Muesli

Looking for a wholesome, make-ahead breakfast recipe? Muesli is the answer! Muesli is essentially homemade oat cereal, which originated in Switzerland. Just add milk, and maybe some fresh fruit. It stores well in the freezer for up to six months.

Not all mueslis are created equally—some are bland and blah. Not this one! This nutritious muesli recipe offers loads of texture and flavor. It features old-fashioned oats, nuts and seeds, optional coconut, and chopped dried fruit.

Toasting the muesli in the oven makes a world of difference. It brings out the savory, nutty flavors in the oats, nuts and seeds and makes your kitchen smell lovely. The oven’s heat also firms up the oats a bit, offering even more texture. It’s absolutely worth the effort!

My other trick is adding a maple syrup splash to the mixture before toasting. The subtle sweetness substantially improves the flavor.

You probably have everything you need to make muesli already, so let’s preheat the oven and start mixing. Below, you’ll find many options for adapting the recipe to your pantry.

Muesli Ingredients

Muesli is a very flexible recipe, so check out the alternatives offered below. The full recipe and instructional video are further down the page.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats

Oats form the backbone for all muesli recipes. Choose old-fashioned oats for the most chew. Hypothetically, quick-cooking oats will work in this recipe but quickly turn to mush in milk.

Slivered Almonds

Slivered almonds offer a crunchy texture and roasted nut flavor. If you don’t have slivered almonds in your pantry, roughly chop whole almonds instead.

Alternatives: Equal amounts of roughly chopped pecans, walnuts, cashews, or whole pistachios. For nut-free muesli, substitute additional pepitas or sunflower seeds.

Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Unsweetened coconut (flaked or shredded) offers extra chewiness and coconut flavor. If you don’t like coconut, simply omit it.

Pepitas

Pepitas are green pumpkin seeds. They offer nice pops of green color and more toasty, “nutty” flavor. They’re nutritious, too!

Alternatives: Raw sunflower seeds or additional chopped nuts. You could substitute flaxseeds, though you will need to stir them into the pan halfway through baking so they don’t burn.

Ground Cinnamon & Salt

Cinnamon offers some warming spice and salt brings out the best in the other ingredients.

Alternatives: You can omit the cinnamon or substitute other warming spices, like pumpkin spice blend, ginger, or half as much nutmeg.

Maple Syrup (optional)

A touch of maple syrup offers some natural sweetness, making this muesli more enticing. It also adds a subtle glimmer to the nuts, which is pretty. One to two tablespoons makes quite a difference in the final flavor.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla is another ingredient that, while technically optional, makes this muesli extra nice and fragrant!

Chopped Dried Cranberries

Chopped dried cranberries contribute little bursts of sweetness and color.

Alternatives: Any dried fruit that is not too sticky will work nicely once chopped. Try cherries or apricots. Or, substitute mini chocolate chips, cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate (be sure the muesli has cooled completely before adding). You can skip the dried fruit and add fresh fruit to your bowl, like berries or thinly sliced apple or banana.

Hemp Hearts

Hemp hearts are sensitive to heat, so they’re stirred into the muesli after it cools. They ramp up the protein content and contribute magnesium, phosphorus, and plant-based omega-3s. They don’t offer a lot of flavor, but they are a very nutritious addition. You can omit the hemp hearts if you don’t have them.

Watch How to Make Muesli

Muesli Variations

This recipe is a great template for creating your own favorite muesli recipe. Here are a few more of my favorite variations:

• Cherry Pecan Muesli
• Homemade Bircher Muesli, which is closer to the original Swiss recipe and features fresh apples
• Toasted Muesli with Almonds, Coconut and Dark Chocolate

Muesli Serving Suggestions

Serve muesli with your milk or yogurt of choice. Dairy-free milks like cashew milk and pecan milk are delicious options. Enjoy it as-is or top your bowl with fresh fruit, such as berries or sliced bananas.

Enjoy your muesli right away for the most texture and chew. For a softer texture closer to classic Bircher muesli or overnight oats, let the mixture soak in milk for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator.

Muesli Storage

Store your muesli properly and it will last longer than a box of store-bought cereal! Once your muesli has cooled completely, transfer it to a freezer bag and squeeze the excess air out before sealing it.

Muesli will keep at room temperature for about one month, but is best kept in the freezer for up to six months. You can use it straight from the freezer—no defrosting necessary. Since the dried fruit hardens in the freezer, let your bowl of frozen muesli and milk rest for a few minutes before eating.

Always stir muesli well before serving, as the seeds and nuts tend to settle.

More Oat-Based Breakfast Recipes

If you enjoy this muesli, you’ll also love these recipes:

• Blender Oatmeal Pancakes
• Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
• How to Make the Best Oatmeal
• Overnight Oats
• The Very Best Granola

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