What's the Difference Between Granola and Muesli? (2024)

FAQs

What's the Difference Between Granola and Muesli? ›

Muesli is made with uncooked rolled oats, which retain their natural texture and taste. Granola is made with baked rolled oats, which gives it a crunchy texture and a toasted flavor. Muesli typically contains fresh or dried fruits like apples, bananas, berries, and raisins, which add natural sweetness and flavor.

While both muesli and granola can be part of a balanced diet, muesli often emerges as the healthier choice due to its lower sugar content and minimal processing. Its versatility and ease of preparation make it an excellent option for a nutritious breakfast or snack.

Muesli and granola are considered by some people, especially Americans, to be the same thing…but they are not! Granola is made with similar ingredients as muesli, specifically oats, nuts, seeds and fruit, but granola typically has a lot more sugar and oil than muesli does.

Muesli is a mixture of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and fresh or dried fruit that have been soaked in milk, yogurt, or juice. This dish is attributed to a Swiss doctor, Maximilian Bircher-Benner, who fed this refreshing and filling breakfast to the patients in his hospital.

Granola and muesli have many similarities, including most of their ingredients and health benefits. The main difference is how they're made. Granola is baked and usually contains added sweeteners — such as honey or syrup — along with dried fruits, while muesli is enjoyed raw and sweetened with dried fruits only.

Apparently it's mainly because of the price of some of the raw ingredients going up so much, particularly almonds and hazelnuts.

The Bottom Line

Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.

In Switzerland, it is also consumed for supper as Birchermüesli complet – muesli with Café complet (milk coffee, accompanied by Butterbrot (bread, butter and jam)). In addition to being prepared raw, muesli can be toasted.

Granola and muesli can both be eaten for breakfast, like granola oats, but they can also be eaten as a snack or dessert. Muesli can be eaten after soaking it in milk or yoghurt, which fills each oat and makes a creamier meal, much like overnight oats.

Once you add your desired liquid, stick it in the fridge and let the muesli + milk do their thing. Muesli can be soaked overnight, but no worries if you forget to start the process the night before. Even after a short 10-15 minute soak, the grains will start to soften up.

Can I eat muesli at night for weight loss? ›

For Dinner:

As muesli is a light and easy-to-digest meal, you can have it for dinner. You should modify the portions as per your needs. Pick ingredients that give the most out of muesli for weight loss. As per studies, you must add muesli as a part of your daily eating routine to keep your weight in check.

Muesli has a base of rolled oats, which means it can be prepared just like oatmeal. But unlike oatmeal, muesli has added nuts, seeds and fruit to make it anything but bland-tasting. To make hot muesli, mix one part muesli with one part water or milk (any kind you want.)

Muesli is lower in sugar and fat than granola, making it a better option for people who are watching their calorie intake. Granola is a good source of protein and healthy fats, making it an ideal option for people who want to maintain their energy levels throughout the day.

Untoasted, raw or natural muesli usually starts with a base of rolled oats, loaded with nuts, seeds and/or dried fruit. Untoasted muesli is usually lower in saturated fat and added sugars than the toasted varieties, making it a healthy choice.

Muesli is typically consumed with hot or cold milk or yogurt for a crunchy breakfast or snack. It can also be soaked overnight for a delicious meal, and additional elements like fresh fruits, honey, or maple syrup can be added for enhanced flavor.

Muesli can be a healthy choice, but it's important to check that it has no added sugar or salt, or it can be almost as sugary as a bowl of frosted flakes. You'll still get some health benefits from the nuts, grains and fruit but these will come with free sugars which are not good for our health.

It's Good for Your Heart

According to studies , beta-glucan can help reduce cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. By eating muesli regularly, you'll be drastically improving your heart health.

Oats is rich in key nutrients, protein and fibre, but muesli has comparatively higher protein and nutrient due to presence of additional ingredients in it. But unlike oats, muesli also has added sugar which somehow eliminates all the good properties.

Typically, equal parts milk and muesli make the best bowl of cereal. Creating a yogurt parfait is another delicious and creative way to eat muesli. This makes a fabulous addition to breakfast, any weekend brunch, or a healthy and filling snack.