CP Bircher Muesli

By Clean Plate

A delicious combination of oats, yoghurt, apple and cinnamon, our CP Bircher Muesli is a refreshing and healthy snack, perfect for the hot Summer months and as an alternative to porridge or cereals! 

Bircher Muesli originated in Switzerland around the 1900s, but nowadays, it has gained in popularity and is eaten across the world. Much like the dried muesli version most of us are familiar with, there are numerous variations of the original.
Traditionally, bircher muesli is made by soaking oats overnight in a combination of one or more ingredients such as milk, yoghurt or fruit juice.  It is then mixed with chopped nuts and grated apple, and sweetened with a little honey or a similar natural sweetener. Quick and rolled oats speed up this process, meaning they only need to soak for as little as 1 to 2 hours. However,  if you'd rather make it the day before and have the space to store it in the fridge, go ahead and you'll have morning tea ready when you arrive.
Because most early learning centres in New Zealand opt to be nut-free, we make our CP Bircher Muesli with no nuts, but if that's not a concern for you, feel free to add your favourite nut or a combination. We love the taste of roasted almonds with ours. 
We also keep it honey free, if serving for children under 1, as honey may contain the spores that may lead to botulism, and is not recommended for children under 1 year. 
If you'd like to use honey, you could always make a separate batch for under and over 1s, clearly labeling each one. However, we find it sweet enough as is, especially if serving with sliced or mashed bananas, mangoes, or other fruits which are naturally sweeter, ripe and in season. Yum!

CP Bircher Muesli
Recipe by Clean Plate
Serves 10 (as a snack)
1 cup oats
2 Tbsp sultanas, raisins or diced apricots
Juice of 2 oranges 
125 ml milk
1 cup greek style yoghurt
1 apple, cored, unpeeled, grated
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)*
Fresh fruit, to serve – e.g. sliced bananas, quartered strawberries, blueberries, peaches, kiwifruit, or any other fresh fruit available.

Method:
1. Place oats, sultanas and orange juice in a large, non-metallic bowl. Stir and leave soaking while preparing the other ingredients.
2. In another bowl, mix the milk, yoghurt, cinnamon and honey (if using), until well combined. Add to the oats and mix.
3. Add the grated apple to the muesli and stir to combine. 
4. Cover the bowl and let it stand for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
​4. Serve the bircher muesli with fresh fruit.

*Omit the honey or maple syrup if serving the bircher muesli to children under 1 year-old.