Overnight oats have become a common breakfast idea with tons of variations - but what about the original idea they are all stem from? Swiss Bircher muesli is a delicious combination that's both creamy and fruity. It's a healthy, easy breakfast you need to try!
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Much as I try, I am just not naturally a morning person. It can sometimes take me a little time to get going and I definitely work better going on auto-pilot to get things ready.
As a result, anything easy or made ahead really helps. Banana oatmeal is one of our go-tos, and I love this Swiss Bircher muesli as the weather gets warmer as well. It's full of flavor, easy and delicious.
The origins of Swiss Bircher muesli
Overnight oats seem to be making the rounds quite a bit at the moment as an almost-new phenomenon. However, the idea has in fact been around for a good century or more thanks to a Swiss doctor/nutritionist Maximillian Bircher-Benner.
He created it as a way to get his patients to eat more fruit. When you look at this recipe and hopefully try it, think of the beautiful mountains of Switzerland and all that goes with it.
This bircher muesli may not look much, but it is simple and delicious. The oats are smooth and the apple has a slight crunch. The whole think fresh and wonderfully healthy feeling. The images of goat-herders, lakes and mountains are easy enough to picture alongside.
Unfortunately this idyllic tranquility was a far cry from what was going on in our house when I first shared this recipe.
The side effects of winter
When I first shared this recipe almost exactly 3 years ago (how did that happen?!), it had been quite the winter. We'd had excessive amounts of snow, and sadly it was far from away by the first week of March.
It was doing this weird and annoying thing earlier of snowing some more (as if we needed it), then raining only a few hours later, then warming slightly and melting so there was some delightful slush all over the place. Yuck.
In the midst of all this, our roof was apparently not too keen on the snow and ice that had held on for the last month and we had the odd drip down on the inside of our windows over recent weeks. Not great, but not too drastic.
One morning, however, we had a drip elsewhere that was a much bigger issue - coming through the smoke alarm. Unsurprisingly the alarm soon went off. I say 'alarm' but actually all four or five that we have in the house went off and there was no stopping them without taking out the batteries and turning off all the electricity.
By which time, I felt like I was going deaf and my son had decided he didn't want his cereal after all but instead ate my toast. Thankfully, he didn't take my coffee or there really would have been a problem.
Now somehow I must have had some foresight this would happen. I had soaked some oats the night before to make this Bircher muesli. I thought I would have it as a bit of a snack or part of lunch (I had been having some more breakfast-like lunches recently).
Instead, they were to become my breakfast and a pretty great one at that. So much so that I almost relaxed and temporarily forgot about all that was going on.
How to make Bircher muesli
Bircher muesli is really easy to make. You simply soak the oats overnight, add some grated apple then additions as you prefer. I have just added some raisins and a little cinnamon and yoghurt since I soaked the oats in apple juice.
Some people soak them in milk, others soak them in water. I find apple juice gives them a lovely freshness and sweetness that means there's no need to add any other sugar.
Also, importantly, the oats don't go soggy.
When you finish them off, it will seem like quite a lot of apple compared to the oats, but it is meant to be that way. That is partly what makes it so tasty. You still taste both but it is fruitily fresh.
Tips for the best Bircher muesli
- Don't worry that you have too much liquid when you soak the oats - they do absorb nearly all of it. You can use a little less if you want to make sure there is no runniness at all.
- If you forget to soak the night before, even soaking 20 minutes or so in the morning will soften the oats a bit. I'd recommend you just use less liquid.
- The apples are best coarsely grated to leave a bit of crunch since the oats become soft. If you want it all really soft, then finely grating also works - this is great for young kids.
- The little yoghurt at the end then gives them a slight creaminess without it being too much (you can miss it out or use non-dairy yoghurt if you are looking for a dairy-free version).
- Top your Bircher muesli as you like - some slices of apple, nuts or more dried fruit are all good.
We did, thankfully, get the electrics checked and all was fine. And while I certainly wouldn't wish the same circumstances again, it did have an upside. It was a nice excuse to have this Swiss Bircher muesli as a really tasty breakfast that I hadn't had in a while.
Hopefully you won't have such a dramatic situation, but I would really recommend you give these a go. And think cow bells, not smoke alarm sounds, as you do.
Try these other overnight oat recipes:
- Mango strawberry overnight oats
- Orange overnight oats
- Plus get many more breakfast recipes in the archives.
Swiss Bircher muesli (the original overnight oats)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats would suggest old fashioned, not quick oats
- ½ cup apple juice a little under maybe, there is a little liquid left with this
- ½ apple (suggest eg pink lady, braeburn)
- 2 tablespoon raisins approx
- 2 tablespoon yoghurt (or dairy free as appropriate)
- 1 dash cinnamon
Instructions
- Cover the oats with the apple juice and leave to soak overnight in the refrigerator.
- In the morning, peel and coarsely grate the apple and add this, the raisins, yoghurt and cinnamon to the oats.
- Stir well and serve.
Nutrition
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This post was originally posted March 2015 and has been updated primarily with new photos.
Ieva says
Great recipe! We never made bircher muesli before, so I don't have a point of reference, but I loved it! Deliciously creamy and such a wonderful option when you're in a rush to get out the door in the morning. We sliced some extra apple on top, just like you did, and did enjoy a bit of juicy fresh crunch with it too 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad to hear you enjoyed!
