The BEST Homemade Birchermuesli Recipe

This Swiss muesli recipe is a great, delicious version of overnight oats you just have to make!!

A few years ago we were in Chicago and stayed at the Drake Hotel. This cold oatmeal was set out in beautiful glasses on a breakfast buffet that also included meats and cheese along with typical continental fare.

It was so delicious that I looked forward to having it each morning. When we returned home, I emailed the chef to see if he would share the recipe, and he did!

My daughter LOVES this healthy muesli recipe and I have to agree it is quite tasty, especially during the warm summer months. 

What is Bircher muesli made of?

Bircher muesli is swiss style muesli that is full of hearty oats that are soaked in milk or yogurt, lemon juice, and honey, and includes grated apple and pear, chopped nuts, and fresh berries. It is traditionally served for breakfast, but we have enjoyed this as lunch and dinner too! 

Ingredients needed for Birchermuesli recipe

• Oatmeal- Quick Oats are perfect for this quick birchermüsli If you only have traditional oats, that is ok- just let your oatmeal soak overnight or for a few hours to become soft. 
• Milk- Any style milk will work. I have used skim milk in the past, but whole, 1 percent or 2 percent is perfectly fine. 
• Nuts- Sliced almonds and chopped hazelnuts taste amazing in this muesli recipe, but I have used only sliced almonds and it tastes just as good! 
• Sugar- granulated sugar is best for this breakfast meal. 
• Apples- This is also a taste preference- I really like to use Macintosh or gala apples because they tend to be a bit sweeter. 
• Pears– Bartlett pears are delicious for this muesli oatmeal! 
• Lemon juice- Bottled lemon juice is actually preferred over freshly squeezed lemons. I've tried both and bottled is better. 
• Honey- You don't need much, so use whatever honey you have available. If this is not available, you can leave it out.
• Yogurt- I like to use vanilla-flavored yogurt rather than plain. 
• Seasonal fruits- Add blueberries, blackberries, peaches, or cherries. 
• Grapes– My family likes red seedless grapes, but green grapes are good too! 

How to Make Bircher Muesli

This recipe comes together very quickly and you only need a few items like a box grater and a big bowl. 

I will provide what was sent to me and below, I will share my version. So very good!

1. Soak the oatmeal in the milk for about 15 minutes so the oats get soft. 
2. Chop nuts – using a chopper or your chef knife, chop nuts super fine. 
3. Add chopped nuts and sugar to the softened oats.
4. Grate apples and pears on a box grater, including the skins. 
5. Mix apples, pears, lemon juice, and yogurt and pour into the oatmeal mixture.
6. Gently fold honey and some seasonal fresh fruit into the muesli.
7. Put bircher muesli in an airtight container and let sit for 1 hour or up to overnight.
8. To serve, scoop into a bowl or glass and garnish with whipped cream rosette, raspberry, and mint leaf.

How long does bircher müsli last?

This make-your-own muesli will last for about 3 days. Be sure to keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a lid. The recipe creates a lot, but because this is the best muesli recipe, ours always disappears before the 3 days are up!