The natural sweetness of carrots makes this bircher muesli (The Swiss version of the original overnight oats) with carrot a quick, easy and delicious breakfast that’s ready when you are in the morning; an added advantage, you start the day with an extra portion of vegetables!
Prepare-ahead breakfasts are a great time saver. Spending a few minutes in the evening getting a healthy breakfast ready so that nothing needs to be done in the morning and breakfast is ready and waiting for you when you get up. Ideal for people with an early start, busy routine, or who like me want to grab just a few extra minutes in bed.
One of our favourite prep ahead breakfasts are overnight oats, also known as Bircher Muesli – a combination of rolled whole grains and oats soaked overnight, and topped with nuts and seeds. Our usual base is a mix of rolled oats, spelt and rye flakes. We normally add a grated apple and sometimes, as here, a grated carrot. This mixture is then soaked overnight in fruit juice, milk, kefir, yogurt.
Everything You Need To Know
How Long Does Bircher Museli Take To Make?
Bircher Museli is really fast to make. Hands on time is about 5 minutes. Then it needs to soak at least overnight in the fridge.
In the morning, breakfast is ready and waiting simple top with seeds, fresh berries and an extra dollop of yogurt – you can even prepare the bircher muesli in a small Kilner jar, ready to be grabbed as you leave; perfect to take to work and eat at your desk.
How Long Can I Keep Bircher Muesli For?
The Bircher Muesli mix will keep in the fridge for a couple of days, so save even more time by preparing larger batches twice a week or so.
My food mantra is to add a portion of extra veg at every opportunity, and this muesli recipe is a perfect example. The natural sweetness of carrot means we can enjoy this breakfast treat without adding empty calories from sugar, honey, maple syrup or similar sweeteners. This sweetness from carrot and apple is more than enough, and contrasts deliciously with the slightly tangy flavours of the goats milk yogurt.
What Other Vegetables Could I Add to Bircher Muesli?
Lots of vegetables would make a great addition to this Bircher Muesli – as well as the carrot try adding grated parsnips, butternut squash, other squashes or pumpkin or even courgette or zucchini.
We normally soak our overnight oats in orange juice or kefir – a type of fermented milk. (Incidentally, I’ve become an overnight fan of thick, tangy goats’ milk kefir – read about kefir here). As well as adding extra veg to my diet I am a great believer in eating a wide variety of foods so we’ve swapped our regular yogurt for St Helen’s Farm Goats’ Natural Yogurt, which has a delightful tang and flavour that pairs well with the soaked grains and the sweetness of the apple and carrot.
Goats’ milk products make a great alternative to cows’ as they have easy to digest smaller fat particles, different proteins from cows’ milk, and are a rich source of calcium, phosphorous (both essential for healthy bones), protein, biotin and vitamin B5.
For something really different you could try my tomato savoury overnight oats, made with passata.
Can I freeze Bircher Museli?
Yes – Simply pack into small plastic pots, and allow to defrost in the fridge overnight, ready for your breakfast in the morning.
So tomorrow, wake up better. Prepare ahead breakfasts let you start the day as you want to go on – no fuss, no time wasting.
Love oats? Then check out my Oatmeal Sri Lankan Pancakes!
Bircher Muesli with Carrot
Ingredients
- 120 g oat flakes
- 2 oranges (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 cup goats' milk yogurt
- 1 apple (grated)
- 1 carrot (grated)
To serve
- 1 tbsp mixed seeds and nuts
- 1/2 cup Fresh berries (optional)
Instructions
- Last thing at night grate the apple and carrot and stir into the flaked oats and grains.
- Pour the orange juice over, there should be some juice at the bottom of the bowl.
- Add the goats' milk yogurt. Stir the mixture well, cover and leave in the fridge overnight.
- In the morning, top with the nuts, seeds and berries and serve.
Notes
Goat’s milk products may not be suitable of you are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to cows milk, consult your GP or health professional before making changes to your diet.
Recipe for Bircher Muesli (Overnight Oats) with Carrot commissioned by St Helen’s Farm, who also sent a hamper of goats’ milk products. As always all opinions our own.
Jude A Trifle Rushed
A lovely recipe Helen, what a great way to start the day!
Helen
Full of flavour and with lots of healthy nutrients.
Jen @ BlueKitchenBakes
I’ve never considered having carrot with muesli for breakfast, a brilliant idea especially as I seem to have been pigging out a bit lately and need to get healthier again.
Helen
Adding a portion of vegetable whenever possible is so easy, and flavours like carrot are so subtle (sweet even) that you can feel healthier without much effort.
Jacqueline
I would never have thought of adding carrots to muesli Helen. That gives me something to think about.
Helen
Well you know me, full of healthy ideas!
Alan Moore
Blueberries, a superfood:) this looks very tasty. I have not tried the overnight soaking of oats, I will try this tonight.
Thank you
Helen
Something to really try out Alan, lovely and tasty, so easy and full of nutrients. Plus being able to taylor to your own tastes is an added bonus.
Mellissa Williams
I adore Bircher muesli. It’s my go-to breakfast at the moment. I would never have thought of putting carrot in it though. Clever idea.I’ve tried this brand of goats milk yoghurt and really enjoyed it.
Helen
Adding the carrot is my way of adding more nutrition, and the flavour is rather lovely.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
Now that sounds interesting. I’ve not had museli with carrot before. It sounds like an interesting combination.
Helen
The carrot is rather delicious, and knowing I’ve added one of my extra vegetable portions in makes me happy.
Laura
I do like goat yogurt and I am very interested in the combination of apple and carrots with the muesli. I make an apple and carrot salad with brown rice and I never though to combine them for a breakfast meal. I like the idea and will try
Helen
The apple and carrot combination works very well with the oats.
Demeter
Make ahead breakfasts like this are the best! Anything to save some time in the AM is just amazing. :)
Helen
Absolutely, part of a good morning is feeling like you’re prepared for it.
Natalie
First of all – I really love your pictures! This museli looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it soon.
Helen
A very tasty start to the day.
Trang
What a healthy and delicious breakfast! I could use a bowl right now ?
Helen
Lots of goodness and tasty ingredients.
elizabeth allcock
Lovely recipe! I’ve never been a massive fan of oats but maybe if I tried them like this I would like them.
Helen
Certainly worth trying again, overnight oats are deliciously tasty with the added flavours.
Julia
I had never thought about soaking oats in kefir – what a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration!
Helen
I love goats cheese but haven’t tried the goats yogurt so I’ll definitely look out for some. We’re big fans of overnight oats, they make mornings so much easier and hassle free.
Rachel
This is a great recipe Helen and I love the idea of swapping out foods! I am just lazy when it comes to preparing ahead.
Helen
I’m pretty lazy too, but would rather be lazy in the morning, than in the evening!
Kara
I have heard a lot about overnight oats but not tried them. They look delicious
Helen
these are a staple here!
Emily Leary
This looks utterly delicious. I’m working with St Helen’s too at the moment and will be sharing a savoury breakfast very soon!
Helen
Look forward to seeing it Emily!
Zena's Suitcase
I can’t believe I still haven’t tried overnight oats or bircher museli. It sounds like a great breakfast idea and I love the sound of your recipe