Never have I ever skipped eating breakfast. Even at 5 am before catching a flight. That’s when I usually pack a bowl of muesli to-go. We’re big muesli eaters over here (even when we’re not traveling), eating it about 3 times during the work week, alternated with scrambled eggs and toast. This breakfast cereal is fit for on-the-go or at the table.
What is muesli (myu-slee)? It’s a minimally-processed, lightly sweetened breakfast cereal made from a mix of raw, dried, and toasted ingredients (like oats, nuts, seeds, and fruit). It’s cereal—the very best kind.
We keep our pantry stocked with Seven Sundays Muesli (Cocoa Coconut is the family favorite). But we’re new fans of A Couple Cooks easy Cherry Almond Breakfast Cereal from their new book, Pretty Simple Cooking (pg. 22). I think I might have to start stocking both.
It’s laced with toasted oats and coconut, raw almonds and pepita seeds, and sweetened with dried tart cherries, maple syrup, and a slurry of spices. Make a batch ahead for the week. Soak overnight or the morning of while making coffee. It’s a delicious, wholesome breakfast cereal that will keep you full until lunch.
About the book Pretty Simple Cooking, it’s brilliant, doable, welcoming, and vegetable-forward. It’s all the things I crave as a mom trying to feed my family with the best kind of gas, energy, calories—whatever you want to call it. The duo behind the book, Alex and Sonja, have become real life good friends over the years. In fact, I went on a trip with Sonja when this book was just a list of recipe ideas on a page. Now in print, this book is a masterpiece.
Giveaway
In an effort to get this book on every kitchen shelf, I’m giving away a copy! To enter: Leave a comment with your favorite weekday breakfast. Details: CLOSED. Open to US and Canada residents. Winner will be chosen at random.
This recipe is from page 22 in Pretty Simple Cooking by Alex and Sonja Overhiser. See my adaptations in the notes.
Ingredients
Scale
4 c. rolled oats
1 c. unsweetened large coconut flakes (not shredded)
1 c. whole almonds, roasted and salted
1 c. dried tart cherries
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup, plus more for serving
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. pepita seeds, roasted and salted
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. dried ground ginger
1/2 tsp. allspice
milk, for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spread out the oats evening on a baking sheet, then place the coconut in an even layer over the top. Bake 7 to 11 minutes, watching closely, until the coconut is evenly golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, roughly chop the almonds and cherries.
In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup and vanilla, then heat in the microwave until warmed through and the consistency is thinner, about 20 seconds (alternately, heat on the stovetop).
In a large bowl, combine the toasted oats and coconut with the cherries, almonds, pepitas, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and the maple-vanilla mixture, and stir to thoroughly combine. Pour the mixture back onto the baking sheet and spread into an even layer to allow the muesli to fully dry, about 10 minutes. Stir to break up any clumps, then transfer to a sealable container.
Serve with milk and a touch of maple syrup.
Notes
• I like my coconut barely toasted, so I toasted the oats for 7 minutes before adding the coconut on top and toasting 3 minutes more. • Similarly, I prefer raw nuts and seeds in my breakfast cereal, so I used raw sliced almonds and raw pepita seeds. Then added a pinch of salt to the cereal mixture. • I added the spices and pinch of salt into the warmed maple syrup and vanilla mixture to evenly coat the oats. • The spices were warm and delicious. I’m also going to experiment using cinnamon and cardamom next time and maybe a little almond extract. This recipe is versatile like that! • I added an extra tablespoon of maple syrup (3 tbsp. total) to the cereal to skip adding more before each serving. Call me lazy. It was perfectly sweetened to my tastes, especially with the addition of the dried cherries and coconut.
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Just shared this recipe with someone again this morning, and looking at the date on the post, I realized I’ve been making this regularly for over four years! It’s literally been my breakfast 3-4 days a week since I first made it. So easy to memorize and adapt — a double batch takes less than 30 mins to make and lasts me 3-4 weeks.
