The grain is the bulk of the muesli; the add-ins are its flavour. Dried fruit brings the sweetness, so no sugar is needed. Nuts and seeds bring fat and crunch. Fresh or frozen fruit goes in at the bowl, not the jar.
The variables
- Ratio. About 3 parts grain to 1 part dried fruit and 1 part nuts and seeds, by weight (60:20:20). Go heavier on fruit for a sweeter muesli, heavier on nuts for a more filling one.
- Dried fruit. Raisins, sultanas, chopped apricots, dates, dried apple, cranberries. Chop large pieces to raisin size, so there’s some in every spoonful.
- Nuts. Almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, toasted and roughly chopped.
- Seeds. Sunflower, pumpkin, flax, sesame. Small seeds sink to the bottom of the jar, so shake it before you pour.
- Fresh fruit. Grated apple, berries, banana, or frozen berries, which thaw into the milk.
Options
| Option | Pick it when | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Classic (3:1:1) | Most of the time | Nothing |
| Fruit and nut | You want it sweeter and richer | Closer to 2:1:1; more dried fruit (apple, apricot, papaya) and almonds or walnuts |
| Seeds over nuts | Nut allergies, or it’s cheaper | Sunflower and pumpkin seeds toast like nuts |
| Fresh at the bowl | You have fruit to use up | Less dried fruit in the jar |