Why We Like It

After experiencing a creamy muesli with fresh honeydew melon on our Alaskan cruise, we knew we had to create a version of this for our Eat REAL America members! We decided to take it to the next level and make it a “make ahead” muesli to make busy mornings even easier. This will make enough to have 16 servings and provides a quick breakfast or snack for several weeks. Loading it up with a variety of fresh fruit lets you make it deliciously different each time!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (TOASTING IS OPTIONAL - See Quick Tip)

Mix Together and Toast in the Oven:

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup almonds (chopped or sliced)
1/2 cup raw pepitas (hull-less variety of pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds)
1/4 cup flax seeds (or ground flax)
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Add to a large bowl and stir to combine.

Spread onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast in the oven for 10-12 minutes.

Add and Bake Again:

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup hemp hearts (or hemp seeds)

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the coconut and hemp and toss to combine.

Toast for another 5 minutes until lightly browned.

Add Last:

1/2 cup Medjool dates (about 8 pitted Medjool dates or 16 pitted smaller sized dates, chopped)
1/2 cup raisins

Remove the baking sheet again from the oven and add the dates and raisins. Toss to combine and let cool.

When completely cool, store in a covered container in a cool dry place. Muesli will keep for at least three months.

Serve and Enjoy!

1/3 cup skim milk (or unsweetened soy or almond milk)
1/4 to 1/3 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/4 to 1/2 cup sliced fruit (of your choice such as apples, banana, melon, or berries)

For each serving combine 1/3 cup of the muesli mix with milk and yogurt. Stir to combine and let sit for 5-10 minutes to soften. (We really enjoyed it being more creamy than thick, using a 2:1 ratio of milk and yogurt with the muesli mix.)

Top with your choice of fresh fruit!

Quick Tips

Traditional muesli is not toasted, but simply mixed and stored raw, and then eaten after letting the mixture soak in yogurt and milk for about 10 minutes (as we mention in the last step). However, toasting the muesli adds another level of flavor, bringing out the nutty aromatic qualities of the nuts and seeds.

NOTE: adding the hemp hearts and shredded coconut in the last part of toasting in the oven will keep them from getting too brown.

Pepitas are tender green seeds from a specific pumpkin variety that produces hull-less seeds, also known as naked seeds, and have a high protein content, while pumpkin seeds are typically white, larger and more fibrous.