Introduction
Emergency Homemade Granola is a fast, flexible recipe designed for moments when you need a quick, crunchy topping or snack but don’t have time for long baking. It uses pantry staples and comes together in minutes on the stovetop, making it ideal for last-minute breakfasts, yogurt bowls, or energy-packed snacks.
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Description
This granola is lightly sweet, toasty, and customizable. Instead of baking for forty minutes, everything is cooked in a skillet for rapid caramelization and crispness. It stays crunchy as it cools and can be tailored to be healthy, indulgent, or somewhere in between.
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Ingredients
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional for extra sweetness)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small pinch of salt
Optional add-ins:
2 tablespoons chopped nuts
1 tablespoon seeds (chia, flax, or sunflower)
2 tablespoons shredded coconut
1 tablespoon chocolate chips (add after cooking)
Dried fruit (add after cooking)
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Instructions
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add butter or coconut oil and allow it to melt.
3. Stir in the honey or maple syrup, brown sugar (if using), and a pinch of salt. Mix until melted and combined.
4. Add the oats and stir to coat them fully in the mixture.
5. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often, until the oats turn golden and smell toasty.
6. If using nuts or seeds, add them during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
8. Let the granola cool completely to crisp up.
9. Add chocolate chips or dried fruit once cooled.
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Tips
Keep the heat moderate to prevent burning; granola toasts quickly.
Spread granola out on a plate while cooling to avoid clumps sticking together.
For chunkier granola, press it lightly in the pan before cooling.
If you want it less sweet, reduce the honey or syrup by half.
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Variations
High-Protein: Add a scoop of protein powder after cooking (mix while warm).
Nut-Free: Swap nuts for pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
Cinnamon Crunch: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon while cooking the oats.
Savory Snack Mix: Skip sweeteners; use olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Coconut Lover’s Version: Add coconut flakes and a small splash of coconut extract.
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Correction
If the granola turns out too soft, it likely did not toast long enough. Return it to the pan over low heat for another 2 to 3 minutes and let it cool again.
If it tastes burnt, the heat was too high. Lower the heat and stir frequently during cooking.
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Enjoy
Once fully cooled, enjoy your Emergency Homemade Granola as a snack, breakfast topper, or crunchy mix-in. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to one week.