Homemade muesli is quick and easy to prepare. Ready in minutes and fully customisable: make raw muesli or toasted muesli and make endless different flavours to keep breakfast healthy and exciting.
Holidays are a great time to pick up recipe inspiration for me. There’s nothing like coming across something to eat on holiday that you enjoy so much you know you have to recreate the recipe at home.
The food doesn't even have to be exotic. Just finding a different spin on something you eat regularly can be a fabulous find.
During a weekend trip to Vienna, I found the inspiration for a delightful pineapple muesli at a tiny neighbourhood breakfast bar. This motivated me to create this guide for making healthy homemade muesli. You'll find details for both raw muesli and toasted muesli included.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Quite simply, homemade muesli is one of the easiest recipes around. It's totally customisable to your dietary requirements and it's virtually foolproof.
Homemade muesli offers many advantages over store-bought:
- You get to pick your perfect base. Keep it simple using just oats or add flavour and texture by including other flakes and grains too
- Similarly, to make healthy muesli stick with nuts and seeds to keep the sugar content low
- Alternatively add in a little dried fruit or more indulgent treats if you feel like creating an extravagant version
- You get to decide whether to make raw muesli or toasted muesli
- It is easy to split the muesli base into 2 so you can create 2 completely seperate versions of homemade muesli from one batch of the base
- Or if you are regularly feeding a small army at breakfast you can easily scale up this recipe
This recipe for muesli is extremely quick and simple to prepare and stores well for at least a month in sealed jars. It is a great make-ahead recipe to have to hand to keep busy morning schedules on track.
In what follows you will find instructions, plenty of tips and 3 different suggestions for how to flavour a muesli base. But if you fancy a much more indulgent breakfast try this chocolate granola.
Ingredients
One of the many virtues of homemade muesli is that it is so adaptable. But all good renditions starts with a quality base.
In it's simplest form this base can be 100% oats. However, much more can be added.
What else can I add to the base?
To take your base from good to awesome, try using 50% oats with a combination of any of the following to make up the remainder:
- bran flakes
- spelt flakes
- wheat flakes
- puffed rice
- barley flakes
- rye flakes
Health food stores are a great place to pick up your selection. Holland and Barratt have a fantastic range of options to pick from.
Customising the Flavour
Once you have your base prepared you are free to throw into the mix any tasty extras your hungry heart desires and leave out anything you are less than 100% committed to enjoying.
Here are three of my favourite homemade muesli combinations:
- The Exotic One: pineapple, hazelnut, poppyseed and rose petal (deliciously different)
- The Nutty One: coconut, pecan, pistachio and hazelnut (a great low sugar option)
- The Crowdpleaser: hazelnut, almond, raisin and date (even the kids will love it)
All of these options are detailed fully in the recipe card. They do all contain pumpkin and/ or sesame seeds too but these can be omitted depending on preferences and/ or dietary requirements.
And remember, nothing is set in stone when making homemade muesli. Think of the base oat recipe provided as an adventure playground for flavours. Vary the nuts. Vary the seeds. Make it your own. And, most importantly, make it suit your taste preferences.
More Goodies to Add-in
Here are a few other worthy additions to consider adding to the muesli base:
- any dried fruits
- freeze-dried fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries
- cocoa nibs
- crystalised ginger (a little goes a long way)
- goji berries
- dark chocolate chips (a little indulgent but lower in sugar compared to milk or white chocolate)
- dried banana chips
- ground spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg
Again, browse your health food store and see what catches your eye. Play around and have some fun coming up with your own favourite flavours.
Step by Step Instructions
How to Make Raw Muesli
It is possible to make homemade muesli using raw ingredients in a matter of minutes:
- Measure out all selected ingredients, chopping the fruit and nuts as necessary
- Mix together in a large bowl before decanting into storage jars
This easy 5-minute raw muesli recipe is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it's how I first made my own homemade muesli. But over the years, I've discovered that toasting the base ingredients adds extra flavour and texture to the final product.
How to Make Toasted Muesli
The great news is that toasted muesli takes just 15 minutes and there is nothing complicated about it:
1. Start by scattering your oats, nuts and seeds (plus any other ingredients for your base) onto a clean, dry baking sheet and mix. Cook in a preheated oven for 7 minutes
2. Toss and turn the part toasted base using a large metal spoon, then return to the oven for a further 7 minutes
3. Remove from the oven, let cool on the baking sheet, then mix in the remaining ingredients, such as the dried fruit (and rose petals if using)
And that's it! The muesli is ready to be decanted into a large sealable jar and stored for up to 1 month.
Expert Tips
- The biggest tip I can give you when it comes to this recipe for muesli is to let your imagination run riot. You'll be surprised at your own creativity when it comes to dreaming up flavour combinations
- That said, do think out your base and the additions carefully. Aim to include some nuts and some seeds (dietary requirements permitting) to create a breakfast full of nutritional value
- Try to avoid adding excessive amounts of dried fruits as this will bump up the sugar content of your breakfast
- Aim for 50g-75g fruit and around 75g-100g nuts & seeds combined per 250g base for a good balance of flavour and texture
- When it comes to toasting the base, do remember to stir it partway through the cooking time to achieve an even toasting of ingredients
- Always let the toasted muesli cool completely before transferring to a storage jar. This ensures the toasted ingredients stay crisp and fresh
- Likewise, always secure the lid straight after taking a serving out of the jar to retain maximum freshness. Rather like cookies, homemade muesli will lose it's freshness when left out for too long
Frequently Asked Questions
If your base is 100% oat-based then you can certainly use your homemade muesli to make overnight oats. Simply follow your usual recipe regarding the quantities of oats and milk.
