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.
Love brown sugar in my BBQ rubs and sauce
https://mobile.twitter.com/SandyHeadtke/status/585120936053080064
great recipe
I like to bake sweet potatoes with brown sugar
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/585138488259010563
I like to use brown sugar to make a cinnamon swirl bread.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/585140227360030720
my favorite way to use brown sugar is in Asian sauces – esp General Tso’s Chicken!!
I love making my Brown Sugar Blondies! They are so delicious.
Tweet entry
https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/585145069394665472
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it over my oatmeal. It makes it so much better!
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/585158270542860289
I love using brown sugar in cookie recipes. It produces such a deep flavor and makes the cookies nice and chewy!
My favorite is to use it in my malt-o-meal.
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/585175342790377472
Brown sugar and a dab of butter on sweet potatoes!
Lately I’ve been using brown sugar to make broiled grapefruit. It’s delicious!
My favorite way to use brown sugar isn’t really in food though, it’s a homemade scrub for exfoliating hands!
I like brown sugar on oatmeal.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/585191815097229312
Here’s my tweet: https://twitter.com/pic_links/status/585191859858857984 and thanks for the giveaway!
I like brown sugar for icing on cinnamon rolls.
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. 🙂
My tweet — https://twitter.com/bbdream34/status/585199217892843521 🙂
for baking!
I sprinkle some on my sweet potatoes!
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!!!
I like to use brown sugar in baked pumpkin pudding.
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/tracylr233/status/585266411955585025
Brown sugar in oatmeal is the best! A little goes a long way, and makes it ultra yummy!
I love using it in cookies!!
I’ve tweeted! https://twitter.com/MunchTalks/status/585275280433913858
I love to bake with brown sugar! Esp. in cookies 😀
I love brown sugar topping on apple crisp!
I like to use brown sugar to make my chocolate chip cookies nice and soft!
In chocolate chip cookies.
tweeted https://twitter.com/SaraMama/status/585286528852561920?lang=en
I like to use brown sugar to make chocolate chip cookies!! YUM
Couldn’t make my family’s favorite ginger snaps without brown sugar! Thanks for this granola recipe. Can’t wait to try it…
Brown sugar and granola! What a treat!
I like to use brown sugar in my oatmeal 🙂
Here is my twitter link: https://twitter.com/CarlaayMM/status/585404731528351744
in chocolate chip cookies!
i like to use it in chocolate chip cookies
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/585420177333813248
I love making homemade granola – never thought to do it in the skillet! Genius!
Brown sugar goes best in apple crisp! One of my favorite desserts!
I use brown sugar when I roast winter squash
I love brown sugar on my cinnamon toast!
I tweeted https://twitter.com/sockmonkeydiva/status/585435267705671681
Love to add brown sugar to breakfast items!
i like to make baked sweet potatoes
I love a little brown sugar in my coffee every morning
I sprinkle brown sugar on my oatmeal.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/585452518810882048
I love it in chocolate chip cookies!
Brown sugar on sweet potatoes is always a nice treat or added to chili! Thanks for the giveaway : )
I love brown sugar in oatmeal
I use brown sugar almost every morning in my oatmeal
I like to bake pork chops with sauerkraut, bbq sauce and brown sugar.
I like to use brown sugar in my baked sweet potatoes.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/lapdogsmom/status/585473873719721986
I love using brown sugar to make caramel rolls.
I like to use brown sugar in my cinnamon rolls! Thank you! 🙂
I like to u se it in oatmeal.
I love to make brown sugar meringue.
i add it to oatmeal and bread sometimes when i do cook bread
Brown sugar pancake syrup
My favorite way to use brown sugar is on baked ham.
I use it in my oatmeal muffins.
I make a quick sauce of brown sugar and butter to pour over baked sweet potatoes.
Always have it in my oatmeal!
Chocolate Chip Cookies for the win!
A spoonful straight from the bag to my mouth! 😮
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!
https://twitter.com/StephanieZ1952/status/585795302533173249
I tweeted about giveaway.
I use brown sugar to make a glaze to pour over my salmon when I bake it.
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/585950997866029056
I use brown sugar to make brown sugar bread pudding with caramel-sauce.
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/585956482467790848
I love using brown sugar in chocolate chip cookies!
Brown sugar and cinnamon rolls go hand in hand!
https://twitter.com/sharylmk1/status/585989734960209920
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in chocolate chip cookies. Yum!!
I use brown sugar all the time, but can’t imagine not having it in my Brown Butter Chocolate/White Chocolate Chip Cookies!
I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/beebo2000/status/586001045353926657
I love putting lots and lots of brown sugar into chocolate cookies.
https://twitter.com/LauraBessy/status/586252800285376512
I brown sugar and strawberries
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
I like to use brown sugar to make oatmeal cookies with white chips and dried cranberries.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/587016744952168448
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/587088201711542272
Making peanut butter cookies for my dad- they’re his favorite. 🙂
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
I love it in my oatmeal.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Lindiac/status/587369404658135040
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/587428825706790912
I like to use it to make brown sugar pecan cookies.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/587448278150582272
I use brown suagr to make Brown Sugar Pie! We all love it!
