5 Overnight Oats Recipes for the hiking trail

Overnight oats are a great breakfast meal at home and out on the trail so that's why we have decided to share our five favourite overnight oats recipes for hiking. Overnight oats are full of calories and carbohydrates which are essential for a long day of hiking and are also really nutritious making them a fantastic breakfast to enjoy in the morning. They usually only take five minutes to make and require no cooking making them perfect for early mornings where setting up the full cooking stove can take valuable time you simply don't have.

The base of all the following recipes is the standard overnight oats for one person of:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• Optional Teaspoon of sugar for sweetness

Mix dry ingredients together in a small plastic jar (old peanut butter jar) and then add water with the powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space.

1. Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

This peanut butter flavoured recipe is the perfect energy boost to get you going in the morning, the flavour of the peanut butter, banana and oats is a great combination you should definitely try next time you are out on the trail or even at home.

Ingredients needed to make:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (can be powder)

• 10 grams of dried banana slices

• Optional Tablespoon of raisins for more flavour

Equipment required:

• Plastic Screw top Jar (old peanut butter jar)

• Measuring Cup

• Teaspoon

• Tablespoon (for eating and measuring)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a small plastic jar and then add water with the soy milk powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space.

2. Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats

If you are someone who wants something a little sweeter in the morning then this overnight oats recipe is for you, the chocolate and coconut combination goes amazingly well with oats and is for sure something to try next time you are out on the trail.

Ingredients needed to make:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• ¾ of a tablespoon of cocoa powder

• ¾ of a tablespoon of brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons of coconut flakes (top when serving to eat)

• Optional 1 teaspoon of chocolate chips

Equipment required:

• Plastic Screw top Jar (old peanut butter jar)

• Measuring Cup

• Teaspoon

• Tablespoon (for eating and measuring)

Mix all the dry ingredients with the exception of the coconut flakes together in a small plastic jar and then add water with the powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space. When serving add the coconut flakes on top and enjoy.

3. Mixed Berry Overnight Oats

If you are also a berry lover then this recipe is perfect for your morning breakfasts while out on the trail, this combination of mixed berries works amazingly well with oats making them a must try recipe for hikers of all kinds and tastes.

Ingredients needed to make:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• 3 tablespoons of Dried Mixed Berries

• Optional 1 Tablespoon of coconut flakes

Equipment required:

• Plastic Screw top Jar (old peanut butter jar)

• Measuring Cup

• Teaspoon

• Tablespoon (for eating and measuring)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a small plastic jar and then add water with the powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space.

4. Tropical Mango Overnight Oats

Looking for something a little tropical in the morning? Well this Mango with pineapple overnight oats recipe is sure to make your tongue tingle with tropical flavours that are a refreshing break from the regular overnight oats recipes.

Ingredients needed to make:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• 2 tablespoons of coconut flakes

• 2 tablespoons of diced pineapple pieces

• 10 grams of dried mango

Equipment required:

• Plastic Screw top Jar (old peanut butter jar)

• Measuring Cup

• Teaspoon

• Tablespoon (for eating and measuring)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a small plastic jar and then add water with the powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space.

5. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Apple cinnamon overnight oats is a classic recipe that is hard to hike without, this simple but tasty recipe is perfect for those looking to make something simple but yet delicious and a great introductory overnight oat recipe.

Ingredients needed to make:

• ½ a cup of Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats)

• 1 teaspoon of chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon of Full Cream Milk Powder

• ¾ of a cup of water

• 4 - 6 diced dried apple slices or fresh apple

• ¾ of a teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• 1 large tablespoon of raisins

Equipment required:

• Plastic Screw top Jar (old peanut butter jar)

• Measuring Cup

• Teaspoon

• Tablespoon (for eating and measuring)

• Knife (if using fresh apple)

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a small plastic jar and then add water with the powder, gently mix the powder with the water and dry ingredients until mixed and then leave it overnight in a cool, dry space. If using fresh apple it may be best to chop and add it into the oats before serving the next morning.

These five overnight oats recipes make great additions to your hiking menus and are very customisable so why not try some of these next time you are out on the trail. Always remember to buy rolled oats over quick oats when at the supermarket as these will provide that better taste and texture after soaking in the powdered water. So go fourth and enjoy your oats before a great day of hiking up hills and down into valleys.

Looking for more recipe ideas? Well check out our recipes page here.

Written by Josh Welch