Cranberry Pecan Spiced Skillet Granola

December 21, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 160 Comments

Bring the scents of cozy warmth and cheer to you home by making this stove-top cranberry pecan spicy skillet granola. Gluten-free and vegan, the perfect healthy treat to munch on, morning, noon, or night!

When the random granola–making–craving hits, that’s just what a girl has to do. I found myself last week in need to some granola making, not just to replenish my stock, but also to just relax and enjoy one of my favorite past times of granola baking. However, instead of using the oven this time, I made my granola in my lovely new cast iron skillet! (I actually made a different granola recipe with the skillet a few weeks ago, but I decided to share this one first). My new cast iron that I got 2 months ago finally gets its debut on the blog!

I am obsessed with this lovely skillet! Cast iron is life changing! You can make anything and everything in it. So far that’s been chicken, breads, granola, and simple roasting. Maybe it’s all psychological, but I have to agree with everyone when they rave about how good things taste when made in a cast iron! If you don’t have one (I never did before this), you must get one! Last minute addition to the Christmas list perhaps? Or you can buy one with any gift cards you get! The one I decided on was the Lodge L8SK Pre-Seasoned (10.25 inch) Skillet. There are a bunch of other size options too, but I feel like 10 inch – 12 inch is the perfect size for what most people need.

So far, I am very pleased with my choice and I’m kicking myself for not buying one sooner! So worth it! Anyway, you know how I said I wanted to try granola in the slow cooker, that hasn’t happened yet, but I think the cast iron is going to be my go-to way from now on! The flavor is incredible and I think it tastes even better than if you put it in the oven. It’s also easier to get it crispy without burning it. You can add things if need be, stir it easily, and cooks up a bit quicker too. The best part? You still get the wonderful smell of baking granola and spices, seeping all throughout the house! This granola in particular makes the home smell like a Christmas winter wonderland!

How did I achieve the Christmas/winter love and hugs smell? It’s all in the spices! O, and maybe the cranberries and pecans had something to do with it too! When you combine cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves, you can’t get more wintery! I also cooking the granola with 2 whole cinnamon sticks to add even more flavor (you take them out once it’s done). I may have stood at the stove stirring and breathing in this granola much more than was necessary, but that’s what winter weekend “baking” is all about…right?

Now, I’m just going to take a wild guess here and say you’ll be either going to someone’s house this week or having someone over? Yes? Since Christmas is, you know, this Friday! If you don’t celebrate Christmas, I’m assuming you celebrate New Years (obviously, we all do!) So either way, this granola needs to happen on your stove. If you’re having people over, you should make it before they arrive so the house smells wonderful and you’ll have a sweet snack to serve. If you’re going to someone’s house, you should make some to gift to show your love and gratitude to the host!

But you can’t forget to make some for yourself either. That would be a tragedy! A great granola tragedy!

One more note about this fabulous granola before I reveal the recipe. I used freeze-fried cranberries! I saw them in the store and just had to buy some, knowing full well they would be used for granola. I’m sure you can use unsweetened dried cranberries if that’s all you have, but I urge you to look for the freeze-dried! They are the indicator for telling when the granola is just right!

Cranberry Pecan Spiced Skillet Granola