The original Bircher Muesli – an old classic that must not be missed on the breakfast table! The muesli lovers among you know what we mean. Because the Bircher Müsli is not only an extremely healthy breakfast that boasts good nutritional values, but it is also super tasty.

Bircher Muesli Original Basic Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 g tender oatmeal
- Water
- 600 ml milk
- 1 lemon
- 4 apples
- 4 tbsp grated or chopped hazelnuts
Preparation
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Place the oatmeal in a bowl and cover it with water.
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Place the mixture in the fridge and let it swell for at least an hour.
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Remove the oatmeal from the fridge in the morning and add the milk.
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Rub the apples over the muesli and stir them in.
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Sprinkle the grated or chopped hazelnuts over the cereal.
Tip
Preparation of the original Bircher muesli – that's how it's done
The preparation is very easy, and you will certainly succeed even if you are not a professional chef. We prefer to start with the Birchermüesli the day before.
As a first step, simply soak the oatmeal in water. To do this, place the oats in a bowl and add cold water until the flakes are completely covered. Then put the mixture in the cold. Now it's time to let it sit overnight😉.
You will see that the actual preparation does not take long; the longer total time is only achieved by leaving it alone, which is done overnight in a very uncomplicated way.
Kerny oatmeal for Bircher muesli
For our Bircher Muesli recipe, we prefer to use gritty oatmeal. The gritty version still has a bite even after soaking for a long time. It also depends on how finely you chop the nuts (hazelnuts). The bigger the nuts, the more bite.
If you like it more mushy, use fine oatmeal or small leaf flakes.
The next morning, remove the soft oatmeal from the fridge and add the milk first. Some muesli fans also swear by a dollop of yogurt in the Bircher muesli. This gives the muesli a fresh and slightly sour note. For a vegan variant , you can also use plant-based milk such as almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, or soy drink.

Grated apples belong in the Bircher Muesli original recipe
With the original Bircher Muesli recipe, all you have to do is grate the apples and stir them in together with the hazelnuts. With the original Bircher Muesli, the whole apple – including seeds and core – is grated with an apple grater.
However, we understand if you prefer to leave out the seeds. Nevertheless, the peel is important because it contains the most vitamins.
Finally, add some lemon juice to your Bircher muesli. You are welcome to use agave syrup from time to time; it brings variety and a slight sweetness. Even a small dash of apple juice gives freshness and even more fruitiness. Stir everything well until your Bircher Muesli becomes classically creamy.
Refining Bircher Muesli – simple recipes
Try the Bircher Müsli with different toppings . You can wonderfully vary between different flavors here.
Fresh fruit or different nuts (almonds) are particularly suitable. But also with warm compote, dried fruit (dates), raisins,...), honey or maple syrup, seeds, and spices such as cinnamon, you can take your Bircher muesli to the next level in terms of taste and garnish it beautifully. Try adding chia seeds or some flaxseed as well.
You are also welcome to mix in cottage cheese or plain yogurt. Because as you know, the eye eats with you. 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 at the beginning of the 19th century by the Swiss doctor Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner during a hike. He then made it a healthy diet for his patients, and it is still a popular breakfast dish all over the world today. At that time, he used condensed milk as a liquid for his cereal.
Here is another alternative video recipe for Bircher muesli: Bircher muesli in a glass!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is so special about Bircher muesli?
Oatmeal has a high fiber content, which keeps you full for a very long time after breakfast. In addition, the nuts provide the body with important and healthy fatty acids. Apples (mainly used whole) and milk contain important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals. This makes the Bircher Muesli the optimal energy source for the whole day.
Is Bircher Muesli really that healthy?
That this cereal classic is healthy is undisputed. The enormous variety of nutrient-rich ingredients in Bircher Müsli makes it a true energy boost for the body. The apples they contain provide plenty of vitamins and minerals. The grains provide the necessary fiber for healthy digestion. Nuts provide healthy fats, and Bircher muesli will keep you full for a long time. This means that there are fewer cravings that lead you to reach for unhealthy options.
Does Bircher Muesli have a lot of calories?
Bircher muesli has about 132 calories per 100 grams.
Is Bircher cereal yogurt healthy?
Some muesli fans also swear by a dollop of yogurt in the 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 only with milk or with yogurt, the Bircher Muesli is the optimal nutritional kick and a healthy start to the day.
Why should you soak oatmeal?
If oatmeal is soaked for at least 30 minutes before consumption, the phytic acid breaks down, and its content in the oatmeal decreases. This allows the nutrients to be better absorbed by the body. The overall wholesomeness is also increased by soaking.
Which liquid for Bircher Muesli?
Simply use water to soak the oatmeal. After soaking, milk is added. Of course, all plant-based milk varieties and plant-based drinks are suitable for vegans.
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 low-carb at night. Instead, you should have cereal for breakfast. Additionally, you should also take care not to consume your last meal just before bedtime.