Bircher Muesli Recipe (4 Ingredients, Make-Ahead)

There was a recent humorous social media video trend going around where in the first few seconds of the video, we’d see parents (mostly moms) moving about their houses cleaning, tidying, or closing their child’s door. The voiceover or screen caption would say something like, “Everything I do at night to get ahead for the next morning.” 

It would then cut to a video of the same parent zoning out and scrolling on their phone. I found it extraordinarily funny (and validating) because while my nights used to be much more productive, these days I’m much too exhausted to do much at night and often get ready for bed when my kids do. 

But, even in my zonked state, I try to spend a couple of nights a week preparing a make-ahead breakfast for the following day(s). Sometimes it’s muffins or baked oatmeal, but once a week, I lean into a simple 4-ingredient Bircher muesli that takes just a few minutes to prepare. 

It’s my solution to morning decision fatigue and is one of the most low-effort, high-reward breakfasts in my rotation.

What Is Muesli?

Muesli is a Swiss breakfast dish made from a mix of grains, nuts, seeds, and/or dried fruit. Unlike granola, which is similar, the ingredients for muesli aren’t baked, and are instead most often stirred raw into yogurt or milk. A combination of oats and raw apple, soaked overnight in milk, is referred to as “Bircher museli,” named for its inventor, Maximilian Bircher-Benner.

In my version of Bircher muesli, the base is a mix of grated apples for sweetness, oats for sustenance, Greek yogurt for creaminess and protein, and milk to pull it all together. It comes together in about 5 minutes and sits overnight, turning into a creamy, lightly sweet, and deeply satisfying breakfast.

From there, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure for my family: cinnamon and honey for warmth, almonds and berries for crunch, or even peanut butter and cocoa powder for something indulgent. We sometimes add nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruit, or a sweetener to the OG mix. My favorite combination involves topping my muesli with a dollop of peach, berry, or cherry chia jam and chopped, toasted pistachios.

No matter how we make it, it’s quick, satisfying, and almost keeps my kids full until lunch. Best of all, it’s one less morning responsibility! Everyone just has to grab a spoon and enjoy.

How To Make My 4-Ingredient Muesli

To make four to six servings, you’ll need:

• 2 medium to large sweet, crunchy apples, grated 
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 pinch salt, optional

In a medium bowl, stir together the grated apple, oats, yogurt, milk, and salt, if using. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve bowls of Bircher muesli cold with any toppings you choose, and store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. If the muesli becomes too thick for your liking, add a splash of milk.

Endless Variations On My 4-Ingredient Muesli

• Flavor variations: Cinnamon, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice blend add warmth and depth, while orange or lemon zest and/or a squeeze of the juice brightens the entire dish.
• Dried fruit: To sweeten the whole bowl and add color and texture, a small amount of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates (my favorite) melt into the mixture and introduce natural sweetness and lightly chewy texture. 
• Sneaky nutrients: Chia, flax, or hemp seeds are a quick, nutritious addition to the mixture and can be added during the initial preparation or after. If you’re adding chia or flax, be sure to also add more liquid to account for how much the seeds will absorb. 
• Sweeteners: A drizzle of honey, maple syrup, and date syrup can be used as a sweet garnish, but I’d recommend trying it as-is first and sweetening individual servings to your liking. The apple gives it a good amount of natural sweetness to start.
• Fresh fruit: Almost any fresh (or thawed, frozen) fruit is fair game. I love adding diced peaches, mangoes, or nectarines in the summer, strawberries in the spring, and bananas, blueberries, raspberries, and chopped blackberries year-round. Thawed frozen berry blends release natural juices and add gorgeous color and an understated sweetness. 
• Crunchy elements: Chopped toasted seeds, nuts, coconut, or granola provide satisfying texture and healthy fats. The contrast between creamy muesli and crunchy toppings keeps things interesting.
• Nut and seed butter: A swirl of peanut butter, almond butter, or tahini adds creamy richness, plant-based protein, and nutty depth that transforms the muesli from simple to sublime.