Bircher muesli is a healthy make-ahead breakfast that tastes like a treat. It’s basically overnight oats with fresh apple and applesauce, oats, raisins, nuts, and nut butter. Or, think of it as a special muesli with a wonderful apple flavor.
Start your day with a hearty bowl of Bircher muesli for stable energy levels! I’ve been perfecting this recipe since I figured out how to make overnight oats tasty, and I’m confident you’ll love it.
Bircher Muesli History
Bircher muesli was created in the early 1900s by a Swiss physician named Maximilian Bircher-Benner. He claimed to have cured his own jaundice by eating raw apples, and encouraged his patients to eat raw fruit and vegetables to cure their ailments.
Bircher-Benner’s original recipe was inspired by a “strange dish” that he and his wife were served while hiking in the Swiss alps. His recipe called for lots of fresh apple with a small amount of oats, lemon juice, nuts, cream and honey. He served it to his patients as a healthy appetizer before most meals.
His concept reminds me of my mom’s advice when I was little. When I complained that I was hungry before dinner, she always told me to eat an apple!
The Best Bircher Muesli
My version resembles my overnight oats recipe more than Bircher’s original. My recipe calls for more oats, plus it uses almond milk instead of cream. I add a spoonful of almond butter to achieve a rich, creamy texture. I’d like to think that Bircher would approve.
I also added a couple of tablespoons of homemade applesauce for extra apple flavor. Store-bought applesauce will work well, but homemade takes this recipe to the next level. It’s a nice snack to have around, too.
My Bircher muesli is thick and satisfying. It’s a breakfast I look forward to in the mornings, and it keeps me going until lunchtime.
Watch How to Make Bircher Muesli
Please let me know how you like it in the comments! And if you’re craving an equally wholesome but warm apple breakfast, don’t miss my apple steel-cut oatmeal.
Homemade Bircher Muesli
This bircher muesli recipe is so delicious! It’s a healthy way to start the day. Recipe yields 1 serving; I recommend making these oats in multiples of 2 in order to use up 1 apple while making and then 1 more apple for serving.
- In a jar or bowl (a 14-ounce working jar or 1-pint mason jar is perfect), combine the oats, raisins, cinnamon, nut butter and applesauce. Stir to combine. Then add the milk and stir to combine.
- Grate half of the apple, then stir the grated apple into the oatmeal (if you’re making multiple jars, just use 1 grated apple for 2 jars, and so on).
- Place the lid on the jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 5 days. When you’re ready to serve, chop the remaining ½ apple into matchsticks. Top the oatmeal with the fresh apple, a splash of milk and/or a drizzle of honey (both optional). Enjoy chilled.
Notes
Make it gluten free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
Make it vegan: Choose one of the dairy-free milk options listed above. If adding additional sweetener, use maple syrup instead of honey.
Make it nut free: Omit the nut butter or replace it with sunbutter. Omit the nuts on top, or use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead.
Warm it up: Overnight oats are typically served chilled. However, if you prefer warm oats, you can heat them in the microwave before topping with fresh apple. Just use a microwave-safe jar and stir frequently while you’re warming them up. Since the oats are so thick, I’m not sure this would work well on the stovetop, but you could give it a try.
Nutrition
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