Made this yesterday and had it for breakfast today. It was so nice to have cereal that is not overpoweringly sweet! And it was so easy to make. When my husband cooks, he likes to serve cereal for breakfast, but I’ve grown to hate commercial cereal. I am grateful to now have an alternative.
I wish you luck with your book! Everything is perfectly described and beautiful. If i was your mother i would be so proud of you! My favorite breakfast has changed over the years as i’m sure everyone can relate to. Lately, the more simple and visually appealing is the most satisfying. A bowl of strawberries, toast, and a large cup of Coffee with cinnamon & cream is my favorite right now.
I always enjoy a bowl of cereal (usually Barbara’s brand). On a good day I’ll make a quick smoothie before I leave for work. I’ve never had muesli, but after seeing this recipe I now have all the ingredients on my grocery list!
This looks delicious! My husband is a eggs and homemade toast kind of guy. I prefer muesli and milk or granola, fruit and yogurt. It’s a mix of both at our house 🙂
Lately I’ve been only eating scrambled eggs, sauteed greens, and toast for breakfast. Delicious, and getting a serving of vegetables in before I’ve left the house makes me feel like I’m ahead of the game for the day.
On weekdays I rotate between avocado toast topped with a fried egg, a scrambled egg burrito filled with tomatoes and spinach, or peanut butter banana smoothie made with whey protein and supergreens. Oatmeal usually leaves me hungry after a couple of hours but I’m going to try this one – it looks delicious!
I’ve been failing on the real food breakfasts lately, but love me some muesli! Hitting a food reset for lent and looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
I love green smoothies for breakfast. They keep me full through lunch, and even if I don’t eat great for the rest of the day I know I got my veggies in. 🙂
This book looks genius! I’ve been dying to get my hands on it! And I am soooo with you on never skipping breakfast. I love yogurt and granola with some fresh fruit and a splash of almond milk–it’s my go-to during the week. xo
French toast bakes are my favorite! A great way to use up day old bread from the local bakery . I make an egg mixture, throw in whatever fruit I have around and it comes out custardy and delish! The best part is that I make the night before and bake it that morning while I’m getting ready.
I love some poached eggs with thin sliced natural ham on a gluten free ciabatta (I have celiac disease) or, a “qrunch” brand quinoa bar thing, topped with coconut yogurt, banana and granola!
Either your “Best Oatmeal” with lots of blueberries, or avocado toast with a little crushed red pepper. Not very creative but solid and comforting ways to start the day.
I think breakfast is really underrated, there are so many great, easy choices. Love muesli and yogout in the warmer seasons. This winter my go to has been Thug Kitchen’s Kitchen quinoa oatmeal. I make a batch on Sunday, and have it a few mornings. https://www.thugkitchen.com/quinoa_oatmeal
As always, you make everything look so beautiful. THANK YOU for sharing about Pretty Simple Cooking and for being here through the entire process. I can’t wait for Minimalist Kitchen to arrive! XOXO
I love oatmeal, or polenta with garlicky greens and a fried egg. I’ve been making an adaptation of Amy Thielen’s peanut butter granola, treating it like a breakfast cereal for years. I’d love to try this new book of ideas!
I just discovered the joy of steel cut oats. I make a big batch to eat throughout the week. Topped with brown sugar and raisins. Consumed with a large pour over coffee. Yesssss.
I love muesli on top of fruit and yogurt! My weekday go to breakfast is toast with fromage, egg of some variety of preparation and sliced bananas with peanut butter.
I usually have a fried egg on avocado toast. I LOVE cereal but avoid it because of all the added sugar and it just doesn’t keep me full! This looks like a great alternative.
I am all about the carbs for breakfast, since I’m an early morning runner! My favorites lately are my homemade sourdough with butter or a homemade jam (mainly because I’ve recently gotten into making sourdough bread AND jam this year) but my other real favorite breakfast is blueberry pancakes.
My go to weekday breakfast is usually egg whites with veggies on toast. To change things up I will do a chocolate protein smoothie at least once or twice.
