müsli

Müsli, also spelled muesli, is a cold breakfast cereal mix that typically includes rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, often served with milk, yogurt, or fruit juice. It can be eaten dry or after brief soaking, and varieties range from simple to elaborate combinations.

The dish originated in Switzerland and was popularized in 1900 by physician Maximilian Bircher-Brenner as a light, nourishing meal for patients. His Bircher-style muesli traditionally involved oats soaked in liquid, grated apple, and additions such as nuts, seeds, and lemon juice, sometimes sweetened with condensed milk or fruit.

Today, muesli comes in several forms: traditional Bircher-style, dry, and overnight variations. Dry muesli is a mix of ingredients intended to be eaten with milk or yogurt without prior soaking, while overnight or soaked versions are prepared the night before and eaten in the morning. There are many regional adaptations, including recipes that emphasize fruit, yogurt, or dairy-free options.

Nutrition and dietary considerations vary with the ingredients. Muesli generally provides dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats from nuts and seeds, along with micronutrients. Added sugars can vary widely among commercial blends. Oats are naturally gluten-containing if processed with gluten-containing grains; gluten-free variants use certified gluten-free oats to accommodate celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

In many countries, muesli is marketed as a healthy breakfast option and remains a flexible, plant-forward component of a balanced diet.