Some favorite combinations for a wholesome breakfast on the trails.

 

Camping Oatmeal Three Ways

Classic Oatmeal Raisin

Ingredients

• 60g (2/3 cup) instant oatmeal
• 1 spoon chia seeds
• handful raisins
• 1 spoon crushed walnuts
• pinch of cinnamon
• water

Instructions

1. Fill pot with water and heat on stove until boiling. Turn stove off.
2. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl. Mix with spoon to evenly distribute chia seeds.
3. Slowly pour water over contents of bowl until just covered. Stir, let sit for two minutes, and add more water until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
4. Top with more nuts and cinnamon.

Best paired with a mug of instant coffee or tea, which can be made with any remaining water, and a great view.

Notes

Alternatively, combine dry ingredients into a plastic zip bag before a trek begins. Do this for every morning you’ll need breakfast. Instead of step two, simply pour contents of bag into bowl.

If using filtered water or water from a safe source, stove can be turned off just before water boils to save gas.

If glamping or van camping, top with sliced banana and honey.

Shredded coconut is another possible topping that gives the oatmeal an added layer of texture and fatty, subtly sweet flavor.

If traveling in an area where fresh figs are available, definitely slice and top on oatmeal as well.

 

Apple Cinnamon

Ingredients

• 60g (2/3 cup) instant oatmeal
• 1 spoon chia seeds
• 1 spoon dried apple, cut into pieces
• 1 spoon crushed walnuts
• pinch of cinnamon
• water

Instructions

1. Fill pot with water and heat on stove until boiling. Turn stove off.
2. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl. Mix with spoon to evenly distribute chia seeds.
3. Pour water over contents of bowl until just covered. Stir, let sit for two minutes, and add more water until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
4. Top with more nuts and cinnamon.

Best paired with a mug of instant coffee or tea, which can be made with any remaining water, and a beautiful view.

Notes

Alternatively combine dry ingredients into a plastic zip bag before a trek begins, when packing gear and food. Do this for every morning you’ll need breakfast. Instead of step two, simply pour contents of bag into bowl.

If using filtered water or water from a safe source, stove can be turned off just before water boils to save gas.

If glamping or van camping, top with sliced banana and honey. Fresh apples may be used in place of dried.

Chocolate Coconut

Ingredients

• 60g (2/3 cup) instant oatmeal
• 1 spoon chia seeds
• 1 spoon shredded coconut
• 1/2 spoon cacao powder*
• 1 spoon crushed walnuts
• 1 spoon dried cranberries, optional
• water

Instructions

1. Fill pot with water and heat on stove until just before boiling. Turn stove off.
2. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl. Mix with spoon to evenly distribute chia seeds.
3. Slowly pour water over contents of bowl until just covered. Stir, let sit for two minutes, and add more water until oatmeal reaches desired consistency.
4. Top with more nuts and coconut.

Best paired with a mug of instant coffee or tea (which can be made with any remaining water) and a beautiful view.

Notes

Alternatively combine dry ingredients into a plastic zip bag before a trek begins. Do this for every morning you’ll need breakfast. Instead of step 2, simply pour contents of bag into bowl.

*Chocolate drink mix or cocoa powder may be used instead of pure cacao powder.

If using filtered water or water from a safe source, stove can be turned off just before water boils to save gas.

If glamping or van camping, top with sliced banana and honey.

If traveling in an area where fresh figs are available, definitely slice and top on oatmeal as well.

Gear Needed

• Camping stove
• Cooking fuel
• Bowl
• Spoon

For my bowl and spoon I religiously used my collapsible silicone container and Titanium long handle spoon.