This easy muesli recipe walks you through making homemade breakfast cereal. It's gluten-free, vegan, quick, inexpensive, and delicious!
Growing up, I absolutely loved breakfast cereals. I ate them as a snack, ate multiple bowls for breakfast on a regular basis, and loved mixing together different kinds to make my own cereal concoctions.
As I got older, however, I started noticing something upsetting. Cereal is EXPENSIVE! Plus, even the "healthier" choices tended to have quite a bit more sugar than I was happy about.
For a long time, I stopped eating cereal. But I missed it. A lot. This easy muesli recipe is the solution to my breakfast cereal woes-- a homemade breakfast cereal that's easy, affordable, and even more delicious than store-bought cereal.
What is Muesli?
Muesli is a type of breakfast cereal that's usually made from a grain (like rolled oats), dried fruit, nuts (and sometimes seeds), and some type of sweetener.
It can be eaten uncooked or toasted, hot or cold.
Are Muesli and Granola the Same Thing?
No. They're very similar, but granola usually has some type of fat added (like butter or oil), and is typically baked.
The texture is also different-- the added fat in granola causes the grains, nuts, and fruit to cluster together in larger pieces. Muesli is a looser mixture without large clusters.
Granola can be eaten on its own as a snack, while muesli is usually eaten like a cereal with milk or a non-dairy milk.
Want to make granola instead? Try this version with peanut butter!
Can I Use Steel-Cut Oats?
No. To use oats in a muesli recipe, you'll want to stick to rolled oats, not steel-cut oats or instant oats.
Rolled oats have been partially cooked, and then rolled out. They're safe to eat raw or toasted, but won't turn to mush in your cereal bowl.
Can I Use Other Grains in This Muesli Recipe?
Yes, but stick to hulled and rolled grains when you're making a muesli recipe. These will be easier to digest, and will soften when they sit in milk.
Rolled oats are the easiest to find, but you can also find rolled barley, rolled rye, or rolled spelt.
Do I Have to Toast the Grains?
No. You can skip toasting the grains, but toasting will improve the flavor, only takes about ten minutes, and can be done ahead of time.
Can I Use Fresh Fruit Instead of Dried Fruit?
Yes. If you prefer, skip the dried fruit and add fresh fruit right before serving. (Or be crazy, and use both dried fruit and fresh fruit.)
Keep in mind that adding fruit adds more sugar to the cereal.
Can I Skip the Sweetener in a Muesli Recipe?
Of course. You could also add honey, maple syrup, or sugar to taste as you're eating the cereal.
In my opinion, you get the best flavor from this muesli recipe by adding just a little drizzle of maple syrup to the grains before you toast them.
Muesli Recipe Step-by-Step
To make this muesli recipe, simply line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicon baking sheet. Spread the grains out over the liner, add the nuts, and drizzle a little maple syrup (or your favorite sweetener) over the grains.
Toast them in the oven until the grains are golden, and then pour them into an airtight container. Stir in some dried fruit, and your homemade cereal is ready to go!
Want more COOKING BASICS? Try these:
Want more BREAKFAST recipe ideas? Try these:
- The Best Oatmeal Recipe: Roasted Grape Oatmeal
- Crock-Pot Grits
- Slow Cooker Oatmeal with Winter Fruit
Muesli Recipe: How to Make Homemade Breakfast Cereal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (See recipe notes)
- ¼ cup nuts or seeds
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (See recipe notes)
- ¼ cup dried fruit
- To Serve: milk or non-dairy milk substitute
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a silicon baking sheet. Spread the oats and nuts over the baking sheet, and drizzle the syrup over the oats. Note: If using aluminum foil, spray or brush the foil with oil to prevent sticking.
- Toast the oats in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the oats are golden. Note: Some nuts will burn faster than others. Start checking on the oats and nuts at 8 minutes, and take the tray out of oven early if the nuts are getting dark.
- Take the tray out of the oven, and allow the mixture to cool.
- Cut any large pieces of dried fruit into small, bite-sized pieces. Stir the fruit into the oat mixture.
- Serve cereal immediately with either cold or hot milk, or store in an air-tight container or bag. Use within 1-2 weeks, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
- Oats, Pecans, Maple Syrup, and Dried Cranberries
- Oats, Almonds, Honey, and Dried Blueberries
- Oats, Walnuts, Maple Syrup, and Dried Figs
- Oats, Maple Syrup, Toast coconut, Cacao Nibs or Chocolate Chips (Add the cacao nibs or chocolate after the cereal cools)
Cynthia Daniels says
Growing up I was never a huge cereal fan but this stuff is amazing. Its quick, easy and so tasty. My husband loves it too. It also gives me peace of mind knowing exactly what is in it. No preservatives or other weird things that I can't even pronounce.
champagne-tastes says
Yay!!! I’m so glad you love it!! ????
Jennifer says
I love how easy this is. I have never made muesli, but I have made granola. We are gluten free and its great that this is naturally gluten free when you use gf oats. I stopped eating cereal for many of the same reasons when I went gluten free, so I am excited to try this and enjoy a healthy cereal for breakfast again.
champagne-tastes says
I hope this works for you!!
Amy Nash says
This muesli looks so wonderful and I love how easy it is to make and customize. I have never been a big fan of traditional cereal but I really do love a good muesli, especially with nuts in it. Your photos are gorgeous, btw!
champagne-tastes says
Thanks Amy!!
Megan Marlowe says
My husband absolutely loves oatmeal so I am going to make this for him and see if he'll enjoy it. He always just grabs the packs of oatmeal that are packed with sugar but this would be so much healthier for him. He can add whatever he likes, while keeping the sugar in check.
champagne-tastes says
This is definitely SO MUCH healthier than the oatmeal packets 😀
Anna says
I absolutely love making homemade muesli! It's so easy and you can add whatever you like. My kids love to make their own batches. So delicious!
Patty says
Very interesting post, I love how you detail the difference between granola and muesli. We love muesli in my family but we don't like it mushy, thanks for explaining about that too! I'll try your way a.s.a.p.
Brandy Myers says
We eat a lot of granola in our house but have never had muesli. Looks like my kids can whip it up for a weekend breakfast by themselves if I have it pre-made. Like granola it seems the flavor possibilities are endless with different nuts, dried fruits and sweeteners.
champagne-tastes says
Your kids could totally make their own breakfast if this was premade in your cabinet 😀
Sophia Charlotte says
AMAZING RECIPE! I made it ♡ and my bf lovesssss it, said it look like cafe style! Thank you so much to bring the amazing fruit to another level. Love it! 😍
Sarah Trenalone says
Yay!!!! I’m so glad you loved it. This is one of my favorites ☺️