Most weekdays I have an RX Bar and coffee right away-ish and then some fruit and nuts or trail mix with some yogurt later in the morning with another cup of coffee. ?
I’m team waffle for life (sorry pancakes), but my everyday go to is eggs, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and kale with sauerkraut on top. Different spices and veggie varieties keep it interesting and it always settles and keeps me full.
My most unusual and frequent breakfast is fried rice – if there’s leftover rice that’s my go to. Started when my daughter made it clear that she didn’t like cereal or sweets for breakfast (no waffles, pancakes, or French toast). Now it’s one of my favorites too.
I’m always on the lookout for family friendly, minimally processed recipes! My cold weather go to is hash. The current favorite is a combination of purple carrot, sweet potato and green apple with bacon and an over easy egg. And now I’m hungry…
I’m having a green smoothie moment (I come back to them every few months or so) but I’m planning on making homemade coconut yogurt today to turn into parfaits. Of course, I’m planning on making this granola now, too, to top the parfaits. YUM!
I would love this book on my shelf! Always looking to expand my collection of vegetarian cookbooks! My go to breakfast is a smoothie, but this looks delicious and easy!
My go to breakfast is old fashioned oats cooked on the stove top with a mixture of almond milk and boiled apple cider. I add diced apples, raisins, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, flaxseeds, chia seeds, cooked quinoa/teff and pure maple syrup. Its a great way to start the day!
This looks amazing! My favorite satisfying and healthy breakfast is to mash up 1/4 avocado and spread it on two Wasa crackers. Then I slice up a tomato and sprinkle TJs Everything But the Bagel Seasoning over the top. Pair it with a small bowl of cottage cheese. For some reason, this hits all my cravings!
Just shared this recipe with someone again this morning, and looking at the date on the post, I realized I’ve been making this regularly for over four years! It’s literally been my breakfast 3-4 days a week since I first made it. So easy to memorize and adapt — a double batch takes less than 30 mins to make and lasts me 3-4 weeks.
★★★★★
Made this yesterday and had it for breakfast today. It was so nice to have cereal that is not overpoweringly sweet! And it was so easy to make. When my husband cooks, he likes to serve cereal for breakfast, but I’ve grown to hate commercial cereal. I am grateful to now have an alternative.
Is there a suggested serving size? ‘Cuz I could probably eat this whole batch in one sitting! ? Probably best to limit myself though…?
Haha! I use about 1/2 cup per bowl, but I totally eyeball it!
I wish you luck with your book! Everything is perfectly described and beautiful. If i was your mother i would be so proud of you!
My favorite breakfast has changed over the years as i’m sure everyone can relate to. Lately, the more simple and visually appealing is the most satisfying. A bowl of strawberries, toast, and a large cup of Coffee with cinnamon & cream is my favorite right now.
It would have to be eggs over easy with some homemade sourdough bread. It looks like a lovely book!
I always enjoy a bowl of cereal (usually Barbara’s brand). On a good day I’ll make a quick smoothie before I leave for work. I’ve never had muesli, but after seeing this recipe I now have all the ingredients on my grocery list!
Breakfast bowl with beans, sweet potatoes, spinach, fried egg and goat cheese.
This looks delicious! My husband is a eggs and homemade toast kind of guy. I prefer muesli and milk or granola, fruit and yogurt. It’s a mix of both at our house 🙂
Whole grain toast with lots of chunky peanut butter is my all-time favorite weekday breakfast – easy, fast & delicious!
It’s cold here (PNW) so I’m eating a lot of warm oatmeal with sliced banana, cinnamon sugar, and almond butter.
My favorite weekday breakfast is probably just a straight egg sandwich (egg, toast) but time is often a factor.
Lately I’ve been only eating scrambled eggs, sauteed greens, and toast for breakfast. Delicious, and getting a serving of vegetables in before I’ve left the house makes me feel like I’m ahead of the game for the day.
