Bircher Muesli

This traditional Bircher Muesli Recipe delivers a cafe-style breakfast that’s packed with goodness and flavour.

It’s made up the night before – so you can be ready to start the day the right way with something a bit fancier than cereal or toast!

You could even make it up in a jar for a breakfast on the go.

What is Bircher Muesli?

Bircher Muesli is a version of “overnight oats” which involves combining oats with juice (often apple juice), yoghurt (or sometimes milk), fruit (often grated apple) and nuts.

There are many variations, and it’s a popular breakfast option throughout Europe and many other parts of the world – including right here in Australia.

Who invented it?

Bircher Muesli was invented by Swiss physician, Maximilian Bircher-Benner, a pioneer in the raw food movement.

He was known as a radical in the medical profession because he encouraged exercise, spiritual peace, and diet as a path to wellbeing rather than just prescribing medicines.

To encourage patients to eat more raw fruits, he concocted the this oast-based recipe that we still love and enjoy today.

My recipe sticks closely to the original Swiss recipe, but it is a recipe that is so adaptable and versatile.

Ingredients for Bircher Muesli

To make up this version of Bircher Muesli, you’ll need:

• traditional rolled oats
• apple
• slivered almonds
• greek yoghurt
• apple, orange or other fruit juice
• extra fruit, coconut flakes or slivered almonds for garnishing.

This recipe makes enough for two servings.

The ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

If you require additional servings, you can easily multiply the ingredients.

And if you’re after breakfast for one, simply halve the quantities.

How to make Bircher Muesli

Start by peeling and grating apple.

Add the grated apple to oats in a mixing bowl.

Add almonds, juice and yoghurt to mixing bowl and stir to combine.

Cover and place in the fridge overnight.

The next morning, scoop into two bowls and top with your choice of fruit, coconut flakes or slivered almonds.

Here, I’ve topped it with coconut flakes, extra slivered almonds, cherries, peach slices and grapes.

Recipe variations and substitutions

This recipe is the way I enjoy Bircher Muesli.

But there are plenty of ways you can make this recipe your own.

• Oats – You could use quick cook oats to reduce the resting time and make the muesli even easier to eat for kids.

• Juice – I love using apple or orange juice, or a combination of the two, however you can use any type of juice you fancy. Add a little more for moister muesli or less for drier muesli.

• Apple – This is one ingredient I consider a must for Bircher Muesli, so if you like other fruits just add them as a topping.

• Yoghurt – You could use coconut yoghurt to make the muesli vegan. You could also try sweetened yoghurt, however the apple and juice give the muesli enough sweetness in my opinion. And Greek Yoghurt seems to create an extra creamy Bircher Muesli.

• Slivered almonds – Switch these for any other nuts or seeds that you fancy!

• Toppings – My favourite here is coconut flakes, cherries, peach slices and some extra slivered almonds. But you can go crazy here and add whatever fruit is in season and any seeds or nuts you’ve got on hand.

Recipe FAQs

Q. Do I really need to wait overnight for them to be ready?

Bircher Muesli is best when left overnight. You could leave it a few hours at a pinch, though it’d be best to use quick cook oats in that case.

Q. Can I use quick oats?

I prefer it made with traditional oats, but you can use quick oats – they’ll only need a few hours in the fridge.

Q. How long will Bircher Muesli last?

It should last 2-3 days in the fridge.

Q. Bircher Muesli vs Overnight Oats – what’s the difference?

Overnight Oats are similar, but generally stray further from the original Swiss Bircher Muesli recipe. They might include all kinds of things from peanut butter to chocolate and chia.

Q. What is the difference between Bircher Muesli and regular muesli?

Regular muesli is served dry rather than soaked, with the liquid – often milk – added just before eating.

Q. Can you freeze Bircher Muesli?

You actually can! Freeze it for up to a few months then pop it in the fridge to thaw overnight.

Q. Do you have more breakfast recipes?

I do! Find them right here.