giveaway.
Stephanie-Oh says
I use brown sugar for baking in cookies, cakes, pecan pie, yummy coating on ham, baked beans, sweet potatoes too many more ways to make life yummy!
Jenny says
A spoonful straight from the bag to my mouth! 😮
Heather Taylor says
Chocolate Chip Cookies for the win!
April was in CT now CA says
Always have it in my oatmeal!
Ruby Miller says
I make a quick sauce of brown sugar and butter to pour over baked sweet potatoes.
Katie says
I use it in my oatmeal muffins.
heather says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is on baked ham.
Shawna S says
Brown sugar pancake syrup
carol clark says
i add it to oatmeal and bread sometimes when i do cook bread
MaryB says
I love to make brown sugar meringue.
Dana says
I like to u se it in oatmeal.
stephanie says
I like to use brown sugar in my cinnamon rolls! Thank you! 🙂
Lise says
I love using brown sugar to make caramel rolls.
Melissa says
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/lapdogsmom/status/585473873719721986
Melissa says
I like to use brown sugar in my baked sweet potatoes.
Frankie says
I like to bake pork chops with sauerkraut, bbq sauce and brown sugar.
Gaby says
I use brown sugar almost every morning in my oatmeal
daniela says
I love brown sugar in oatmeal
Angie Jerde says
Brown sugar on sweet potatoes is always a nice treat or added to chili! Thanks for the giveaway : )
Alessandra says
I love it in chocolate chip cookies!
sharonjo says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/585452518810882048
sharonjo says
I sprinkle brown sugar on my oatmeal.
libby says
I love a little brown sugar in my coffee every morning
Stephanie says
i like to make baked sweet potatoes
Nicole S. says
Love to add brown sugar to breakfast items!
Alison H. says
I tweeted https://twitter.com/sockmonkeydiva/status/585435267705671681
Alison H. says
I love brown sugar on my cinnamon toast!
Marsha A. says
I use brown sugar when I roast winter squash
Lauren J. says
Brown sugar goes best in apple crisp! One of my favorite desserts!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I love making homemade granola - never thought to do it in the skillet! Genius!
Lisa Brown says
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/585420177333813248
Lisa Brown says
i like to use it in chocolate chip cookies
melissa h says
in chocolate chip cookies!
Carly says
Here is my twitter link: https://twitter.com/CarlaayMM/status/585404731528351744
Carly says
I like to use brown sugar in my oatmeal 🙂
Donna says
Brown sugar and granola! What a treat!
Dorothy says
Couldn't make my family's favorite ginger snaps without brown sugar! Thanks for this granola recipe. Can't wait to try it...
Nicole O. says
I like to use brown sugar to make chocolate chip cookies!! YUM
sara says
tweeted https://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/585286528852561920?lang=en
sara says
In chocolate chip cookies.
Danielle H says
I like to use brown sugar to make my chocolate chip cookies nice and soft!
Wehaf says
I love brown sugar topping on apple crisp!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
I love to bake with brown sugar! Esp. in cookies 😀
iamalighthouse says
I've tweeted! https://twitter.com/MunchTalks/status/585275280433913858
iamalighthouse says
I love using it in cookies!!
Jordan D. says
Brown sugar in oatmeal is the best! A little goes a long way, and makes it ultra yummy!
Tracy Robertson says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/tracylr233/status/585266411955585025
Tracy Robertson says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Madeline says
I like to use brown sugar in baked pumpkin pudding.
RJ says
I sprinkle brown sugar on top of fresh strawberries with sour cream. The brown sugar melts into the sour cream for the most amazing taste! So delicious--you must try!!!
Kristin t says
I sprinkle some on my sweet potatoes!
Bianca @ Sweet Dreaming says
for baking!
Betsy Barnes says
My tweet -- https://twitter.com/bbdream34/status/585199217892843521 🙂
Betsy Barnes says
One of my favorite ways to use brown sugar is in DIY facial scrub. I add some raw honey with the brown sugar, makes a very nice scrub. 🙂
Jessica To says
I like brown sugar for icing on cinnamon rolls.
Lily Sheng says
Here's my tweet: https://twitter.com/pic_links/status/585191859858857984 and thanks for the giveaway!
Mami2jcn says
tweet--https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/585191815097229312
Mami2jcn says
I like brown sugar on oatmeal.
Lily Sheng says
My favorite way to use brown sugar isn’t really in food though, it’s a homemade scrub for exfoliating hands!
Rachel says
Lately I've been using brown sugar to make broiled grapefruit. It's delicious!
Sue gladd says
Brown sugar and a dab of butter on sweet potatoes!
steve weber says
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/585175342790377472
steve weber says
My favorite is to use it in my malt-o-meal.
Shaina says
I love using brown sugar in cookie recipes. It produces such a deep flavor and makes the cookies nice and chewy!
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/585158270542860289
Natalie says
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it over my oatmeal. It makes it so much better!
Julie Wood says
Tweet entry
https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/585145069394665472
Julie Wood says
I love making my Brown Sugar Blondies! They are so delicious.
Rosie says
my favorite way to use brown sugar is in Asian sauces - esp General Tso's Chicken!!
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/585140227360030720
Kelly D says
I like to use brown sugar to make a cinnamon swirl bread.
Elena says
I like to bake sweet potatoes with brown sugar
vaishali says
great recipe
Sandy Headtke says
Love brown sugar in my BBQ rubs and sauce