Homemade Muesli
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
A healthy breakfast in minutes? Yes, please! This adaptable Bircher muesli recipe is my morning go-to. It’s very easy to make ahead — often I mix the muesli with milk and yogurt before going to bed and stash it in the fridge so it’s ready when I wake up. It makes mornings a breeze!
I learned how to make Bircher muesli many years ago from a tired, talented French man named Chef Pasche, who was working a second job as an instructor at the culinary program I was attending in South Philly. Named after a Swiss doctor, Maximilian Bircher-Brenner, Bircher muesli essentially is a mix of raw oats, nuts, seeds, and dried or fresh fruit soaked in milk.
It’s one of the healthiest, easiest breakfast recipes you could make, especially if you load it with fruit. Chef Pasche always added a grated apple and whatever fresh fruit was in season — oranges in the winter, berries in the summer — as well as grapes (which he peeled!) and a handful of sugar. He always soaked the muesli mix for at least 15 minutes in milk. Sometimes he stirred in yogurt, too.
For a while I would make the Bircher muesli in small batches, throwing handfuls of oats, almonds and coconut into a bowl, dicing up dates and grating apples, letting it all soak with milk and yogurt until the oats softened. But with mornings getting busier and busier — lunches to pack! coffee to brew! — gathering ingredients, cutting and grating became such a chore.
How to Make Homemade Muesli
To make things easier, I make a big mix of muesli; then I simply use a 1/2 cup of this mix for my morning Bircher muesli. As noted above, often I mix the muesli mix with milk, yogurt, and grated apple, and stash it in the fridge overnight.
To make the muesli mix, combine:
- rolled oats
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- flax seeds
- chia seeds
- sliced almonds
- golden raisins
- date pellets (an amazing discovery — so much easier than cutting dates; plus they don’t clump).
Transfer to an airtight storage vessel; then store at room temperature.
Use the recipe below as a guide. Add more oats, use other nuts, omit the chia, etc. It’s so nice having an enormous vat of muesli sitting on my counter — truly, I feel lost in the morning when we are out.
The Joys of Bulk Food Shopping
Thanks to an amazing co-op in Albany, I’ve discovered the joys of bulk food shopping. A quarter (wild guess) of the 31,000 square feet that is the Honest Weight Food Co-op is lined with tubes, bins, and barrels holding every nut, seed, grain, flour, pasta, oil, butter, extract, paste you could imagine.
It’s an astonishing site — really, I’ve never seen anything like it: whole aisles dedicated to unpackaged food, which you can cart home in your own vessels or in an array of glass jugs and jars sold at the store.
I’m stating the obvious here, but bulk shopping is way more economical for these sorts of ingredients, and while I am by no means suggesting that shopping at HW will save you money, shopping their bulk section (or your store’s) will.
One Tip for Bulk Shopping
I love bulk shopping, but bulk shopping with children is not ideal/maddening/impossible. What is so nice about the HW co-op is that you can bring in your own vessels. When you arrive, someone will weigh/tare your containers so you’re not charged for the weight of the vessels. And then off you go.
I now arrive with a 4-qt Cambro, which I fill with oats, a dozen or so quart containers (the same ones I use for soup and stock), and a glass jug or two, all of which I have marked with the correct PLU numbers/names, which makes shopping the bulk section a breeze. I know all stores don’t allow you to bring in your own vessels, but it might be worth asking/requesting because it is a serious time/headache saver.
Bulk storage containers:
Date pellet thief:
To make the muesli mix, gather your ingredients: oats, almonds, chia, flax, coconut, date pellets, and golden raisins.
Combine in a large bowl:
Toss to combine:
Transfer to a large storage container, and store at room temperature.
This recipe yields at least 3 quarts of muesli mix:
To make a bowl of Bircher muesli, stir together 1/2 cup of the muesli mix, 1/2 cup milk of choice, 1/4 cup yogurt (optional), and 1/2 grated apple.
Let stand 15 minutes before serving:
Or: combine the muesli mix with the milk, yogurt, and apple, and stash in the fridge overnight. It’s such a treat to rise to these overnight oats:
Homemade Muesli
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 quarts
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
As I mentioned above, adapt the recipe to your liking. Any number of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc. will work. Also, wheat flakes, oat flakes, etc. can be added.
If you haven’t made the muesli mix, just use 1/2 cup oats and a pinch of any nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc. you have on hand. Before I discovered date pellets, I would just chop up a date — one date per serving/person.
