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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Homemade Crunchy Muesli

    Published: Jun 9, 2023 · Modified: Aug 2, 2024 by Amy Sandidge · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe

    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 delicious 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.

    Woman holding a white bowl of muesli.

    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.

    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.

    White bowl with muesli and fresh fruit.

    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 simple 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.

    Woman holding a bowl with yogurt and muesli on top.
    Muesli in a white bowl over yogurt.

    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.

    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. 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.
    Crunchy muesli on a baking sheet pan.
    Muesli on a baking sheet.
    Oats and pecans and coconut in a glass bowl.
    Dried fruits and cinnamon over oats in a glass bowl.
    Muesli in a glass bowl with a spoon in it.

    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.

    Woman holding a white bowl with muesli and dried fruits.

    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 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.

    Another thing I love to use this muesli for is to make my homemade muesli cookies. They are the ultimate breakfast cookie and are so good!

    Woman holding a white bowl of muesli.

    Crunchy Muesli Recipe

    Amy Sandidge
    Kickstart your day with the perfect morning treat: homemade crunchy muesli. Much like crunchy granola, muesli is traditionally crafted from oats and can be enjoyed with milk, on yogurt, or as a delightful topping for fruit cups. What sets it apart is its absence of added sugar, ensuring a wholesome blend of delicious ingredients to set your day on the right track.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings

    Equipment

    • 1 baking sheet

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups old-fashioned oats
    • ½ cup chopped pecans
    • 1 cup sliced almonds
    • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ cup pepitas
    • ½ cup chopped dried apricots
    • ½ cup dried cherries

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • Spread your oats and pecans on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes.
    • Add the coconut and sliced almonds, then bake for another 7 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
    • Mix together the oat mixture and the remaining ingredients together.
    • Store in an airtight container for about a month.

    Video

    Notes

    • 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.
    Keyword almonds, coconut, crunchy, dried cherries, muesli, oats, pecans
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    Hi, I'm Amy! I am a culinary school graduate creating a comprehensive collection of recipes, with a focus on incorporating whole grains. My goal is to craft dishes that resonate with the whole family. 

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