Olu says
Hi Caroline, I have NEVER commented on a recipe website before but this was soooooooo good I had to let you know. Thank you very much for sharing. I absolutely loved it and love that it is so versatile so I can be a little adventurous with it. Trying to get back to loving oats again as I went off it some time ago and this is just the ticket! THANK YOU for sharing!!!❤️
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad to hear you are enjoying - it is a favorite of mine and agree, great to play around with add-ins too.
Tavo says
The perfect breakfast! I love this muesli.
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad to hear, it's one of my favorites as well.
Janet Ward says
Not too bad a version! My mother learnt how to make Bircher-Benner muesli at a maternity home(she was last there in 1954) run by Dr Pink and Dr White who, in turn, had learnt from the great man.
The essentials are coarsely grated whole apple, oats, milk, honey and nuts. The oats do not need to be soaked overnight, that would make the mix all to sludgy anyway.
Drs P & W blended in a good dollop of cashew nut butter (with *un*-roasted cashews, of course) into the milk (do this as part of the general mixing process). They said that this muesli was now the equivalent of mother's milk!
(Not sure about the 'decorative' apple slices, gives the 'wrong' texture.)
Caroline's Cooking says
What a great way to learn! They don't necessarily need to be soaked overnight, but some softening even if just 10 or more minutes in the morning definitely helps. Swiss friends soak overnight and it does help make things quicker in the morning if nothing else. (And the decorative apple slices are just that, decorative :))
Karin M says
Being Swiss and making this all the time I have to disagree with Janet. Soaking the oats is a must even though as stated by the author, it doesn’t necessarily have to be overnight. Works also great with orange juice or milk (including oat, almond, coconut...).
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, and yes so many options on what to soak the oats with.
Amy Nash says
This is such a great breakfast idea! I love how easy the recipe is and your photos are beautiful!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree it's wonderfully easy and so tasty too.
Susanne says
I will have to try this for breakfast. After reading the recipe I'm positive I would love it!!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it's such an easy but delicious combination. Enjoy!
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says
I really love that this recipe uses apple juice...I can't wait to try it out and taste the difference!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Colleen, it helps it to be lovely and fresh, with a nice sweetness. That said I use fresh-pressed juice that's unsweetened so it's still pretty good for you.
Morganne says
I have made this many many times before and it's always absolutely delicious!! I'm lazy and just mix all the ingredients together the night before and it turns out great everytime. I also use almond milk instead of apple juice and it's delicious.
Caroline's Cooking says
So glad you have been enjoying! Indeed, it's fine to mix everything the night before - I only generally add the apple right before eating to have it slightly crisper and to avoid browning.
Karen @Karen's Kitchen stories says
What a memory! This bowl of muesli must have been comforting after all of that weather trauma to your house!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, indeed it was! But even having it on a less dramatic day is wonderful as well 😉
Shelby says
Eeks, I can't imagine all alarms going off! I'd say you deserved this for breakfast! I like that you soak in apple juice, that to me is very different, but I bet it gives it a nice sweetness!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it wasn't exactly fun, but this did help! Yes the apple juice makes for a lovely flavor.
Mila says
I love muesli and oats, perfect and healthy breakfast! 🙂 When I dont have a time in the morning I also make such oats a day ahead. 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
I agree, it's a great way to be quick, but healthy, in the morning.
Prachi Garg says
wow ! That looks crazy good and so easy to make ! Now i am thinking, why did i never think of this 😛 Thanks for sharing Caroline ! I would be making this really soon 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Prachi. Yes it's really simple and tasty, I hope you like it- let me know what you think!
Claudia @Breakfast Drama Queen says
These look great! I make some version of overnight oats/Bircher muesli every week - although I have to admit that the classic version with grated apple is still my favorite 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, yes it is a tasty combination!
Angie says
Hi there, co-host! I hope you're having fun! 🙂
That darn alarm! It's happened to us several times. Mostly when we start a fire in the fireplace. I can't wait for the cold to go away!! 8 inches of snow yesterday, so snow day today for us, yay! That's the good thing, the bad is the shoveling. We desperately need a snow blower! The bircher muesli sounds awesome, btw. I've always used milk but I think apple juice will be refreshing. Sounds really nice!
Caroline's Cooking says
How could I not have fun, Angie, it's Fiesta Friday?! Actually our alarm is fin with the fire on, but I guess being waterlogged was a bit much - fair enough really 🙂 Good luck with the shoveling - maybe this muesli can help power you through! I do like milk for hot oats, but somehow juice feels a better fit when cold like this. I'd be interested to see what you think!
Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons says
One of my good friends lives down the street in Arlington, you have had a time of it this winter!
I had muesli for the first time on a visit to Germany, it became my regular breakfast. Definitely yummy and filling, perfect for snowy mornings.
Caroline's Cooking says
Yes, we have been a bit inundated this year! But it's a good excuse to have lots of nice comfort foods and tasty things like this muesli.
Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says
Thank you so much for co-hosting FF this week! It's one of my favorite parts of blogging! Also, your overnight oats looked tasty. I loved learning more about the origin of overnight oats too. Have a wonderful weekend. 😀
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, Kaila, I agree Fiesta Friday is a lot of fun! Glad you enjoyed learning a little about the origins - there was a lot more I might have to add some time! And I hope you manage to enjoy the oats too.