To simplify: Sometimes I just soak the muesli in milk for about 15 minutes — no apple, no yogurt. For me, I’ll soak 1/2 cup of muesli with 1/2 cup of milk for at least 15 minutes. Sometimes I add more milk if it has gotten too thick. It is delicious on its own just like that, though the apple provides a nice sweetness and the yogurt, a nice creaminess.
Ingredients
For the muesli mix:
- 5 cups (556 g) rolled oats
- 2 cups (180 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups (200 g) sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup (86 g) flax seed
- 1 cup (176 g) date pellets
- 1/2 cup (90 g) chia seeds
- 1 cup (126 g) golden or brown raisins
For 1 serving of Bircher muesli:
- 1/2 cup muesli mix, see notes above
- 1/2 cup milk of choice — I love using almond or cashew milk
- 1/2 grated apple
- any other fresh fruit you feel like adding
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
Instructions
- To make the muesli mix: Mix oats, coconut, almonds, flax seed, date pellets, chia, and raisins in a large bowl; then transfer to a storage container.
- To make an individual serving of Bircher muesli: Mix together the 1/2 cup muesli mix with the 1/2 cup milk, grated apple, fruit (if using), and yogurt. Let sit for 15 minutes at least before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stir
- Cuisine: American, French
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
84 Comments on “Homemade Muesli”
Since I discovered your granola, it is always in our cupboard. I think it’s the millet, both the grains and puffed — makes it less dense and just the right amout of decadent. But it’s a weekend “treat.” The museli looks like perfect daily fare. Thanks!
This makes me so happy, Patty! I love the millet, too — it’s the best/most surprising part. We are hooked on the muesli, too.
I just squealed!!! I got back from Austria and Switzerland on Monday and have not been able to stop thinking about the bircher muesli that I had there! SO GOOD. Thank you sooo much for this recipe!!!
Molly, I saw your beautiful pictures! The trip looked like an absolute dream. I can only imagine what real Bircher muesli must taste like. So fun!
Thank you, thank you…can’t wait to make these! I’ve been making the same granola recipe for too long. These will be a welcome change!
Hi Stacey! The toasted muesli (granola) is a huge hit here — my kids love the millet.
This looks amazing, but I really can’t stand yogurt in any way shape or form. I use tofu in my smoothies, instead of yogurt like some people, but don’t think tofu would work in this. Any suggestions for a substitute for the yogurt or would it still be good without.
Just leave it out. On a daily basis, I just soak the muesli in milk for about 15 minutes and leave it. I love the grated apple for sweetness and the yogurt for a bit more substance, but the milk and muesli on its own is great. Sometimes grating an apple in the morning just feels like too much work 🙂
I love muesli also and can’t wait to try this. Now if I just can wait 15 minutes!
What a beautiful dish. I love all of the flavors and textures and would love to have a container of this in my cupboard!
Wow, so this cereal has a proper name! We make something very similar at home that we just call our mega-mix, but we don’t let it soak in milk. I’m going to have to try it with all your lovely additions! I really like the idea of shredded apple and the addition of the seeds! Mostly we mix together raw oats, grape nuts, shredded wheat, almonds, walnuts, raisins and dried cranberries! I’ve recently begun sourcing from the bulk section as well–it saves so much money!
I’ve never seen this before! I keep your toasted muesli rotated with some other granola iterations on a jar on the counter all the time (though I always forget to buy more puffed cereal, so that’s missing), and I got a yogurt maker for Christmas that I now use on a weekly basis. I’m so interested in trying this untoasted form too! The grated apple sounds so good. Just need to find a good, convenient bulk place in SD now… everything seems sooo much more expensive here and I’m still not used to it! Thanks and have a great weekend 🙂
Such a yummy snack! I did drizzle with a little honey for some added sweetness.
I’ve love your blog❤️ Some of my favourite recipes are Canal House Chicken and Rice, Best Buttermilk Biscuits, Buttermilk Blueberry Scones, Cook’s Illustrated Blueberry Cobbler, and now your Bircher Muesli. I even bought a pair of Free People shoes and a Madewell tote after seeing them in one of your posts. Thanks!
Oh Katie! This all makes me so, so happy 😍😍😍😍 I bought blueberries today to make scones … I crave them this time of year. Thanks so much for taking the time to write. I love this Bircher Muesli, too. My kitchen feels empty, in fact, when I don’t have a jar of this on the counter.
