Birchermüesli
Birchermüesli is the Swiss breakfast dish that revolutionised how the Western world eats whole grains, created in the late 19th century by the Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients at his sanatorium in Zürich. Bircher-Benner strongly believed in the benefits of unprocessed raw foods and developed the recipe as a nourishing, easily digestible alternative to the traditional meat-heavy breakfast of the era. The original version was much simpler and more watery than modern variants, conceived more as a light evening dessert than the hearty morning meal known today. Over time, the recipe evolved to include more rolled oats and less water, becoming the dense, filling morning meal it is now. The full name, combining the doctor's name and the Swiss word for porridge, remains a testament to its medical heritage, though today it's simply enjoyed as a delicious, healthy breakfast.
Soaked oats
Rolled oats left to soak overnight in milk or water
Grated apple
Raw grated apple adds juiciness and sweetness
Condensed milk
A little condensed milk or yoghurt for creaminess
Nuts and hazelnuts
Scattered on top for crunch
Ingredients 4 servings
- 150 g rolled oats
- 300 ml milk
- 2 large apples, grated
- 3 tbsp condensed milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 50 g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 50 g hazelnuts, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp raisins
- Honey for serving
How to make it
- 1Put the rolled oats in a large bowl and pour the milk over them, mixing well.
- 2Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours, so the oats soften completely.
- 3The next day, finely grate one of the apples directly into the oat mixture, squeezing lemon juice over it to prevent browning.
- 4Stir condensed milk into the oat porridge, adjusting the amount to your preferred sweetness.
- 5Grate the second apple right before serving, to keep its freshness and crisp texture.
- 6Fold the grated apple into the oat porridge, then add the soaked raisins.
- 7Pour the porridge into individual bowls and scatter the roughly chopped walnuts and hazelnuts on top.
- 8Serve immediately, with a drizzle of honey on top, to taste.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
