While it’s commonly asserted that oatmeal “sticks to your ribs”, we find it does quite the opposite when we’re out backpacking.
Instant oatmeal packets are definitely one of the easiest hot backpacking breakfasts you can make out on the trail (no question about that!) but all the major store-bought brands are made up of relatively simple carbs: pulverized processed oats and a lot of sugar.
Even if we stuff ourselves with these instant oatmeal packets at breakfast, we find that we burn through them entirely by mid-morning. So at 7am when we hit the trail, we’re totally full but by 9:30 we’re starving again.
So what to be done about this? The answer is to diversify the nutritional profile of your oatmeal.
This DIY backpacking recipe starts with a base of oatmeal and then adds layers of nutrition (and flavor!) on top of it. It includes coconut milk and flakes for long-lasting calories from fat, almonds and hemp seeds to add protein and dehydrated blueberries for a little extra fiber.
True, you will lose out on the “instant” cook time of instant oatmeal, but the more diverse nutritional profile means you should feel full all the way until lunch. Or at least elevenses.
So if you’ve been dissatisfied with your backpacking breakfast of choice, consider adding this DIY option to your repertoire!
Ingredients for Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal
Quick-cooking rolled oats: Oats bring protein and fiber to this breakfast. Use certified gluten-free oats to make this oatmeal GF.
Coconut Milk Powder: If you want to pick this up locally, the Asian section of your local grocery store is usually your best bet. Otherwise, you can pick it up online.
Freeze dried blueberries: These can be found at Trader Joe’s and Walmart. They can also be purchased online (this larger container is a good deal if you plan on prepping a lot of meals!).
Chopped almonds: Can sub in any other nut you prefer. The best deals we’ve found on nuts are at Trader Joe’s, but some grocery bulk sections have decent prices as well.
Coconut flakes: Coconut flakes add some texture to this oatmeal and are a great way to incorporate some good, healthy, calorie-dense fats into your oatmeals and trail mixes.
Hulled hemp seeds: Hemp seeds provide complete protein as well as Omega-3’s.
How to Make Blueberry Coconut Oatmeal
At home, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, then divide between two resealable bags. If you’re going to make this for two people and cook both servings at once, you can put it all in one bag.
At camp, add the oatmeal ingredients to your cook pot along with 1/4 cup water for one serving or 1/2 cup water for both servings. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the oats are tender.
That’s it!
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
