Skillet Granola

Granola is an excellent option for a healthy and energetic breakfast. Here I describe how to make skillet granola, which is an alternative to the oven method and is relatively quick.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 1/2 cup of walnuts or almonds (or a combination of both), chopped
• 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup of dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, or figs), optional

Preparation

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the coconut oil or olive oil.
2. Once the oil is hot, add the rolled oats and toast them, stirring frequently, until they start to lightly brown, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chopped walnuts or almonds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, and continue cooking, stirring often, for another 3-5 minutes, until the mixture is nicely browned and fragrant.
4. Reduce the heat, stir in the honey or maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine all the ingredients and to allow the granola to caramelize slightly. This should take about 2 minutes.
5. If you are using dried fruit, add it in the last minute of cooking to warm it and combine it with the other ingredients.
6. Remove the skillet from heat and let the granola cool. It will harden as it cools.
7. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Curiosità

This skillet cooking method is very practical if you want to prepare a smaller amount of granola or if you want to have direct control over the toasting of each ingredient. You can customize your granola by adding other seeds, such as chia or flaxseeds, or spices, like nutmeg or ground ginger, depending on your preferences or what you have available. Granola can be enjoyed with yogurt, milk, or as a snack on its own.