Muesli

By Yossy Arefi

Updated October 22, 2024

  • Yossy Arefi for The New York Times (Photography and Styling)
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
10 minutes, plus at least 1 hour’s chilling
Rating
4(1,388)
Comments
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Essentially oats soaked in fruit juice, or milk, with nuts and fruit, Bircher muesli has a long history, and enough versions floating around to prove it. The original was created in the early 1900s by Maximilian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss doctor. It consisted of oats, grated apple, nuts, lemon and condensed milk and honey, but over time, people have gotten creative with the formula. This version is a choose-your-own-adventure recipe that is great to make ahead in large or small batches. Some recipes call for apple juice or applesauce for moisture, but this version uses creamy Greek yogurt instead. Tahini adds richness, but substitute another nut butter or skip it all together if you’d rather. Swap out the nuts and dried fruit to suit your tastes and what you have. (Dates are especially nice.) Thin individual servings with more milk, if needed, then top with additional fresh fruit, nuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. It’s cool, creamy, chewy and crunchy all at once.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 1 cup/100 grams old-fashioned rolled oats

  • ½ cup/115 grams Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat)

  • ½ cup/120 milliliters milk or nondairy milk, plus more as needed

  • 2 medium apples, grated on the large holes of a box grater

  • ⅓ cup/40 grams chopped pecans

  • 2 tablespoons tahini (optional)

  • 2 tablespoons golden raisins

  • 2 tablespoons dried cherries

  • Any combination of fresh fruit, dried fruit, chopped nuts and maple syrup, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

47 grams carbs; 4 milligrams cholesterol; 347 calories; 6 grams monosaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 16 grams fat; 6 grams fiber; 50 milligrams sodium; 9 grams protein; 21 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a container with a lid, stir together the oats, yogurt, milk, apples, pecans, tahini (if using), raisins and cherries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 days.

  2. Step 2

    Stir before serving, and add a bit of milk if it has gotten too thick. Top individual servings with additional fresh or dried fruit, nuts and maple syrup.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
1,388 user ratings
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Comments

Mary Ritchie

In Switzerland, my mother-in-law always served birchermuesli for Sunday night dinner. A tradition. No maple syrup, please. Just grated apples, bananas, berries in season and yogurt. Full-fat yogurt.

G B

As a Swiss, I like the traditional, delicious, healthy version: sliced hazelnuts or sliced almonds, dash of lemon juice before serving or a little whipped cream. Oats or mix of unsweetened cereals like millet (or Bio Familia). Milk, yogurth. Sweetness should come from fruits - try it first without honey or syrup. Mix in apples quickly before they change color. Raspberries. Blueberries. Ribes. Bircher's official grater is a great souvenir from Switzerland. No need for a blender, just let sit.

Claire Duncan

I’ve never heard of this dish and I’m so glad I made it. So easy and adaptable. Perfect for warm weather climates as well. I skipped the dried fruit to avoid the sugars and added fresh blueberries instead. Nuts are clearly added for texture (this dish has nothing to do with crunchy granola). I’m going to add unsweetened coconut next time (since I have to skip the nuts due to allergies). I added Vanilla and a touch of cinnamon as well (just like making hot oatmeal). Scoop and eat!

Katherine S

Delicious! A great classic overnight oats that has a lovely texture. I added a small amount of milk in the morning before eating to loosen the texture. Also made some small modifications based on what I had - didn’t feel like a trip to the store! Replaced tahini with nut butter (almond, Brazil nut and cashew). Replaced sour cherries with dried cranberries. Replaced pecans with cashews. Look forward to eating for the next few days’ breakfast!

Mike Wallenhorst

I made mine with regular raisins, dried cherries, pecan pieces and dates and left out the tahini. I added an additional splash of milk the next morning. This is a great recipe. So much flavor, and endless possibilities starting with this as a base. Thank you.

Maria Simpson

Yummy, fresh, and easy to make. I made it per the recipe, but used sliced almonds instead of pecans because that's what I had on hand. I'll try it with berries/bananas next time and without honey.

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