Skillet Granola

Granola is an excellent option for a healthy and energetic breakfast. Here I describe how to prepare skillet granola, which is an alternative method to the oven and 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 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
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup of dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, date or fig pieces), 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, for 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 well golden and fragrant.
4. Reduce the heat, incorporate the honey or maple syrup, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients and to allow the granola to caramelize slightly. This should take about 2 minutes.
5. If using dried fruit, add it in the last minute of cooking to warm it and blend with the other ingredients.
6. Remove the pan from the 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.

Fun Fact

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