Vegan Bircher Muesli Recipe (Gluten Free)

This vegan and gluten free Bircher muesli recipe uses basic ingredients to create a simple, delicious and customizable breakfast. Toasting the oats and coconut boosts this classic recipe’s flavor to new levels. It’s a satisfying meal or snack that’s perfect for meal prep and super portable for whenever you’re on the go.

Completely homemade and versatile, this vegan muesli recipe is way better than a store-bought option because you can use any ingredients you enjoy! Make it different every time by switching the nuts, seeds and dried fruit.

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Is Muesli Vegan?

Muesli itself is usually vegan since it’s a mixture of oats with nuts, seeds and dried fruit. Many store-bought muesli options are vegan although some may include honey.

It’s less common, but some muesli mixes include chocolate which may not be vegan. I’ve used cacao nibs in this recipe for a deliciously crunchy boost of chocolatey flavor!

Toasted Muesli vs Raw Muesli

More traditional muesli recipes are raw, meaning the oats, nuts, seeds and other ingredients used are not cooked. You can certainly make this recipe raw, just follow the directions in the “variations” section below since there’s a slight change you’ll make.

This recipe toasts the oats and coconut with cinnamon and maple syrup before combining it with other ingredients, creating a toasted muesli. I love the added flavor that toasting oats and coconut brings to this recipe and think it’s well worth the time!

You also have the option of selecting raw or roasted nuts and seeds. Toasted or roasted nuts and seeds almost always have a deeper flavor but use whatever you like or have on hand!

Is Bircher Muesli Vegan?

Bircher muesli is essentially any muesli that’s soaked overnight. In more traditional Bircher muesli recipes, the oat mix is soaked in dairy products like cream, milk or yogurt, meaning it’s not vegan.

To create an easy dairy free Bircher muesli, that is also vegan, simply soak the oats overnight in a vegan yogurt or plant-based milk.

Bircher Muesli vs Overnight Oats

Bircher muesli and overnight oats are essentially the same. Both recipes soak oats in some type of liquid (often yogurt or milk) overnight. In the morning, the oats will have absorbed much of the liquid, creating a creamy, rich and satisfying breakfast that requires no further prep work.

Enjoy your Bircher muesli cold or heat it for a warm and delicious meal.

Ingredients to Make Vegan Muesli

This recipe uses simple ingredients and is extremely customizable. For its base, you’ll need some rolled oats, gluten free if required. After that, all remaining ingredients are up to you. The possibilities are truly endless, and you can make this recipe different every time if you like!

My favorite combo of ingredients for gluten free Bircher muesli are:

• Rolled oats: This is the base ingredient for Bircher muesli. To keep the recipe gluten free (if needed) select gluten free rolled oats.
• Shredded coconut: For a delicious boost of flavor, shredded, unsweetened coconut is a delicious (albeit optional) addition.
• Cinnamon: Some cinnamon spice warms the recipe and adds plenty of flavor. You can use any spices or spice combos you enjoy.
• Maple syrup: For sweetness, a little maple syrup goes a long way! Only use this if you plan to toast the muesli, otherwise leave it out.
• Poppy seeds: This delicious seed is one I don’t use often but it’s a nice and crunchy addition to this muesli recipe.
• Pumpkin seeds: For a boost of crunchy nutrition, pumpkin seeds are a great choice.
• Raisins: I recommend adding at least one dry fruit to your muesli since it’ll add natural sweetness. Raisins are a classic choice although I often use dry cranberries too!
• Walnuts: This nut is packed with nutrition and offers a delicious crunch!
• Cacao nibs: For some chocolatey flavor, cacao nibs are a great choice although you could also use mini vegan chocolate chips!
• Vegan milk or yogurt: You’ll need some plant-based milk or vegan yogurt to mix your dairy free Bircher muesli! I like a combo of half milk, half yogurt.

How to Make Gluten Free Bircher Muesli

It’s easy to make vegan Bircher muesli! Just read the detailed directions below for a walkthrough of each simple step.

Step 1: Mix and Toast Muesli

If you’ll toast your muesli, start by preheating your oven to 350 °F. Prep a baking tray with a silicone baking mat or line it with parchment paper.

Add rolled oats, coconut, cinnamon and maple syrup in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle your syrup across the top to make mixing easier.

Stir this mixture together until the maple syrup and cinnamon are evenly coated throughout the oat-coconut mix.

Spread this onto your baking tray in a thin, even layer. Bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned, tossing the oats around halfway through. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Once cool, pour into a large mixing bowl along with the other ingredients and evenly combine.

If you don’t want to toast the muesli, simply mix all the ingredients together EXCEPT for maple syrup; leave this out unless toasting the oats.

Step 2: Prep Bircher Muesli

Once the muesli is made, store in an airtight container or jar for up to 2 weeks.

The muesli can be served by simply pouring plant-based milk or vegan yogurt over the top and eating right away! However, if you want a true Bircher muesli, soak the oats overnight.

I’ve found a 1:1 ratio of muesli to milk is perfect. This means if you want ¾ cup muesli, stir in ¾ cup plant-based milk. Mix the muesli and milk in a jar or airtight container and allow to sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have thick, creamy and delicious Bircher muesli.

For an even creamier Bircher muesli, use dairy free yogurt instead of plant-based milk. As with the milk, a 1:1 ratio of muesli to yogurt is delicious.

I use a mix of half yogurt and half milk when prepping my Bircher muesli, but you can do whatever you like.

Once mixed with milk and/ or yogurt, the Bircher muesli will last in your fridge for up to 4 days.

Dairy Free Bircher Muesli Variations

As mentioned above, this recipe has endless variation potential. It’s easy to cut the recipe in half or double it, depending on how much muesli you want.

The first main variation is to toast the oats and coconut (or not). If you skip toasting your muesli, do not add maple syrup.

Then select any combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruit or other tasty ingredients to customize your gluten and dairy free muesli. Some yummy options include:

• Seeds: sesame seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
• Nuts: almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, etc.
• Dried fruit: cranberries, blueberries, cherries, apricots, dates, figs, apples, mango, gogi berries, strawberries, etc.
• Other: chocolate chips, spices (ex. pumpkin spice, nutmeg), etc.

You can also add more plant-based milk or yogurt to reach your preferred consistency.

How to Store Overnight Muesli

Before mixing with milk or yogurt, you can store the muesli in an airtight jar or container for up to 2 weeks. It’ll likely last longer than that, but I always eat mine before the 2 weeks is up!

Once mixed with milk and/or yogurt, the overnight muesli will last up to 4 days.

If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!

More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

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