Homemade Crunchy Muesli

Homemade crunchy muesli is the perfect way to start your day. Similar to crunchy granola, muesli is typically made from oats. It can be eaten with milk, on top of yogurt, or as a topping for fruit cups. It's free from added sugar and full of nutritious ingredients that get your day started right.

One of the best things about muesli is that the ingredients are flexible. Dried fruit, nuts, and oats are the base, but you can swap out those as needed to fit your preferences. This recipe is a great opportunity to use leftover nuts and seeds from baking projects. It's easy to throw in an extra handful and won't affect the outcome.

This is the best homemade crunchy muesli recipe because it's simple, delicious, and toasted. While toasting isn't always part of a muesli recipe, trust me, it truly takes the recipe to the next level. In a pinch, you can enjoy this untoasted, but if you take the additional time, the roasted flavor makes this homemade crunchy muesli incredible.

Need more delicious breakfast recipes? Try my homemade granola for a simple breakfast. For fruit lovers, my easy baked peaches are the perfect sweet summer breakfast. If oatmeal is your thing, try my creamy oatmeal recipe and learn how to sweeten your oatmeal without sugar.

Why you'll love it

Filling- Since it's made with nuts and seeds, muesli is naturally filling. Lots of healthy fats and fiber make up this breakfast dish and slow down digestion, meaning you'll feel full longer, and your energy will be more sustained.

Simple ingredients- This recipe uses simple, straightforward ingredients. Many breakfast cereals and granola have lots of added sugar and preservatives. This homemade recipe is low in sugar and has whole food ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery store, no specialty store trips are needed.

Convenient- Muesli is the perfect convenience food. It can be prepped at the start of the week for a quick and easy meal that stays fresh for days. It's perfect for enjoying at home but can also easily be taken on the go in a bag or small mason jar. It's also perfect for camping trips as a quick breakfast option or even an appetizer while you wait for your cheesy campfire casserole or gooey campfire brookies to bake.

What is bircher muesli?

Bircher muesli is like overnight oats, except there are fewer oats in the mix. Bircher muesli is frequently made with milk and fresh fruit such as grated apples.

Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner originally made it a healthy breakfast option for his patients. Bircher muesli differs from regular muesli because the latter is not typically soaked and contains dried fruit pieces rather than fresh fruit.

What is the healthiest way to eat muesli?

There are lots of ways to enjoy muesli as part of a healthy lifestyle. Depending on your goals, pairing it with a protein source such as Greek yogurt can make a delicious meal. Be sure to use plain Greek yogurt that doesn't have added sweeteners. This allows you to control better what goes into your meal.

You can also eat it with milk, similar to a bowl of cereal. You can use regular milk, coconut milk, or even unsweetened almond milk. It can also be enjoyed on its own for a crunchy snack.

Should you soak muesli before eating?

You can eat muesli with or without soaking. This muesli recipe is toasted, so the nuts already have a soft crunch. If you are eating muesli that hasn’t been toasted, you may find it enjoyable to soak it overnight to soften the nuts and seeds and make them more palatable.

Ingredients

Oats- Rolled oats make a filling base for this crispy muesli. Instant and quick oats are not recommended, as the thin oat flakes may burn during toasting.

Sliced almonds- Sliced, rather than whole almonds, toast fast and are much easier to eat. They add an excellent nutty flavor and a subtle sweetness.

Coconut flakes- Toasted coconut is sweet and adds a delicious crunch. It's a nutritious ingredient with a good source of healthy fats and a low glycemic index.

Cinnamon- Ground cinnamon adds a warm flavor to the muesli and uplifts other ingredients in the mix. It enhances the qualities of the nuts and gives the muesli depth of flavor.

Pepitas- Pepitas are the green edible inside of pumpkin seeds. They're rich in magnesium as well as potassium and zinc. In addition to muesli, they're also a smart option to top salads for a crunch and even on top of porridge.

Pecans- Pecans are a classic option in granola and baked goods. They taste especially good with cinnamon making them a great choice for this cinnamon-flavored muesli. Pecans also provide a great contrasting texture to the chewy dried fruit.

Dried cherries- Dried cherries add a burst of tart fruity goodness. These are easily swapped with dried cranberries, depending on your flavor preferences. Be sure to look for unsweetened whenever possible if you are avoiding added sugar.

Dried apricots- Apricots add a delicate sweetness to the muesli. They taste similar to peaches, so feel free to swap them out if you can't find them. The great thing is these ingredients are flexible and can easily adapt to your preferences and what's in your pantry.

How to make Crunchy Muesli

• Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees while you collect the ingredients.
• Prepare a lined baking tray with parchment paper. Because of differences in size and cooking times, you'll be baking in two sections.
• First, add the oats and pecans to the baking pan. They taste the longest to cook. Bake them for 10 minutes.
• Next, add the coconut and sliced almonds and bake for an additional 7 minutes. When done, the nuts should be golden brown. They may feel soft initially but will crisp up as they cool.
• Let the toasted ingredients cool completely, then mix the dried fruit to the mix and place into an airtight container to store. Just be sure the mixture is completely cooled first. Otherwise, it will create steam in the container and ruin the batch by making it soft and introducing moisture that can grow mold.

What's the difference between granola and crunchy muesli?

While they use similar ingredients, granola and muesli have a couple of key differences. Granola is usually eaten at room temperature and has added sweeteners. Muesli, however, doesn't include added sweeteners. Any sweetness often comes from dried fruit.
Additionally, granola is typically always baked, whereas muesli can be eaten raw or slightly toasted.

Which is healthier, oatmeal or muesli?

Both oatmeal and muesli can be nutritious meal options, it really comes down to how you prepare them. Store-bought muesli tends to have a better nutritional profile and less sugar than store-bought oatmeal. However, when both are homemade, you have control over the ingredients and can avoid added sugars and artificial flavors.  

Tips and Substitutions

• One of the best things about muesli is that you can easily switch up the flavors. Adding spices such as ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger can liven up the flavor. Try experimenting with your favorite spices and blends to find your favorite combination.
• Make it your own with smart swaps. Muesli can very easily be customized to your personal tastes. Sunflower seeds, chopped hazelnuts, dried diced apples, and banana chips all taste amazing. It's a great opportunity to try something new or use up pantry leftovers by giving them a whole new way to shine.
• If you prefer a sweet muesli, try a natural sweetener. While it's not traditionally sweet, a drizzle of maple syrup, honey, or a sprinkle of coconut sugar might be what you need. These natural sweeteners have a lower glycemic index than white sugar and can be an excellent addition when used in moderation.

• Breakfast
• Oats