Minty, chocolatey, and made right on the stove in the cast iron skillet! A Mint Chocolate Skillet Granola recipe that’s gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, and allergy-free! Perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or dessert topping!
What screams “holiday joy!” to me? Skillet granola! More accurately, mint chocolate skillet granola! This may have to become a yearly seasonal tradition! Last year I shared my cranberry pecan skillet granola, but I never got a chance to share this mint chocolate one I made at the same time and so I’ve been waiting anxiously for a year! It was one of my favorite granola recipes too! The unfairness, I know!
My obsession with cast iron skillets has become even more apparent, hasn’t it? I never even realized how many recipes I had to share that use the big ole’ iron! Granola is just another one of its secret talents! There’s nothing a cast iron skillet can’t do…except maybe make some marshmallow fluff! But, I bet I’ll find a way around that eventually 😉 I’ve been tossing around the idea of changing the name of Strength and Sunshine to Strength and Skillet! (Joking…maybe).
Cast iron skillets are meant to be durable, strong, and everlasting. So it does make sense for Strength and Sunshine. I can’t neglect the true reason as to why I love making granola in the cast iron, though. It’s so easy! No need to turn the oven on, you can even mix up your granola right in the skillet and not dirty an extra bowl if you’re really feeling like a minimalist! Making granola in the skillet seems more intimate and cozy. You’re right these with the granola and see the whole process from beginning to end.
That leads me to one of life’s biggest questions. Is it “baking” granola if you make it on the stove in the skillet or is it simply “making”? If you use the word “making” it just drains the magic out of that weekend granola tradition. Maybe it’s “sauteing” or perhaps a granola stir-fry! That’s it! Stir-fry some granola this weekend for a festive treat! This reminds me of my feelings toward pancakes too. I always feel like pancakes should be listed under baked goods, but they’re not baked (unless you’re making a Dutch baby!)
The nuances of cooking and baking that none of us will ever fully understand! Do we really need to when we have some yummy mint chocolate skillet granola on our hands? This granola is more than just minty and chocoalety. I used some fancy raw cacao chips, chocolate mint tea, sunflower seeds, and sunflower butter for a mimicked “buttery” taste and texture. This granola literally melts in your mouth!
It is a great one to give as a gift this holiday season, that’s for sure! I did so last year along with my other skillet granola. And like I always say, granola, any granola, is a fantastic, quick, and easy gift to give! Even if you have a few hours before you need to bring a gift to someone…just revert to granola! It’s so heartfelt and the recipient will think you took so much loveing time and care (which you did….just it didn’t actually require that much effort or time!)
I just had a great idea pop into my head! While everyone is throwing cookie exchange parties or cookies decorating parties…why not have a granola “making” party?! You know how much fun granola is to make and the endless add-ins and variations, even cooking methods you can use! Set up a granola bar: bowls of oats, puffed cereals, sweets like chocolate chips and freeze-dried fruits, nuts, seeds, sweeteners, etc. I need to do this! I’ll be sending you an invitation soon 😉 Just bring at least one add-in and I think this would be the new “thing” of 2017!
Mint Chocolate Skillet Granola
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
- 1 Cup Puffed Millet
- ¼ Cup Unsalted Sunflower Seeds
- 2 TB Cacao Wafers (about 8 large chips)
- 2 TB Mint Chocolate Stevia Syrup
- 2 TB Sunflower Seed Butter
- 2 TB Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 Chocolate Mint Tea Bag (cut and contents poured in as spice)
- ½ Tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
- 1 TB Water (as needed if the granola begins to stick)
- In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients to thoroughly coat everything.
- Heat a greased large cast iron skillet over high heat to warm before the granola goes in (about 3 minutes).
- Once hot, add the granola and reduce heat to medium, stirring occasionally until the cacao wafers have melted and the oats become toasted (about 10-15 minutes).
- Remove from heat and let cool before storing in a sealed container or bag.
I’ll be working on a post now on how to throw a granola party….just you wait! I’m not one for parties, but if we’re making granola? I think I’ll gladly attend! I hope you enjoy this Mint Chocolate Skillet Granola in the meantime and share it with your friends and loved ones over the holiday season!
So tell me:
+ Do you associate sweet recipes with baking…even if you aren’t baking anything?
+ Want to come to my granola party?
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Mint Chocolate Granola sounds awesome as does the idea of a granola exchange party! I’d totally show up 🙂
It would be a real nifty idea 😉
Hi Rebecca,
Sounds like the perfect recipe for the holidays – the mint & chocolate. Granola is always such a great snack and this recipe sounds so healthy.
Marla recently posted…“The Beans and the Bees: Guide to Growing and Multiplying Your Beans through Bee Pollination!”
It sure is!
You can make granola in a skillet?! What what? That is pretty awesome!
This sounds seriously awesome – I can’t wait to try it.
“While everyone is throwing cookie exchange parties or cookies decorating parties…why not have a granola “making” party?!”
GENIUS! My vegan girls group have a bunch of “themed” potluck parties (nacho bar, baked potato bar, brunch, cookie exchange, etc) – this will be a perfect addition =)
kimmythevegan recently posted…Healthy Vegan Fridays #131
I really need to have a granola exchange!
Your Granola looks wonderful I love the combination.
Miz Helen recently posted…Top Favorites 2016
Thank you!
Mint chocolate breakfast sounds like a great idea to me. I love the puffed millet in there. Sounds delicious!
The best way to bulk up granola!
I packed a cast iron skillet for our 2 months in Mexico and I’d been thinking about skillet granola.