On weekdays I rotate between avocado toast topped with a fried egg, a scrambled egg burrito filled with tomatoes and spinach, or peanut butter banana smoothie made with whey protein and supergreens. Oatmeal usually leaves me hungry after a couple of hours but I’m going to try this one – it looks delicious!
Oh, this looks so good. Can’t wait to try it!
My favorite weekday breakfast is coffee, toast, and an egg fried in olive oil. Add a dash of sriracha and some avocado and it’s basically perfect.
My go to breakfast lately has been toasted bread topped with avocado and sunnyside up eggs.
I love a bowl with yogurt, fruit and some homemade granola (usually loving the king arthur whole grain recipe). But muesli is a fav too!
Scrambled eggs with pepperjack cheese, red peppers and onions is one of my favorite breakfasts. Would love the book to get more ideas
I’ve been failing on the real food breakfasts lately, but love me some muesli! Hitting a food reset for lent and looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
Keifer with muesli and frozen berries
Either granola and yogurt or baked oatmeal.
I like what’s called a Farmer’s breakfast…..peppers, onions, potatoes and eggs. Veryn filling. Would love this book!
I love green smoothies for breakfast. They keep me full through lunch, and even if I don’t eat great for the rest of the day I know I got my veggies in. 🙂
Avocado toast and fruit!
I drink a smoothie every morning for breakfast but my heart will always LOVE from scratch biscuits and homemade sausage gravy!
Cottage cheese with canned fruit. I got hooked on it as an alternative to hospital food when having my many babies. Ew.
Oatmeal every day 🙂 this cereal looks delicious, though!
This book looks genius! I’ve been dying to get my hands on it! And I am soooo with you on never skipping breakfast. I love yogurt and granola with some fresh fruit and a splash of almond milk–it’s my go-to during the week. xo
Granola with milk or yogurt and berries.. or Avocado toast on homemade sourdough!
Savory: Toast with cheese, tomatoes/cucumber, hard boiled egg. Sweet: Toast with ricotta/butter and jam/honey!
Overnight oats. Just made some for me and my daughter
French toast bakes are my favorite! A great way to use up day old bread from the local bakery . I make an egg mixture, throw in whatever fruit I have around and it comes out custardy and delish! The best part is that I make the night before and bake it that morning while I’m getting ready.
This sounds so delicious! I haven’t made a french toast bake in so long. In other news, you’re the winner! Sending you an email.
I make a big batch of steel cut oatmeal in my crockpot on Sunday and eat that for breakfast all week!
I love some poached eggs with thin sliced natural ham on a gluten free ciabatta (I have celiac disease) or, a “qrunch” brand quinoa bar thing, topped with coconut yogurt, banana and granola!
Either your “Best Oatmeal” with lots of blueberries, or avocado toast with a little crushed red pepper. Not very creative but solid and comforting ways to start the day.
I usually have a green smoothie, but I do love granola or avocado toast.
I have an egg almost every morning, as we have chickens. Plus one slice of homemade sourdough bread.
Avocado toast with TJs Everything Bagel seasoning has been on heavy rotation around here lately.
Yogurt with low sugar/low fat granola! This looks scrumptious!
My fav breakfast is greek yogurt with some granola. Would love to try this new recipe!
My fav is homemade coconut almond granola with yogurt and berries or pomegranate ?
Oatmeal with berries, cacao nibs and nut butter!
I think breakfast is really underrated, there are so many great, easy choices. Love muesli and yogout in the warmer seasons. This winter my go to has been Thug Kitchen’s Kitchen quinoa oatmeal. I make a batch on Sunday, and have it a few mornings. https://www.thugkitchen.com/quinoa_oatmeal
As always, you make everything look so beautiful. THANK YOU for sharing about Pretty Simple Cooking and for being here through the entire process. I can’t wait for Minimalist Kitchen to arrive! XOXO
I love oatmeal, or polenta with garlicky greens and a fried egg. I’ve been making an adaptation of Amy Thielen’s peanut butter granola, treating it like a breakfast cereal for years. I’d love to try this new book of ideas!
