Creamy Overnight Bircher Muesli
Made famous by Swiss doctor, Bircher-Benner who recommended it to patients to support a speedy recovery, bircher muesli has risen to iconic breakfast status. Originally made with oats and apple juice with an overnight soaking, a process that improved digestion and nutrient absorption. I’ve been making bircher for years and this creamy overnight bircher muesli one of my all-time favourites.
The recipe is simple and adaptable, so choose your flavour combination according to seasonal availability or dietary requirements. The milk and yoghurt can be replaced by coconut or almond milk. I love to include grated apple in the basic recipe as opposed to apple juice. Whole fruit contains more fibre which also helps to keep you fuller for longer. The consistency of the muesli will therefore be slightly more toothsome. When in season, I top my bircher muesli with handfuls of blueberries and toasted almonds. This will up your vitamin – E intake and help keep skin glowing!
Adding Chia Seeds to you Overnight Oats
My version includes gluten-free whole rolled oats, grated apple, milk and yoghurt. To this I add cinnamon, fresh fruit, raisins, nuts, seeds and a drizzle of honey. For an omega boost, stir through 2 tablespoons chia seeds. Remember to increase the milk content by about 60 ml as they absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid. For a chocolatey breakfast fix, these make ahead cinnamon chocolate chia puddings are protein rich and taste like dessert for breakfast. Oftentimes, I have some leftover fruit compote in the fridge or stashed away in the freezer, which is lovely dolloped over the bircher.
Bircher muesli is the ideal choice for late risers who don’t have the time to rustle up a wholesome breakfast. Make the night before in sealable jam jars and store in the refrigerator. Grab one on your way out in the morning. For sustained energy and a wholesome start to the day, there’s nothing more satisfying than creamy overnight bircher muesli.
Creamy overnight bircher muesli
- 140 g (1 cup) whole rolled oats
- 250 ml (1 cup) Greek yoghurt
- 160 ml (2/3 cup) full cream milk
- 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) cinnamon
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) honey
- 1 crisp apple, grated
- 30 g (2 tablespoons) raisins
- 100 g mixed berries, to serve
- handful almonds flakes, toasted
- tahini or nut butter, to finish (optional)
Place the oats, yoghurt, milk, cinnamon and honey in a bowl. Stir to combine. Add the grated apple and fold through. Spoon the muesli into individual jars and close with sealable lids. Chill overnight.
Before serving, mix through the raisins. Top each portion with fresh blueberries, toasted seeds and a drizzle of honey.
For more healthy and delicious breakfast recipes, you may want to breeze past these:
Chocolate yoghurt breakfast toasts
16 Comments. Leave new
It is definitely worth a try Di.
So convenient and super delicious Habi!
What a lovely muesli! The perfect breakfast! Your photos are stunning, as always!
Thank you Zirkie. I could quite literally eat oats everyday, especially in this muesli.
Had this for breakfast the last two mornings. Yum! Quick, easy and delicious. My two girls love it too!
Great! Always a win if the kids are keen on healthy alternatives.
I’ve been making versions of this for a while and am glad to get your ‘Di style’ one too! It is so easy and oats is said to decrease cholesterol. I have a complaint, Di. I’m meant to be doing other things but once I start on your blog, I get caught up browsing from one recipe to the next….
I’m so glad it’s a ‘positive complaint’ though Tippy! I know what you mean. I get so easily distracted by all the food that still begs to be made….
Delicious! Is it very calorific?
Not at all Victoria. If however you do want to reduce the energy value, swap the Greek yoghurt for low fat plain yoghurt and the full cream milk for fat-free milk. It’s full of fibre-rich fresh fruit and cinnamon, which adds great flavour. I usually make a big batch, keep it in the fridge, each day adding a different combination of fruit and nuts.
The Holland America Cruise Line serves this very Muesli daily for breakfast. I had it each morning on our 10 Mexico cruise! Amazing taste…so creamy good!
Don’t you just love the incredible variety of foods available on cruises. I also remember eating it on a Mediterranean cruise years ago. It had big juicy chunks of apple in it. I’m sure it was this fortifying breakfast that got us through the crazy days of sightseeing!
Oh boy – I’ve been looking for a Bircher Muesli recipe after having eaten it in Germany and this is the one. Another addition to our repertoire, thank you Di!
I’ve also eaten the most deliciously creamy Bircher overseas, in Switzerland actually. It was like pudding, so creamy. This recipe is a staple in my house. There’s also a new version for a coconut cream Bircher in the book. It’s a winner. X