I have to tell you how much I enjoy your blog ! Your photographs, recipes and writing are delightful. I look at your blog and feel refreshed by your humor, creative ideas and your lovely spirit which shines through all you share.
I am a longtime friend and neighbor of your Virginia relatives, John and Georgia. I knew you grandmother, Deena, through the many years that our children were growing up together with
Georgia and John’s children. Tasted Deena’s cooking, in particular her minestrone soup, which I may still have a handwritten copy of what she wrote out for me. (I will look for that!)
And it was the lovely Tribbie who first introduced me to your blog !
So thank you for sharing so much with us, your readers !
My husband and I were granola-loyal until we had breakfast at the Elways restaurant at the Denver airport for the first time. My husband ordered their muesli which came with a little pitcher of warm cider and a side of berries. It was wonderful! We’ve been converts ever since. Mostly now we eat it with milk or yogurt, but when we have it around, the warm cider is especially nice and different.
Wow what a great recipe- I love when I can prep things in bulk and just toss it all together in a hurry.
Delicious- thank you!
-Kelsey
This is wonderful and such clean food to start the day with.
Can I ask where you buy date pellets from? I don’t seem to be able to find them in my bulk food store.
I made this bulk mix last night and my fella and I both had some for breakfast this morning – it was delicious, we had it with almond milk and fresh blueberries. So good!
Yay! So happy to hear this Jessie! I am addicted to it — I can’t start my morning without it.
My mother used to be part of one of those mail-order bulk food clubs. 10 pound of oats, 5 gallons of honey, and those date pellets — I had forgotten about them! — all arrived in large plastic containers. I thought it was so fun. We never made muesli growing up, now I wish we had! Sounds so yummy. Quick breakfasts are always great to have in the pantry. And I love the sound of your bulk store….. heaven, to some of us 🙂
I have made this at least three times now for breakfast and it is so good. I love the combination of milk and yogurt, plus the grated apple and dates. Just the right amount of sweetness.
By the way, I really, really love your blog. So many of your recipes have made it into my regular rotation (summer vegetable strata, toasted muesli, oatmeal toasting bread (I make this every week!), baked eggs (our new Christmas morning tradition), paul steindler’s cabbage soup, and the slow-cooked tuscan kale with pancetta and a poached egg (I omit the breadcrumbs and serve mine over polenta), rosemary shortbread, alice waters’ potato gratin, farro salad with pine nuts, currants, and mustard greens), just to name a few.
And I saw that your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe is also the same one I have been using for at least 8 years now.
I just wanted to let you know how much I like your blog. Thanks so much for all the great recipes.
Oh I so concur with all of these many wonderful people in letting you know how very much we enjoy your recipes and stories. I remember your blog in Va. So nice to see things grow and some things remain wonderfully the same, like a recipe, or the
person who wrote it.
where can I find date pellets?
They can be hard to find. I buy them in bulk from my co-op, but my sister buys these online from Amazon.
This with Almond milk soaked over night then dressed with the yogurt and fresh berries. and one of the lovely syrups of fruit you make Alexandra. it cuts like a little square when cooked then cooled. just delicious. .
If you don’t feel like grating apple in the morning, do what I do: I soak the oats in just a little milk, put the rest (and yogurt) into my VitaMix, just quarter and core the apple and add it, and whiz it up and pour it onto the oats. I also add cinnamon, flaxseed meal, maybe a wee bit of sweetener, and then for just the last few seconds a handful of walnuts, jus enough to chop them without pulverizing them. Then I pour it onto the oats and add berries, orange sections, and/or whatever other fruit I want, plus a little toasted wheat germ and maybe coconut. Being mostly vegan in recent years, I use almond or coconut milk and homemade soy yogurt.
This all sounds so good, Madeline. I use unsweetened almond milk now in my muesli, too. Not vegan, but trying to take small steps where I can.
My daughter and I love overnight oats and any combination practically of oatmeal. So I am very excited to try this muesli recipe. Thank you for posting.
It’s a go-to for me!
hello!,I like your writing very much! proportion we be in contact more approximately your post onn AOL?
I require a specialist in this house to resolve my problem.
Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahezd to see you.
Simple but brilliant your muesli!
Yay! So nice to hear this, San!
Hi Ali! Have you considered putting the muesli in your peasant bread? In your book you have the multigrain cereal bread. I was wondering if you had subbed the muesli in place of the multigrain cereal.