I like to use it in cookies.
I love to use brown sugar in my chocolate chip cookie recipe.
I like to use brown sugar to make peanut butter cookies.
I use it in a pumpkin muffin recipe.
Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!!! Love it.
I love to use brown sugar for Honey Bourbon-Glazed Salmon.
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!
I love to use brown sugar for fruit crisps and crumbles!
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/588517188434268160
I like to use it on sweet potato.
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/588871931123920897
my favorite way to use brown sugar is to make poppyseed muffins!!
Thanks so much for the chance!!! xoxoxo
tweet
https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/588956068748926976
I use it in my homemade oatmeal! love brown sugar!
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/589046001165467648
I like to use it in a glaze for ham.
I microwave mochi with butter. I put kinako mixed with brown sugar on top of the mochi.
https://twitter.com/benz1171/status/589712406055669761
I like to use brown sugar in my sweet potato pies!
I like to use brown sugar in my oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
We love brown sugar in oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies!
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/590704871768203264
lately I have loved it in this recipe https://warfieldfamily.com/2012/01/mcdonalds-maple-brown-sugar-and-fruit-oatmeal-copycat/
My favorite way to use brown sugar – as a (not so) secret ingredient in my red sauce!
I tweeted too https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/590903509622661121
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.
I tweeted also:) https://twitter.com/sarabird26/status/590971614809862147
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591068981928288256
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591430371453054977
I have to use brown sugar in my cookies! I like to use a mix of dark and light.
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/591804695980675072
I LOVE to put brown sugar in the slowcooker with some honey and chicken. Delicious!
My favorite way to use brown sugar is added to sweet potato casserole, the ultimate side dish!
I posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/592108296582131712.
I like to use brown sugar on baked apples.
I use it in my oatmeal.
I love using brown sugar for my morning hot cereal, yum!
Here’s a link to my extra entry tweet=)
https://twitter.com/Luvdaylilies/status/592467953238474752
I always use brown sugar in my pancakes
In a water bath for homemade bagels
i use brown sugar, butter and oats as a topping for fruit crisp pryfamily5@gmail.com
i tweeted https://twitter.com/thepryfamily2/status/592713489946431492 pryfamily5@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/592853704501526530
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..
Brown sugar is so good in cookie recipes!
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/593602619546951681
clever idea to make granola in a skillet… i’ll have to try it….. with brown sugar 🙂
I like to use brown sugar in homemade baked beans.
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle it over my oatmeal in the morning.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/594976852776775680
I love using it in my homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/594977960660197378
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/595036262739877890
on sweet potatoes
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/595260451312762880
https://twitter.com/GFreeKatie/status/595403154172293121
I love to use brown sugar to make pineapple upside down cake!
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/596048778106376194
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
In sweet potato casserole!
onefrugalgirl AT gmail DOT com
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to sprinkle some on my bacon right before baking it…YUM!!!
TWEET!!
https://twitter.com/samdaleo/status/596090100401963008
I like using brown sugar to make chocolate chip cookies
I like to use brown sugar and sweet onions to make baked beans. My family loves them.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/596843882731556864
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
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/596941948335730689
amy [at] utry [dot] it
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!
I shared your must-make skillet granola recipe and the Domino’s giveaway on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/597173244626604033
Thank you!
BROWN SUGAR CHEWIES! https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/brown-sugar-chewies-recipe.html
2ND ENTRY TWITTER https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/597251938523029504
One of my favorite ways to use brown sugar is in monkey bread!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/597560865152507904
Oatmeal is good with brown sugar on it.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rhoneygee/status/597669721979355137
I use brown sugar in most of my cookie recipes; it’s gives cookies a nice flavor and finish.
I posted a tweet too: https://twitter.com/AnnaZed/status/598004259427258368
Tweet: https://twitter.com/crunchycolletti/status/598244149054189568?s=09
Quinlan726(at)aol(dot)com
My favorite way to use brown sugar is to make gingerbread body scrub
Quinlan726(at)aol(dot)com
I like to use it with sweet potatoes
tweet
https://twitter.com/aes529/status/598475633434501121
My favorite way is using it in oatmeal. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/598501473006190593
I like to use brown sugar on sweet potatoes.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/598588529871028224
My favorite way is using it in oatmeal and in cookies ♥
My tweet https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/598608768138620929
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in my Upside Down Pineapple Cake!
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/598738650340417536
I like brown sugar in my oatmeal.
tweeted twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/598876137993809920
I always use it in my homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe and it gives them that little extra umpf. LOL
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/598893122966401024
Making cinnamon rolls is my favorite way to use brown sugar.
I love to put brown sugar in my oatmeal!
I sent out a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/598981605567270914
I like using it in my sweet potato casserole
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/598984823068307456
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
My favorite way to use brown sugar is in oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
https://twitter.com/davisesq212/status/600420004736147456