Let’s shake up your morning routine. This gluten-free breakfast idea has it all! I especially love this gluten-free muesli recipe because of the warm, inviting spiced flavor and creamy hints of maple, coconut and vanilla. Serve it with fresh fruit, milk, yogurt, turn into the GF Bircher muesli, or take a peek below at some additional yummy uses below.
Life-changing muesli made gluten-free!
I’ll admit I used to not give muesli a fair shake. My Danish roommate started every morning with it, and even though he insisted it was delicious, to me it resembled bird seed. Full disclosure, this took place in my early 20s when things like gluten-free, dairy-free, no refined sugar held zero importance to me.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I wish I could take back all the breakfast-shaming directed at Hans. Nowadays I start every morning with a bowl of creamy homemade instant pot yogurt (obsessed!), fresh fruit, and granola of some kind.
This past summer my husband and I travelled to Switzerland and, naturally, I enjoyed all kinds of gluten-free Swiss foods. There was no escaping Swiss muesli. It was absolutely everywhere, and after gleefully starting every morning with gluten-free muesli, I came home knowing this would now be one of my go-to GF breakfast ideas.
To make this homemade version I researched many gluten-free muesli recipes, looking at what they had going for them, and what could be improved on. Of course starting with certified gluten-free oats was a must and many recipes had great mix-in ideas.
Where they fell short, though, was the flavor. A muesli recipe should be quick and easy, but that doesn’t mean it has to be tasteless! A simple combination of coconut oil, pure maple syrup, and vanilla coats the oats and means this version is also vegan and protein-packed just like creamy oat groats.
But to jazz up the taste I added warm, chai-inspired spices, like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. Plus, an ample addition of toasty nuts and coconut rounds out the overall heavenly taste. It makes twenty-six ¼ cup servings so it’s also a stellar make-ahead, meal prep breakfast idea as well.
It you want to turn it into gluten-free Bircher muesli, an overnight version, create your own perfected mix-ins, or want to check out all the yummy ways muesli can be enjoyed, check out all these tips below. Or, just jump straight to the recipe to get your kitchen smelling like heaven straight away!
Ingredient Tips
When making muesli gluten-free, the only hard and fast rule is to make sure the oats and mix-ins are safe for a GF diet. Other than that, the recipe is pretty versatile and can be changed up with different spices or mix-in ideas.
- Oil – Use melted and cooled coconut oil or any preferred oil. Just remember if your oil isn’t neutral tasting, it will add a hint of that to the flavor.
- Oats – Use GF old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, and be sure they are certified GF, meaning they were processed on dedicated equipment.
- Mix-Ins – For the nuts and coconut, I add those with the oats so they can get nice and toasty in the oven. Add everything else after the mixture cools, like chocolate, dried fruit, flax seed, freeze dried fruits, etc.
Let’s Make This Together!
(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Mix Up the Spiced coating
In a large bowl add the maple syrup, oil, vanilla and spices. Make sure your bowl is large enough to stir in the remaining dry ingredients.
Stir in the dry ingredients
Now it’s time to add the oats, coconut, and nuts. These are the things which get even better when they are toasted in a warm oven. After stirring everything together the mixture will look dry, but that is how it is supposed to be! Muesli has a dried texture than granola, which is why it’s great for overnight oats or Bircher muesli.
Toasty time
Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a 350ºF oven for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Be sure to let it cool before adding any mix-ins that could melt, like chocolate chips. Toss together and enjoy!
So. Many. Add-In ideas
- Cocoa nibs
- Dried Fruits – cranberries, blueberries, cherries, chopped apricots, sultanas, raisins, pineapple, mango, dates, figs, gogi berries
- Freeze-dried fruits
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chia or flax seeds
- Orange zest – mix in 1 tablespoon with the maple / oil mixture
- Nuts – pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, macadamia, pistachios
- White chocolate chips
- Sunflower seeds
More Yummy Uses for Muesli
You’ve done the thing. Now you have a batch of homemade muesli. How are you going to put it to use?
If adding yogurt or milk, I recommend giving it a quick stir and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes while you pour a cup of coffee or wash fresh fruit and berries to serve on top. It will soften slightly and have a great hearty porridge texture.
You can also use muesli for overnight oats or for meal prep. For four servings, mix together 1 cup muesli with 1 – 1 ½ cups milk or yogurt, depending on how thick you like the texture. Sweeten to taste with honey or maple syrup. Divide into jars and top with fresh berries. Enjoy within 5 days.
For hot muesli, pour warmed milk over and let it steep for 5 minutes. It also makes a great topping for smoothie bowls, can be bagged for on-to-go snack mixes, mixed into cookie dough, or baked into trail mix bars.
How To Make Bircher Gluten-Free Muesli
Since this recipe was inspired by trip to Switzerland, there’s no way I couldn’t talk about the Swiss breakfast hall of fame – Bircher muesli.
It’s named after a Swiss doctor, Dr. Bircher-Benner, who championed the recipe into many Swiss diets. Bircher muesli is basically what we consider overnight oats, but it has some bonus delightful additions.
Combine 2 cups dry muesli with 2 cups milk, ¼ cup apple juice, and 2 tablespoons honey. Add 1 peeled and grated apple and 1-2 tbsps lemon juice so the apple doesn’t turn brown. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to enjoy, divide the mixture into bowls and top with yogurt, berries, or stewed dates. It will keep for 4 days, refrigerated.
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Yummiest Spiced Gluten-Free Muesli Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) melted coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 cups (312 g) gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup (125 g) chopped pecans
- 1 cup (120 g) unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup (72 g) pepitas (optional)
- 1 cup (175 g) dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, blueberries, chopped apricots, etc)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the maple syrup, oil, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.3 tablespoons (45 mL) pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) melted coconut oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Add in the oats, pecans, and coconut flakes. You will add in the pepitas and dried fruits after the mixture bakes. Mix until well combined. The mixture will look dry.3 cups (312 g) gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup (125 g) chopped pecans, 1 cup (120 g) unsweetened coconut flakes
- Spread the oat mixture on the prepped baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, rotating pan and stirring halfway through. Let the mixture cool and then add the pepitas, dried fruits, and any other optional mix-ins. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 month. Refrigerate or freeze for longer storeage.½ cup (72 g) pepitas, 1 cup (175 g) dried fruits
Notes
How to make bircher museli
Combine 2 cups dry muesli with 2 cups milk, ¼ cup apple juice, and 2 tablespoons honey. Add 1 peeled and grated apple and 1-2 tbsps lemon juice so the apple doesn’t turn brown. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to enjoy, divide the mixture into bowls and top with yogurt, berries, or stewed dates. It will keep for 4 days, refrigerated.Nutrition
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