What is muesli? It’s an uncooked breakfast cereal, commonly made with rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. It was invented in Switzerland by Maximilian Bircher-Benner, who served this special cereal at his health clinic. (That’s why you’ll also hear it sometimes called Bircher Muesli or Swiss Muesli.) Typically, muesli is served cold, with almond milk or yogurt. But you can also soak it in the fridge for a softer texture, similar to overnight oats. Unlike homemade granola, there’s no need to turn on the oven or clean a baking sheet with this easy recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Traditional muesli usually includes wheat bran or wheat germ, but I’ve omitted that in this recipe to keep it gluten-free. This cereal can include as many components as you like, or you can keep it purposefully simple. It’s a great way to use up ingredients in your pantry! Use old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats for this easy homemade muesli recipe. (Steel cut oats aren’t ideal, though. Cook those in your Instant Pot, instead.) Swap the almonds for cashews, pistachios, or any other nuts you have on hand. Add unsweetened coconut flakes for a chewy texture you’ll love. Feel free to add pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, dried cherries or apricots, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for even more texture and nutrition. You can even season it with warming spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger. But since this isn’t a cooked cereal, the spices won’t “stick” the way they would to baked granola.
How to Make Muesli
Combine the oats, ground flax seeds, hemp hearts (which are hulled hemp seeds), sliced almonds, coconut, raisins, and any other add-ins you like in a large bowl. Stir well until everything looks well mixed. Transfer the mixture to a large airtight container. Since nuts and seeds can go rancid easily, store this cereal in the fridge for the longest shelf life. However, if you are going to consume it within a week, this homemade muesli should be fine stored at room temperature. I typically make 4 cups at a time, which lasts about 1 week in our home, but you can double or triple the recipe, as needed.
How to Serve Muesli
Muesli can be served just like granola. Serve it in a bowl with plain yogurt for extra protein, or with your favorite milk. I usually consider a 1/2 cup a serving, but you can adjust this based on your appetite and toppings. Serve with oat milk, cashew milk, or almond milk, to keep it dairy-free & vegan. Top it with fresh fruit, like chopped apple for some added crunch (highly recommend!) or fresh berries, like raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. It’s also delicious with sliced bananas or a few crunchy cacao nibs sprinkled on top. You can also pour hot water over muesli and let it rest for 10 minutes, almost like you’re making instant oatmeal. It will soften this way, for a more tender texture. Looking for more meal prep breakfast ideas? Try Chocolate Granola, Egg Muffins, or Protein Muffins for more recipe options. If you try this Muesli recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
