Mint Chocolate Skillet Granola

December 21, 2016 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 68 Comments

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