Bircher Muesli is a popular Swiss oatmeal made up of raw nuts and seeds, shredded apple, fresh or dried fruit, and oats. The mixture is soaked in milk for a few hours, or overnight. A Swiss physician, Maximilian Bircher-Brenner, introduced this classic treat to his patients in the 19th century and the rest is history.

Have no fear grain-free fans: The oats are replaced with nuts, seeds, and fruit. If you're gluten-free and eat quinoa, you can replace some of the nuts and seeds with quinoa flakes. If you're staying low carb, replace the fruit with more nuts and seeds and use a low carb sweetener to bring the sweetness up a bit. See the recipe notes for your options.

I've been eating granola with coconut milk a lot lately but really wanted something a bit more like porridge. Enter this easy, no-bake recipe that works as breakfast, snack, or treat. It's a great substitute for processed cereals and granola, easy to store and grab, and is naturally sweet.

Gather a mix of nuts and seeds, pulse them in a food processor, or chop by hand, to your liking, add dried fruits and anything else your heart desires, and then soak everything in milk. The texture will depend somewhat on what you add and how long you soak the mix. I soak mine for at least a few hours before diving in, or overnight, and it lasts in the refrigerator for about four days. When I add quinoa flakes it's a bit thicker and more like porridge.

You can store it in one big bowl in the refrigerator, or spread the mix across individual jars and place them in the refrigerator for quick meals over the next few days.

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Bircher Muesli {grain-free}

Apple: you can shred them in a food processor, or by hand. If you don't have an apple, try fresh berries or a pear.

Lemon juice: I skip this step if I add a bit of yogurt or whey because I prefer it a bit more on the sweet side, but up to you.

Dried fruit: cherries, raisins, figs, and dates work well and add sweetness. If you're trying to limit carbs, leave these out.

Seeds or nuts: Sunflower seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, pecans, almonds, or any mix works really. If you have nut allergies, stick with just seeds.

Milk: I favor full-fat coconut milk for a creamier texture, but any milk works here. You may need a bit more milk depending on your other ingredients. Nuts don't soak up much milk, but chia seeds and quinoa flakes do.

Yogurt: A bit of yogurt makes it creamier and tangier. I usually just add a bit of the whey (liquid that settles on top of the yogurt). When I do add yogurt I also add a drizzle of maple syrup or honey to balance out the tang.

Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Salt: a pinch of salt elevates the flavor and can be added at any time. Optionally, you can add about a ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and vanilla extract, or a pinch of vanilla bean powder to bring up the sweetness further.

You can store it in one big bowl in the refrigerator, or spread the mix across individual jars and place them in the refrigerator for quick meals over the next few days.

If you replace some of the nuts and seeds with quinoa flakes it becomes a bit thicker and more like porridge.

If it gets too thick after being refrigerated, add a bit of water or milk to it.

I've also turned this into a nut and seed porridge by grinding the nuts and seeds until in crumbles before combing it with the apple and milk.

Servings: servings

Calories: 287kcal

Ingredients

1 large apple shredded
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup pecans chopped
¼ cup pepitas
¼ cup almond slices
½ cup raisins or other dried fruit
1 ½ cups coconut milk or other milk; more as needed
fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, drizzle of honey or maple syrup as toppings optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add the shredded apple and lemon juice to a bowl and blend with a spoon or spatula.
Add the nuts and seeds to a food processor and pulse a bit to chop them. Or chop them by hand.
In a large bowl, combine the nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and any spices or salt you're adding. Mix to blend well using a spatula or spoon.
Add the shredded apple mix to the bowl and blend well using a spatula or spoon.
Add the milk and yogurt or whey if you're adding it.
Blend well, cover and leave in the refrigerator for at least a few hours or overnight.
Store in the refrigerator for a few days.

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Bircher Muesli {grain-free}

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Nutrition

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