15 Minute Stovetop Granola

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Grab a pan & a few pantry ingredients and within 15 minutes you’ll have crispy, caramelized, delicious stovetop granola – NO OVEN NEEDED! Cleanup is also easy when all you need is a pan.

I’ve become addicted to making granola like this – and in so many forms. Craving cinnamon raisin granola? Cherry chocolate? No prob, I just adjust this recipe with some simple swaps and I’ve got a crunchy sprinkle on my yogurt in no time. I’ve got tons of fun ideas for you below!

You will absolutely love this SUPER easy stovetop granola because:

it’s a ONE PAN granola recipe (less dishes!)
it’s ACTUALLY crispy and includes tips to make crunchy granola clusters
it’s HEALTHIER than store bought granola recipes
includes FUN TWISTS on your basic granola recipe

HEALTH CORNER: Oats provide lots of evidence-based health benefits thanks to their soluble fiber and other special components. Oats significantly can lower your cholesterol – specifically the one called “LDL” which is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease (including risk of heart attack and stroke)
So keep eating those oats!

source: pubmed

Ingredients for 15 Minute Stovetop Granola

Old fashioned oats – These are the best oats for granola! Quick oats don’t get quite as crisp and steel cut oats need to be cooked to eat. If you are gluten-free, make sure you get certified gluten-free oats.
Coconut oil – This is my favorite oil for granola because it gives a subtle flavor (but don’t worry the granola doesn’t taste like coconut). Olive oil tends to have too potent of a flavor.
Maple syrup – Not table syrup. This will help the oats caramelize too!
Nuts – I use sliced almonds and pecans in this recipe, but you could swap these with other nuts (see below for ideas). I recommend using untoasted (aka raw) nuts; if your nuts are already roasted they may get overcooked in the process.
Seeds – Ground flaxseed and hemp seeds. These add a nutritional boost! Hemp seeds are also high in protein. If you don’t have access to these, you can consider omiting them all together or swapping for chia seeds or another seed you like.
Cinnamon – You can’t have granola without a touch of cinnamon!
Salt – I recommend a few pinches of salt because it really rounds out the flavor of the granola

How to Make Stovetop Granola

This recipe is SO easy – you will honestly be shocked how good this granola is that you whipped up in just 15 minutes.

1. First, I recommend you measure out all your ingredients before. This is because the recipe moves pretty fast and you don’t want your granola to burn while you are scrambling to measure out your nuts.

You should also prep a baking sheet with parchment paper because you will need to let the granola cool at the end.

2. Grab a large pan and start to warm it over medium heat. Add your coconut oil and let it melt completely and get warm.

Once it’s warmed up, add your oats and stir well until they are all coated with the oil.

3. Press your oats down evenly and firmly in the pan. This will help them brown and crisp up. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes until they get fragrant and a little brown. Stir them every minute or so, but press them down in between.

4. Turn your heat down slightly. Add your maple syrup and stir until its well coated over your oats. Cook your oats for another minutes (press down again!)

5. Add your nuts, seeds, and spices. Give it a good stir and let it cook for another few minutes (press down again! I think you are getting it – haha).

6. Remove from heat. Add your dried cranberries.

7. Pour your stovetop granola over the parchment lined baking sheet. To help create clusters, press it together and down firmly.

Let it cool for about 10 minutes before you break it up.

Eat it right away (you will probably want to 😉) or store it in a glass airtight container at room temp.

How to Store Healthy Stovetop Granola

Once it’s cooled, store your leftover stovetop granola in a glass container. I like to use a jar, but you could also use a simple pyrex dish too. Make sure to store it on the countertop.

It will last about 2 weeks if you use an airtight container.

❓Did you know you can freeze homemade granola? It can last up to 2-3 months if in a tight container!

Granola Variations

Oil-free: Instead of coconut oil, try applesauce or nut/seed butter. FYI your granola will not get quite as crispy.
Different dried fruit: You can swap or add in lots of other dried fruits like chopped dates, apricots, raisins, dried blueberries or cherries, and so much more!
Nut-free: You can use just seeds if you prefer like pepitas or sunflower seeds
Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats

Other Fun Variations

I love to switch it up with fun flavors depending on my mood. Try out one of these fun granola variations.

Cinnamon Raisin: Swap out the dried cranberries with raisins and increase cinnamon to 1/2-3/4 tsp
Chocolate Cherry: Swap out dried cranberries with dried cherries. Swap out the pecans or almonds with roughly chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips (BUT add them AFTER granola is cooled!)
Chai: Instead of cinnamon, use a chai spice – increase to 1/2-3/4 tsp to taste.
Tropical Coconut: Swap out one of the nuts with coconut shreds. Instead of dried cranberries use dried pineapple.

Tasty Ways to Use Stovetop Granola

The most common way – on yogurt or simply with milk and fruit (simple, but such a good brekkie)
Sprinkle it over ice cream, banana splits, or pudding.
Grill up some fruit in the summertime and add it as a topping. This is so good over grilled peaches!
Add it on top of some overnight oats for a different texture.
On a yummy acai smoothie bowl or strawberry smoothie bowl

Love granola? Try out my popular homemade granola recipe in the oven! This is the perfect recipe for those crunchy granola clusters!

Common Questions

What other granola mix-ins can I use?

Lots! You could use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, dried blueberries or cherries, raisins, shredded coconut and more! I usually like 2-3 types of seeds/nuts and one type of fruit but you can make this however you like!

Can I make stovetop granola oil-free?

I have not tried it, but it may not crisp up well or create clusters. That being said, it may be possible – so give it a try and report back to me!

What is the secret to crunchy granola?

To get those yummy crunchy granola clusters make sure you use an adequate amount of oil & sweetener, press your granola firmly and let it cool before breaking up. I do not recommend decreasing the oil or sweetener in this recipe if you want crunchy granola.

When should I add fruit when making granola?

You want to add it at the end, after the cooking process is over. This is because fruit (esp dried fruit) burns SUPER easily.