Thanks for the inspiration!
That would be a perfect treat!
Such a cool idea! I’ve never seen skillet granola before.
Now you have!
Yum! Thanks for sharing!
Great, thanks.
Oh yes! Mint chocolate screams Christmas to me 😀 I’ve never tried making granola in a skillet, but I love the idea 😀
nadia recently posted…Healthy Chocolate Snowmen – Vegan & Gluten-free
I’m going to make ti the new “trend” 😉
Delicious post and stunning pictures! i’m with you on cast iron skillet. I own every size and shape that I see:)
They are the best investment for the kitchen!
Hahaha, what a dilemma. I sort of know what you mean about ‘making’, but it’s such a useful word. Love the flavours and ingredients you’ve used here. Merry Christmas and I wish you a very good New Year.
Choclette recently posted…Christmas Bliss Balls – Cranberry, Pistachio, Coconut & Salted Caramel
Thank you, sweetheart! You too!
omg this looks so yummy!! definitely going to make it over the holidays with my family!!!
xx
Thanks, Holly!
I’m obsessed with my skillet too and now you’ve just made the obsession even more intense! I love that you can make granola!!!! Life changed 😀
Kortney // Allergy Girl Eats recently posted…How to own the holidays with food allergies
The skillet can do no wrong!
Wow! Mint chocolate granola sounds heavenly! Yum! I have to make this over the holidays! Thank you for sharing Rebecca 🙂
Harriet Emily recently posted…umami vegetable rice
Yes! A gift for yourself 😉
Now this is a flavor of granola that I’ve never tried! Love hat you use tea in it – and I need to find that flavor of tea for sipping, too!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free recently posted…The Beauty of Birchbox for Dairy-Free Living
My favorite! Trader Joe’s now makes a chocolate mint!
I’ve never thought of making granola in a skillet. I bet this would be great on ice cream!
Seriously, it is my favorite way to do it!
I can’t say I’ve every tried or even seen a mint granola! Sound interesting and of course with chocolate it has to be good.
The best flavor goes well in any goodie!
Always loved granola!
Best morning snack!
I love mint chocolate anything, but never thought to make mint chocolate granola before sounds awesome!
Cricket Plunkett recently posted…Boozy Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa #SundaySupper
Well every flavor goes well as granola!
Oh this is absolute genius! I love pumpkin spice granola which I make myself but I have never thought of making a chocolate mint one. I may have to try this when my current batch runs out! Thanks for the inspiration 😀
Haha, well glad you have your next one planned out!
Oh this looks so amazing! I love making homemade granola and mint with chocolate is my favorite flavor combo :-).
Leigh Suznovich recently posted…Gingerbread Sticky Buns
Same and same!!! Two simple life pleasures!
I love a good granola! This looks like an easy recipe that my whole family will love! Thanks for sharing.
Right? And no one turns down chocolate!
Oh wow this sounds wonderful, and I agree that a pretty jar of this would be such a lovely, heartfelt gift to receive – what a nice idea. I’ve made granola in the oven but never in a skillet so much give this a go.
Kate | The Veg Space recently posted…Recipe: The Ultimate Vegan Mince Pies (with Cream ‘Cheese’ Pastry)
It’s a very well received gift (I know from last year!)!
I’ve never made homemade granola, because I am TERRIBLE about flipping things in the oven. And all those granola recipes call for such things. And it seems so easy to burn that way. We have a cast iron though, so this is right up my alley. And it means I won’t burn myself on the oven like I always seem to manage to do.
What role does the mint chocolate stevia syrup play? Sweetener, obviously. But thickener // sticky-ness as well? I would want to try to substitute something like honey, but not lose the integrity of the recipe. I just don’t keep Stevia around & hate to buy for one recipe! Ya know?
Haha, I don’t flip my granola in the oven. If you want clumpy granola, you don’t flip!
You can use a sweetener, but your adding calories and sacrificing taste and nutrition.
There’s nothing better than homemade granola! This recipe looks delicious!
My motto!
I love cast iron skillets too! When I was 18, my best friend’s mum bought me two for my birthday… I’m 53 now, and they are still perfect!
Your granola looks really lovely, and it makes complete sense to toast it on the stove in a skillet. 🙂
Nico @ yumsome recently posted…Luxury Vegan Mincemeat
The older they get the better! Good thing I got mine at age 18 too 😉
YAAAS! I love mint chocolate everything!
Taylor Corbett recently posted…20 Ways to Beat Boredom
So right!
I’ve always made mine in the oven! I love this idea! Going to give it a try!
The skillet is the new way to do it!
I like making the granola in an iron skillet. Why I’ve never thought of this method, I don’t know. Like the recipe, too.
Platter Talk recently posted…Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies
It’s the best way!
I totally love my cast iron skillet. I have never made granola this way. Always in the oven. Awesome.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy recently posted…Chewy Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies for Santa
Go for it! Making granola in the skillet is so easy and comes out amazing!
You had me at mint + chocolate 😉
Right on! The best, eh?
What a great idea, and I’m intrigued by the addition of a chocolate mint tea bag! Genius!
Elizabeth recently posted…Chewy Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies
Perfect way to add some extra flavor boost!
Mint chocolate granola sounds so refreshing for breakfast. Such a great idea. I need to make it and try it out ASAP 🙂
J @ Bless Her Heart Y’all recently posted…Pear Pecan Chicken Skillet
Yes it is!! I love anything minty in the morning!
Granola is my favorite! Add in cacao and sunflower seed butter and I can’t resist. YUM!
One of my favorite foods for sure!