Loaded Oats Recipe - Backpacking Breakfast Ideas

Let’s be honest here, breakfast isn’t something that we prioritize while we are out backpacking. We typically sacrifice taste. Sometimes we have granola bars and a lot of the time we don’t have anything at all. Be honest with me, have you done that? Comment below and let me know.

Honestly, I used to fast while backpacking. Ya, I didn’t eat any breakfast and stopped eating food the night before around 6pm. There were a few reasons for this:

• The first was, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to lose weight. Ya, I know…. I was kinda obsessed with counting calories. I figured “man I am going to be using so many calories and not having much food so BAM, I should lose weight while I am out here”. The funny thing is, I always came back heavier. Whenever I backpack, I typically gain anywhere from 3-8 pounds. It is mainly water retention, but it is a mind F*** to say the least. So I was always trying to figure out how to not have that happen. The weight came off within 2 weeks, but it messed with my head.

• The second reason was to not carry so much weight. I am always trying to figure out how to get my pack just a little bit lighter. If you don’t bring the food in then you aren’t carrying the weight right?

• Most of the backpacking breakfasts were really expensive, loaded with salt, and not tasty.

Even though these were things I thought and did, it really wasn’t good for my body. Your body needs fuel to work right. If you aren’t feeding it right you are going to be dog ass tired and you are going to lose your muscle.

So, if you are going to be hiking during the day, not having any food in the morning isn’t a good thing. You really need to fuel your body. For the various reasons above I decided I needed to figure something out that was going to work for me. Something that was light weight, cheap, easy to cook, nutritious, and yummy. That is when I started experimenting with oats.

The loaded oats were a progression of multiple trial and errors while out in the back country. It started with me just having plain oats. While they were easy, it got old pretty quickly. Then I started adding things to the oats. I even started trying different recipes while I was at home. I mean, if your food is good at home you know it is going to be good while you are on the trail!

This recipe below is a general guideline recipe. This way you can create your own yummy loaded oat concoction. This way you know you will have all the right measurements.

If you keep scrolling down you will find some of my favorite loaded oats recipes with the exact ingredients that I use.

Loaded Oats Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• Options:

  • 1/4 cup freeze dried fruit of choice

  • handful of nuts

  • handful of coconut shreds

  • dash of cinnamon

  • dash of stevia powder

Prep for Backpacking:

1. Put all ingredients into a zip lock bag for travel

2. Put into your food container. I typically use a bear can

Directions to Cook while Backpacking:

1. Boil water

2. Add zip lock back full of your loaded oats to a bowl

3. Cover with the boiling water

Serving Size: Makes 1 serving

Things you will need to make your loaded oats:

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Loaded Oats Recipes to Try:

Almond Joy:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• Handful of sliced Almonds

• Pinch of Coconut shreds

• Pinch of Chocolate Chips

Berry Madness:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• Freeze dried blueberries

• Freeze dried raspberries

Tropical Oats:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• 2 tablespoons Freeze dried pineapple

• 2 tablespoons Freeze dried mangos

• Pinch of Coconut Shreds

Double Chocolate:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of chocolate protein powder

• handful of Chocolate Chips

• 1 Tablespoon of Cocoa Powder

Cherry Overload:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• 1/4 cup dried cherries

Banana Blueberry Muffin:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• 2 tablespoons freeze dried bananas

• 2 tablespoons freeze dried blueberries

Strawberries N Cream:

• 1/2 cup quick oats

• 1 cup water

• 1 scoop of milk powder

• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

• 1/4 cup freeze dried strawberries

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Oats are one of my go to breakfast for camping, backpacking, or cold mornings. (If you are interested check out my backpacking recipes here). They are easy, yummy, healthy, and just amazing!

Wishing you nothing but amazing backpacking adventures with delicious backpacking meals!

Bess 

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