Single-Serving Muesli

Are you aware that muesli is just raw oats and a smorgasbord of random ingredients that could easily be assembled in thirty seconds? Are you aware that you could just grab whatever nuts, dried fruit, seeds, or what-have-yous and throw it in to your muesli? Are you aware that you need not purchase $6 boxes of mediocre muesli from the store?

I'm going to give you a moment; this revelation can be a little troubling. After all, if you're like me, you may have been depriving yourself of this wondrous breakfast because "it's too expensive" and it's a "luxury item." Now, you've realized you've been wrongfully missing out.

When I studied abroad in Ireland (thank you, world, for your kindness to me), I ate muesli for breakfast every single morning. The first morning, I chose porridge for obvious reasons. However, it was bland and runny and not my style. Then, I noticed that every place we stayed was serving Alpen Swiss Muesli. I had never heard of muesli before then, but I was immediately smitten. It was like a healthier version of granola, and it went beautifully with peaches and plain yogurt, which must be popular in Ireland because every single place we stayed at offered these items in their "buffet" lines.

Since returning to the states, I've been highly disappointed by the offerings. I've tried a few different brands, but none that compare to the original Alpen I had in Europe. When I was in Philly a few months ago, I even found a box of the "original" Alpen, but it was NOT the same. It had these awful wheat flakes in them. Wrong!! Wrong! There were NO wheat flakes in the European version. Why do they assume Americans want wheat flakes in their muesli?!

After much frustration, it occured to me recently that it would be stupid-easy to make muesli at home. One reason why I (still) haven't made homemade granola is because it would require me to make a massive batch at once; for a long time, I thought muesli would be the same. Finally, I realized muesli could easily be assembled as a single-serving, bringing together everything I want in my breakfast in less than a minute.

With no stinkin' wheat flakes.

So suck on that, American Alpen!

Muesli for One

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 2 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1/2 cup regular rolled oats
• 1/2 cup anything! (Possibilities: sliced or whole almonds, pecan halves, walnut pieces, raisins, dried cherries or blueberries, chopped dried apples (or any other dried fruit), sunflower seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pepitas, chocolate chips, other flavored chips (white chocolate, butterscotch, mint chocolate, cinnamon, peanut butter, etc.), wheat germ, instant coffee granules, hazelnuts, shredded coconut, and so much more!)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients!
2. Eat with yogurt, milk, peanut butter, fresh fruit, etc. I eat it like cereal and just pour almond milk over it. I usually eat it with sliced bananas or strawberries or whatever fruit I have on hand.

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Here are some combinations to get you started!

Banana Bread: Dried bananas, flax seed, and walnut pieces

Tropical: Dried pineapple, dried kiwi, and shredded coconut (pictured above!)

Peanut Butter Cup: Crushed peanuts and chocolate chips

Strawberry Banana: Dried strawberries and dried bananas

Blueberry Almond: Dried blueberries and sliced almonds

Mocha: Chocolate-covered espresso beans

Black Forest Cake: Dried cherries, chocolate chips, shredded coconut

**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!