Sonia, I can’t believe I haven’t tried this. I would imagine it would work. If I give it a try anytime soon, I’ll report back!
This Bircher muesli looks wonderful, the only thing is, I like my oatmeal etc. warm. So what do you suggest to make this a hot cereal ? Thanks for great recipes and ideas.
Hi Linda! I think you could simmer this in milk or water for 10 – 15 minutes or until it’s cooked to your liking.
Hi! Thanks for sending this! I don’t use any coconut oil in this recipe. I think you must be thinking about the coconut oil granola? Often I just use grapeseed oil in that recipe.
Yes, I was thinking about that other recipe, but hadn’t the time to locate it.
Thanks for this recipe! Do you have advice on how to grate an apple? I used a box grater and it was mostly juice or mush and took a surprising amount of time. Still delicious!
Hi Katherine! Which side of the box grater did you use? I have better luck for whatever reason using the smaller grate on the shorter side of the box than the big one. But: my apple, too, in the end is mostly mush and juice. I actually like it that way, but if you want more defined pieces, you could simply slice the apple into thin slices, stack the slices, and thinly slice them into matchsticks.
Hi, Ali…made the Bircher muesli this morning and it was absolutely delicious. Also made your large-clump granola and likewise it was amazing. Question about the date pellets — are they available at your local co-op? We have a storied co-op here in Madison, WI and I could not find them, so am curious if you could identify a supplier so I can pass the information on to my local co-op. I also looked on Amazon, etc. and see several options for chopped dates and one for date bits mixed with oat flour — are date pellets simply chopped dates or another mixture? Not sure why they are so hard to find. Used chopped dates in the mix this morning, and thought it was spectacular, not sure how different real date pellets would be. Thanks!
Hi Christopher,
So nice to hear this! I have not been to Honest Weight, the co-op in Albany, in about a year now, but the date pellets they offer are in fact coated in oat flour — I think it keeps them from spreading. The brand of “chopped dates” I get at the supermarket is Sunsweet. These date pellets on Amazon look very similar to the ones I get from HW. Here is the Sunsweet.
I don’t know why they are so hard to find, but I think they are worth seeking out. Nothing probably compares to chopping the dates fresh, but I find that to be so hard — the dates stick and clump together, etc. Love the pellets for this reason. Thanks for writing!
I love making this muesli in bulk! I make mine following the recipe and my 4 year daughter makes her own version adding different dried and freeze dried fruit. it’s so easy to make together and we can eat a healthy breakfast or snack for days. I’ve even made it for new moms and friends. everyone loves it!
Oh Yay! So nice to hear this, Bridget! I love that your daughter adds freeze-dried fruit. So smart! Nice work sharing this with your friends and new moms in your life. Whenever one of my friends has a baby, I send them a large batch of this muesli! (So important to stay regular during those first few days/weeks postpartum 😂😂😂😂)
I was just thinking what a lovely gift this would make, for anyone! I’m gonna do it!
I could spend all day reading your recipes. Thank you, Ali!
So funny you say this because I just made a batch to give to my father-in-law for his birthday (September 3rd, same as mine incidentally) because our little co-op no longer carries his favorite brand (Mu Mu Muesli). He was thrilled!
Hi Ali,
I just made a huge batch of this & was so excited to try it…when I realized I had no apples! Is there any substitute that works? Or can you make it completely without? Thanks!!
Hi! I often just soak 1/2 cup of the muesli mix with 1/2 cup almond milk and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and that’s it! Banana is great, too, but I consider fruit (and yogurt actually) to be optional 🙂
Hi Ali,
I just found this recipe and am anxious to try it. I noticed that several reviewers mentioned millet, but I don’t see millet listed in the ingredients. Did I miss something?
Hi! I think people must be referring to the millet in this recipe: Large Clump Granola
Love both of these recipes so much. Let me know if there is anything else.
Yes! I also make my muesli in bulk (well, re-used quart yogurt container — have you tried Butterworks? Yum!) from Honest Weight. Smart idea to label containers in advance too!
The reason stores do you not allow customers to bring in used containers is because of a New York State law that requires groceries to sell food in new containers only. We at HW got an exemption from the Ag & Markets regulation — because re-use is central to HW’s mission — on the condition that we inspect the containers customers bring in to ensure they are clean (when we weigh the tare weight).
So interesting to read all of this, Louise! I had no idea about the containers. And I don’t believe I have tried Butterworks… will be sure to try it soon. Thanks!