Bircher Muesli: a mouthwatering recipe for simple Swiss overnight oats

If you're a fan of overnight oats, then you'll love Bircher muesli. This delicious Swiss oatmeal is a wonderful, easy, nutritious way to start your day. It has a rich, creamy texture and perfectly sweet taste.

Normal muesli is made from dry ingredients that are usually eaten with yogurt or milk. Bircher muesli is soaked overnight, much like overnight oats, which gives it a fantastic creamy texture. You can use any liquid to make your Bircher muesli. This recipe calls for apple juice but cream, orange juice, or lemon juice can also be used. Bircher muesli is super easy to make, and if you've been looking for a quick, easy breakfast that's packed with all sorts of nutrients, this Swiss oatmeal recipe is perfect for you!

What is Bircher Muesli?

Bircher muesli was first made by Maximillian Bircher-Benner, who was a Swiss doctor in the early 1900s. He gave this tasty dish to all of his patients before each meal; he believed that eating raw fruit and vegetables could help cure a variety of illnesses and ailments. It's made from oats, grated apple, and apple juice, and can be served with different toppings including nuts, seeds, fruit, and more.

Bircher Muesli Ingredients 

At its most basic, Bircher muesli is made with old-fashioned oats, apple juice, and grated apple. From there, you can add other ingredients. The beauty of Bircher muesli is you can customize it however you like. Use your favorite type of nuts, seeds, fruit preserves, and dried fruit.

How to Make Bircher Muesli 

Making homemade Bircher muesli is super easy. If you've ever made overnight oats, the process is pretty much the same. Pour the oats and apple juice into a bowl. Cover the bowl and put them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, grate the two apples and stir them into the oatmeal. Top off your Bircher muesli with your preferred toppings, and enjoy!

Swiss Oatmeal Topping Ideas

You can put just about any topping onto your bowl of Bircher muesli. Some favorites include dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates.

Nuts like walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts are excellent toppings, while flaxseed, chia seed, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds all add a bit of crunch.

Finish off your muesli with a dollop of Greek yogurt or jam. Nut butter, maple syrup, honey, and poached fruit are also wonderful topping ideas to try.

Tips for Homemade Bircher Muesli 

Old-fashioned oats are the way to go when it comes to making Bircher muesli. Don't use instant oats.

If your Swiss oatmeal is too sweet, add a pinch of salt to balance out the flavor.

To make vegan Bircher muesli, omit the yogurt or use a plant-based substitute.

For gluten-free Bircher muesli, use gluten-free oats instead.

How to Store Bircher Muesli 

Keep Bircher muesli covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

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Instructions

Pour the oats and apple juice into a medium-sized bowl. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge overnight.

In the morning, grate the apples and mix them into the oats.

Add your preferred toppings, and enjoy.

Notes

Any type of apple works for Bircher muesli. Use Granny Smiths if you prefer tarter apples or Honeycrisp, Mackintosh, or Gala for sweeter apples.