We have a multi-branch pipeline project configured that used to have the "Build periodically" option. This option is gone in the UI, but it is still in the config file:

<hudson.triggers.TimerTrigger>
<spec>H 0 * * *</spec>
</hudson.triggers.TimerTrigger>

It probably still works, unless I broke it today by updating some plugins (I'll have to await next evening to be certain).
EDIT: The project is still triggered at the set interval, this lowers the priority somewhat.

I'm not entirely certain how this was presented in the UI before, and I did not succeed in downgrading the right plugins to restore the option. But I know for sure that a cron-like syntax could be used just like the "Build periodically" option in Freestyle and Pipeline projects. It only triggered a build when a change was made on a branch.