THE BARNABY BLOG: Kitchen Notebook - Vol. 3 20 September 2025

From Test to Table: My Humans' Autumn House Toasted Muesli

Woof! Barnaby here with tail-wagging tales from the kitchen

There's something deeply satisfying about watching my humans make toasted muesli. The gentle stirring (which I supervise very carefully), the watchful waiting as oats slowly golden in the oven (perfect nap time for a schnauzer), and that intoxicating aroma that fills every corner of the house – and trust me, with my nose, I don't miss a thing! It's a labour of love that transforms simple ingredients into something magical. And while it nourishes their bodies, watching the whole process feeds my soul... and sometimes my bowl, if I'm very good and give them my best puppy eyes.

A Legendary Recipe (That Even Impressed This Dog)

Our toasted muesli recipe has quite the pedigree – almost as impressive as mine! It's based on the legendary original from Auckland's Atomic Cafe in Ponsonby. Now, I've never been to Auckland (though I hear they have excellent dog beaches), but my humans discovered this recipe years ago and it was like they'd found buried treasure in their own kitchen. As a schnauzer who knows quality when he smells it, I can confirm – this was big news.

The beauty of the Atomic Cafe's approach wasn't just in the ingredients (though as someone who's taste-tested many of them, they were perfectly chosen). It was in the philosophy: that taking time to properly toast and blend your muesli creates something far superior to anything you can buy off a shelf. It's the difference between fast food and slow food – and trust me, I'm an expert on both!

The Home Batch Process: A Kitchen Adventure (With Furry Supervision)

Making this muesli at home has become one of my humans' favourite weekend projects. I love it too because big batches mean more opportunities for "quality control" – partly because the recipe scales beautifully, but mostly because it disappears so quickly once family and friends discover there's a fresh batch in the pantry. (Pro tip from a professional beggar: sit very still near the mixing bowl and look extra adorable.)

The process itself is wonderfully meditative for my humans. Me? I find it wonderfully entertaining. They start with three cups of rolled oats and two cups of whole hulled oats, creating that perfect textural foundation. The bran adds earthiness (I can smell that!), while sunflower seeds and pumpkin kernels bring a satisfying crunch that provides quite the workout for jaw muscles. Now, as a dog who chews everything from tennis balls to the occasional shoe, I appreciate good jaw exercise!

The magic happens when everything meets the heat. As the mixture slowly toasts in a 250°C oven, the kitchen fills with the most incredible aroma – nutty, warm, and promising. My schnauzer nose goes into overdrive! The almonds and sesame seeds release their oils, the coconut begins to caramelize ever so slightly, and the honey creates those golden, clustered moments that make me drool just thinking about them.

But here's where patience becomes your best friend (something I'm still working on, to be honest). This isn't a recipe you can rush. The stirring, the checking, the careful monitoring as everything transforms from raw ingredients into golden, fragrant clusters – it all takes time. My humans seem to enjoy this, though I prefer the "is it ready yet?" approach to cooking.

The Morning Ritual (And Breakfast Negotiations)

There's something particularly wonderful about autumn mornings with this muesli. As the weather turns cooler and I get to wear my stylish winter coat, sitting near my humans as they enjoy a bowl of homemade toasted muesli with their morning coffee feels like the perfect way to start the day. The combination of textures – the tender oats, the crunchy nuts and seeds, the chewy fruit – creates sounds that make my ears perk up every time.

And yes, it is quite the jaw workout for humans! As a dog who knows a thing or two about serious chewing, I appreciate food that requires a bit of effort. It slows them down, makes them present, and gives me more time to perfect my "surely you can spare just one tiny piece" face.

Sharing the Love: The Recipe (Tested by Professional Taste Tester)

Because good things are meant to be shared (and I've thoroughly quality-tested this), here's the recipe for you to try at home:

Atomic Cafe Toasted Muesli

Barnaby-approved for humans (dogs should stick to proper dog treats!)

Ingredients:

3 cups rolled oats

2 cups whole hulled oats

1½ cups bran

1 cup sunflower seeds

¾ cup pumpkin kernels

1 cup raw peanuts

½ cup almonds

¼ cup sesame seeds

1 cup shredded coconut

¾ cup cashew nuts

½ cup sunflower or vegetable oil

½ cup honey

½ teaspoon vanilla essence

½ cup raisins

½ cup prunes, diced

½ cup dried apricots, sliced

½ cup dates or figs, sliced

Method: Heat oven to 250°C. In a large baking dish, combine the rolled and whole oats, bran, sunflower seeds, pumpkin kernels, peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds, coconut, and cashew nuts. Stir and mix with your hands to combine well. (This is where I provide crucial supervision and moral support.)

Drizzle over the oil, honey, and vanilla essence, then mix thoroughly until everything is well coated. Spread evenly in the baking dish and bake, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant (approximately 30-45 minutes). Note: The stirring intervals are perfect for quick pats and reassuring words to any supervising schnauzer.

Remove from oven and stir in the dried fruit while still warm. Allow to cool completely before storing in airtight containers. (Very important: the cooling part prevents any burnt tongues – I learned this the hard way!)

The Next Chapter: Our Cafe Evolution

While this homemade version will always hold a special place in our hearts (and pantries), we've been busy at Barnaby & Boo's and Tried & True perfecting our own version. Our original toasted muesli takes all the lessons learned from years of making this atomic recipe and makes it available fresh daily.

This isn't just about convenience (though being able to enjoy it fresh at the cafe while I greet customers is pretty wonderful). It's about bringing that same craft and care to everyone who walks through our doors – whether they're regulars who know to give me a pat, or newcomers who I need to charm with my irresistible schnauzer smile.

Whether you're settling in for a leisurely morning at one of our cafes (I'll be the brown furry one making rounds for attention) or grabbing a container to enjoy at home, our toasted muesli represents the best of both worlds – the craft and care of homemade, with the consistency and professional preparation that means it's perfect every time.

The Lasting Appeal (From a Dog's Perspective)

What I love most about this recipe is how it brings people together around good food made with care. In a world of instant everything, taking time to toast oats, to wait for honey to caramelize, to let flavours develop, creates moments of calm that even this energetic schnauzer can appreciate.

So whether you're inspired to fire up your oven and make a batch from scratch this weekend (I volunteer as supervisor!), or you'd prefer to visit us at Barnaby & Boo's or Tried & True where the hard work is already done, know that you're participating in something special. You're choosing craft over convenience, quality over quick, story over generic.

And trust me – your jaw muscles will thank you for the workout. Mine certainly do when I "accidentally" find a piece that's fallen on the floor!

Woof and happy eating,

Barnaby 🐾

Chief Taste Tester & Moral Support Specialist

Barnaby & Boo's

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