It can also be used to make Bircher muesli (the original overnight oats). Simply soak your muesli in water, milk or apple juice overnight, then stir through some grated apple just before serving.
Muesli made with a mix of oats and other cereals and grains may not be so suitable as some of the grains may turn too mushy to be enjoyable.
Again, if the base is 100% oat-based it will heat superbly well. Add equal parts muesli and liquid (milk, non-dairy milk or water) and cook, stirring frequently until thick and creamy. The result will be similar to porridge with plenty of additions cooked right in.
As above, success when made with a mixed base is more variable.
All ingredients listed in my recipe card are vegan. Check any alternative add-ins are suitable for a vegan diet before adding to the base.
Those following a gluten-free diet need to ensure that all ingredients they plan on including are gluten-free. Although oats do not contain gluten, during production they can become contaminated by other cereals that do contain gluten. Similarly, not all of the additional base options I have listed are gluten-free, so do check the packaging before using in this recipe.
More Tasty Ideas for Breakfast:
Homemade Muesli
Ingredients
For the Muesli Base
- 250 g/ 9oz Jumbo oats see notes for alternative suggestions
For the Pineapple, Hazelnut, Poppyseed and Rose Muesli
- 60 g/ 2 oz Dried pineapple chopped
- 60 g/ 2 oz Hazelnuts roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon Poppyseeds
- 2 teaspoon Crushed rose petals (optional) ensure they are edible
- 3 tablespoon Pumpkin seeds
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon Salt (optional)
For the Nutty Muesli
- 30 g/ 1 oz Pecan nuts roughly chopped
- 30 g/ 1 oz Pistachio nuts
- 30 g/ 1 oz Hazelnuts roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon Desiccated coconut
- 2 tablespoon Pumpkin seeds
- ½ teaspoon Salt (optional)
For the Crowd Pleasing Muesli
- 30 g/ 1 oz Blanched almonds halved
- 30 g/ 1 oz Hazelnuts roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon Pumpkin seeds
- 45 g/ 1 ½ oz Raisins
- 45 g/ 1 ½ oz Dates chopped
- ½ teaspoon Salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150C/ 300F/ GM 2
- Scatter your chosen muesli base onto a large baking sheet and add the chopped nuts and seeds (plus the dessicated cconut if making the nutty muesli). Mix briefly then cook for 7 minutes
- Use a large metal spoon to stir and tuern the muesli base then cook for a further 7 minutes
- Set aside to cool completely, then stir through the remaining ingredients and store in an airtight container
Notes
Alternative Options for the Muesli Base
To take your base from good to awesome, try using 50% oats (125g) with a combination of any of the following to make up the remaining 50% (125g):- bran flakes
- spelt flakes
- buckwheat groats (for extra crunch and chew)
- wheat flakes
- puffed rice
- barley flakes
- rye flakes
Expert Tips
- When it comes to toasting the base, do remember to stir it partway through the cooking time to ensure the ingredients are evenly toasted
- Always let the muesli cool completely before transferring to a storage jar. This ensures the toasted ingredients stay crisp and fresh
- Likewise, always secure the lid straight after taking a serving out of the jar to retain maximum freshness. Rather like cookies, homemade muesli will lose it’s freshness when left out for too long
- All ingredients listed in my recipe card are vegan. If a vegan muesli is required, do check any alternative add-ins are suitable adding
- Those following a gluten-free diet need to ensure that all ingredients they plan on including are gluten-free. Although oats do not contain gluten, during production they can become contaminated by other cereals that do contain gluten. Similarly, not all of the additional base options I have listed are gluten-free, so do check the packaging before using in this recipe.
Beth
Homemade muesli is the absolute best way to start the day! This is so hearty and healthy!
Jane Saunders
Thanks Beth.
Barbara
I love muesli, I put about 1/3 of a cup in a jar 1/2 cup milk cover jar and shake. Place in fridge over night. In the morning add a flavored yogurt to taste. Or just stir and eat. Its great that way.
Jane Saunders
It's such a great way to start the day - sounds like you have some good variations going on to keep things fresh!
Nellie Tracy
This is a great dish! So delicious!!
Miranda
Your trip sounds great! I'm always looking for new muesli recipes to try out, this sounds great!
Jane Saunders
Ah, I'm pleased you like it - and yes, the weekend break was great fun.
Meghan | Fox and Briar
Oh, your trip to Vienna sounds amazing! I would love to go there someday. I have never made muesli but I like the idea of it being totally adaptable. And you added roses! Love it.
Jane Saunders
Do you have a special anniversary date coming up? Though I go with my BFF not my man I can tell it's a very romantic city... or just grab your girlfriends and head off. I never would have thought of adding roses to my morning muesli before this trip 😉 And you'd love the Nachtmarkt.
Mimi
This is almost too pretty to eat!
Jane Saunders
thankyou Mimi
Joanne Higginson
Fan-bloody-tastic my good friend. An amazing recipe, travel tips and a particularly amusing photo!!
Jane Saunders
Haha. I thought you would like it.