The original Bircher muesli – an old classic that should not be missing from any breakfast table! The muesli lovers among you know what we mean. Because Bircher muesli is not only an extremely healthy breakfast that scores points for its good nutritional value, but it is also super tasty.
Preparation of the original Bircher muesli – here's how
It's easy to prepare and you're bound to succeed even if you're not a professional chef. We prefer to start making Bircher muesli the day before.
The first step is to simply soak the oat flakes in water. To do this, put the oats in a bowl and add cold water until the flakes are completely covered. Then put the mixture in the fridge. Now you can sleep on it for a night 😉
You see, the actual preparation doesn't take long; the longer total time is just for letting it stand, and that's easy to do overnight.
Hearty oats for Bircher muesli
We prefer to use wholegrain oats for our Bircher muesli recipe. The wholegrain version still has a bite to it even after a long soak. It also depends on how finely you grate the nuts (hazelnuts). The larger the nuts, the more bite.
If you like it more mushy, then use fine oats or small-flake oats.
The next morning, take the soft oats out of the fridge and add the milk first. Some Bircher muesli fans also like to add a dollop of yoghurt for a fresh and slightly sour note. For a vegan version, you can also use plant-based milk such as almond milk, oat milk, rice milk or soy milk.
Bircher muesli – check out our products!
Grated apples are part of the original Bircher muesli recipe.
For the original Bircher muesli recipe, all you have to do at the end is grate the apples and stir them in together with the hazelnuts. For the original Bircher muesli, the whole apple – including the seeds and core – is grated using an apple grater.
However, we can understand if you prefer to leave out the cores. The peel is important, though, as it contains most of the vitamins.
Finally, add a little lemon juice to your Bircher muesli. You can also use agave syrup from time to time to add variety and a slight sweetness. A small dash of apple juice also adds freshness and even more fruitiness. Stir everything together well until your Bircher muesli is classically creamy.
Enhancing Bircher muesli – simple recipes
Why not try Bircher muesli with different toppings ? You can vary between different flavours here.
Fresh fruit or different nuts (almonds) go particularly well with it. But you can also take your Bircher muesli to the next level in terms of flavour and garnish it beautifully with warm compote, dried fruit (dates, raisins, etc.), honey or maple syrup, seeds and spices such as cinnamon. You should also try adding chia seeds or a little linseed.
You can also add quark or natural yoghurt. After all, as we know, it is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. At Verival you will find great recipes and also our Bircher porridge as a delicious creation.
History of Bircher muesli
Incidentally, the original Bircher muesli was discovered by the Swiss doctor Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner during a hike at the beginning of the 19th century. He then made it into a healthy dietary dish for his patients and to this day it is still a popular breakfast dish all over the world. At the time, he used condensed milk as a liquid for his muesli.
Bircher muesli for breakfast – find out more!
Here is another video recipe for Bircher muesli: Bircher muesli in a jar!
Frequently asked questions
What is so special about Bircher muesli?
Oats have a high fibre content, which keeps you full for a long time after breakfast. In addition, the nuts provide the body with important and healthy fatty acids. The apples (especially when used whole) and the milk contain important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. This makes Bircher muesli the perfect energy supplier for the whole day.
Is Bircher muesli really that healthy?
There is no doubt that this classic muesli is healthy. The enormous variety of nutritious ingredients in Bircher muesli gives your body a real energy kick. The apples it contains provide plenty of vitamins and minerals. The grain gives the body the necessary fibre for healthy digestion. Nuts provide healthy fats and Bircher muesli keeps you full for a long time. This means you are less likely to experience food cravings that make you reach for unhealthy foods.
Does Bircher muesli have many calories?
Per 100 grams, Bircher muesli has about 132 calories.
Is Bircher muesli yoghurt healthy?
Some muesli fans also swear by a dollop of yoghurt in their Bircher muesli. This gives the muesli a fresh and slightly sour note. Find out for yourself how you like it best. In any case, whether refined with just milk or with yoghurt, Bircher muesli is the perfect nutritional kick and healthy start to the day.
Why should you soak rolled oats?
If you soak rolled oats for at least 30 minutes before eating them, the phytic acid splits and its content in the rolled oats is reduced. This means that the nutrients can be better absorbed by the body. Soaking also increases the general digestibility.
Which liquid should you use with Bircher muesli?
Simply use water to soak the oats. After they have swollen, add milk. For vegans, all types of plant-based milk and plant-based drinks are suitable.
Is it good to eat muesli in the evening?
Due to the high carbohydrate content, muesli is not suitable in the evening if you want to eat a low-carb diet. In that case, you should eat muesli for breakfast. You should also make sure not to eat your last meal just before going to bed.