I just discovered the joy of steel cut oats. I make a big batch to eat throughout the week. Topped with brown sugar and raisins. Consumed with a large pour over coffee. Yesssss.
Teddie peanut butter on toast!
I love oatmeal with nutritional yeast, bragg’s and any kind of nut. Sounds weird but it’s now hard for me to eat sweet oatmeal.
I love muesli on top of fruit and yogurt! My weekday go to breakfast is toast with fromage, egg of some variety of preparation and sliced bananas with peanut butter.
oatmeal!
I usually have a fried egg on avocado toast. I LOVE cereal but avoid it because of all the added sugar and it just doesn’t keep me full! This looks like a great alternative.
It’s usually a green smoothie but my favorite is toast with avocado and an over medium egg on top. It’s my favorite for any meal. ?
French toast casserole I recently found – it’s divine, and easy!! Book looks great ??
I am all about the carbs for breakfast, since I’m an early morning runner! My favorites lately are my homemade sourdough with butter or a homemade jam (mainly because I’ve recently gotten into making sourdough bread AND jam this year) but my other real favorite breakfast is blueberry pancakes.
This recipe looks delish though!
My go to weekday breakfast is usually egg whites with veggies on toast. To change things up I will do a chocolate protein smoothie at least once or twice.
I’m definitely going to have to make this.
My favorite breakfast is any kind of eggs with a Mexican twist. Yum.
Like a good Austin-ite I love me some breakfast tacos
Most weekdays I have an RX Bar and coffee right away-ish and then some fruit and nuts or trail mix with some yogurt later in the morning with another cup of coffee. ?
Favourite weekday breakfast is definitely toast with peanut or almond butter. And a big cup of milky tea.
I’m team waffle for life (sorry pancakes), but my everyday go to is eggs, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and kale with sauerkraut on top. Different spices and veggie varieties keep it interesting and it always settles and keeps me full.
My go-to has been granola (Bear Naked is my current fav) with either milk or yogurt. Keeps me full till lunch!
My most unusual and frequent breakfast is fried rice – if there’s leftover rice that’s my go to. Started when my daughter made it clear that she didn’t like cereal or sweets for breakfast (no waffles, pancakes, or French toast). Now it’s one of my favorites too.
I’m always on the lookout for family friendly, minimally processed recipes!
My cold weather go to is hash. The current favorite is a combination of purple carrot, sweet potato and green apple with bacon and an over easy egg.
And now I’m hungry…
I’m having a green smoothie moment (I come back to them every few months or so) but I’m planning on making homemade coconut yogurt today to turn into parfaits. Of course, I’m planning on making this granola now, too, to top the parfaits. YUM!
This looks awesome! I also love Seven Sunday’s which I found through you! Favorite weekday breakfast is overnight oats or a smoothie!
Avocado toast!
I would love this book on my shelf! Always looking to expand my collection of vegetarian cookbooks! My go to breakfast is a smoothie, but this looks delicious and easy!
A smoothie & hard boiled egg are my go to week day meal, but occasionally some homemade granola will be put into rotation as well.
Nothing better than a big stack of banana pancakes!
Muesli is the bee’s knees ?
My fav weekday breakfast is homemade muffins I make for the week on Sundays
My go to breakfast is old fashioned oats cooked on the stove top with a mixture of almond milk and boiled apple cider. I add diced apples, raisins, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, flaxseeds, chia seeds, cooked quinoa/teff and pure maple syrup. Its a great way to start the day!
Whhhaaattt? Apple cider. This is brilliant!
…and tasty! I just reduce a half gallon to about 12 ounces and throw a splash in with the almond milk. It lasts in the fridge for 2+ weeks.
a fried egg sandwich is my weakness ! Mostly it just toast or fruit on my way out the door to work!
This looks amazing! My favorite satisfying and healthy breakfast is to mash up 1/4 avocado and spread it on two Wasa crackers. Then I slice up a tomato and sprinkle TJs Everything But the Bagel Seasoning over the top. Pair it with a small bowl of cottage cheese. For some reason, this hits all my cravings!