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Bircher Müesli overnight oats is a simple, satisfying breakfast! Healthy oats, milk, fruit and nuts come together in one delicious, make-ahead meal!
I cannot even tell you how sick I am of hot oatmeal. In fact, it doesn’t matter how many spices I add or what nuts, raisins and fruit I add on top! Honestly, I’m over it. It reminds me of Winter. Now that it’s springtime, it’s time to shake up breakfast! With that in mind, let me introduce you to my new favorite: Bircher Muesli!
I was first introduced to this creamy overnight oat concoction when my family was living in Hong Kong. And let me tell you, I have ordered it at any restaurant serving it ever since. But for some odd reason, I never tried making it myself…until last week.
In conclusion, I’m in love.
The wonderful thing about this simple, healthy breakfast is that you can easily tailor it to your taste or mood. In essence you can even tailor it to what you have on hand! In other words any combination of nuts, dried and/or fresh fruit would be marvelous!
The only mix-in that I feel is mandatory is the grated Granny Smith Apple. Significantly, it’s been in every variation that I have ever ordered. I’ve written my personal favorite combination below. The coconut, toasted pecans and raisins have the perfect hint of sweetness and crunch to counterbalance the tart, creamy oatmeal mixture!
If you want to cut calories (Hello, bathing suit!) then feel free to use skim milk and fat free yogurt, but I think there is a HUGE taste difference, and for me, personally, I prefer the flavor and satiety given by low fat milk and yogurt.
This Bircher Müesli sticks to the ribs and keeps me full for hours without the superfluous warmth of hot, cooked oats! Summer here we come!
And not to toot my own horn, but this is waaaay better than any bircher muesli I’ve ever had in a restaurant! Just sayin’…
If you’re a nerd, like me, and you want to know about the invention of this fabulous Swiss breakfast, then I suggest you hang out with my friend, Wikipedia. 🙂
Bircher Müesli – Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats not quick oats
- 2 cups 2 % Organic Milk
- 1 lemon juiced
- Zest ½ lemon
- 1 large granny smith apple pealed and grated
- 1 cup 2% Greek yogurt
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup Golden Raisins
- ¼ cup shredded coconut I used lightly sweetened because it’s what I had on hand
- ¼ cup toasted pecans chopped
- Raspberries/ strawberries /blueberries / blackberries okay, any berries
Instructions
- The night before, mix oats, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and apple in a large, sealable container. Let sit over night, covered in the refrigerator.
- Right before serving mix yogurt, honey, raisins, and cinnamon into the oat mixture. Top with pecans and fresh fruit!
- Wasn’t that obscenely easy?
Hi Lindsey, I’ve chosen to enquire as you are a chef … I’m on the Low FODMAP diet (maintenance regime) & am so bored, having eaten the same home-made muesli mix for 4 years! I love the sound of Bircher muesli, like Rolled Oats over buckwheat, etc., dislike chia seed texture & would love it if you could advise me how to alter your recipe to fit this diet. It is seemingly impossible to find an existing, appealing Bircher recipe anywhere that conforms to this diet regime. Can you help?
Hi Maree! I got you covered! Though I’m not a diet expert, I did a tiny bit of research and I think the following would have much the same profile as my original recipe plus be in better alignment with your diet. We keep it exciting, no boredom here!
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups lactose-free milk (like almond milk or rice milk)
Zest of 1 lemon
1 large granny smith apple, peeled and grated
1 cup lactose-free yogurt (like lactose-free Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt)
4 teaspoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup raspberries or strawberries (optional, since I saw that some berries are low FODMAP in small servings)
1/4 cup toasted pecans, chopped (or even pumpkin seeds)
1 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut (optional)
You could also visit my Tropical Overnight Oats recipe or Apple Pie Overnight Oats for more inspo! Let me know how it goes!
Hi Lindsey, thank you for such a prompt reply to my enquiry. I tried the low FODMAP alterations you advised & had Bircher muesli for breakfast today. It was absolutely refreshing to try something different! The lemon zest gives it a real zing & the whole recipe is very appealing. I’m very grateful for your help in responding to my need.
Oh wonderful! I’m so glad it worked out so well, that makes me very happy. 🙂
I am so happy every summer when I finally remember to start have this cool, delicious, nutritious breakfast! I have been making this for 7 summers now! My new batch is in the fridge!
Thanks mom!! xoxox
I tried Bircher muesli for the first time this morning, and it was wonderful. The flavor is reminiscent of a beloved crumb cake from my childhood, the texture is perfect (I absolutely DESPISE the texture and mouth-feel of cooked oatmeal). It was creamy, crunchy, chewy, flavorful, satisfying perfection in a bowl, and I’m so excited that I have leftovers for tomorrow! Thanks for an awesome recipe, and for helping me break out of the breakfast rut.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lisa! I agree about the texture 100%! The best part is that you can make in larger batches for a few days!
I can’t wait to try this! I’m wondering, is there any reason not to mix the yogurt in at night along with the milk? What about the other ingredients?
You know what…I have no idea! You could certainly try it out! I would be curious to hear the result.
hey, so you don’t cook the oats? omg, this looks amazing
Nope! No cooking involved!! It’s so easy and delicious!