Helping campers since 2011

How To Make Oatmeal At Camp
- The Best Recipe

If you know how to make oatmeal, you are all set to make a quick, nutritious camping breakfast.

A camping breakfast should be quick and easy to make, delicious, and hearty enough to fuel everyone for a full day of camping fun. Homemade oatmeal is just the thing!

A serving of home-made oatmeal in a blue bowl

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This recipe makes one serving, but you can easily make additional servings by doubling or quadrupling the measures.

Oatmeal is especially nice on a cool or rainy morning!

Small children looking cold at a campsite on a chilly morning

And, as you know, there will sometimes be cool and rainy mornings on most family camping trips!

How To Make Oatmeal For Camping

At Home

What to pack

Food

In food box:

rolled oats

raisins (optional)

cinnamon (optional)

maple syrup or honey (optional)

fresh or canned fruit (optional)

In your cooler:

milk or milk substitute (like soy milk, rice milk, or almond milk)

Containers of oats, milk and maple syrup, the ingredients for homemade oatmeal

Pots and utensils

saucepan

wooden spoon

measuring cup (1/2 cup/125 mL)

can opener (if using canned fruit)

bowls and spoons

At camp

Multiply these amounts to make enough for everyone.

To make one serving:

Measure 1 cup/250 mL of water into the saucepan.

Bring to a rolling boil.

Add 1/2 cup/125 mL rolled oats (and a handful of raisins and/or a pinch of cinnamon if you like).

Reduce heat.

Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring continuously.

Remove from the heat.

Ladle into a bowl.

Top with any or all of the following: maple syrup or honey, milk or milk substitute, fresh or canned fruit.

A portion of homemade oatmeal in a dark blue camping bowl

I find that I have to stir the oats continuously while simmering to stop the mixture sticking to the sides and bottom of the pan.

Once you've made this once or twice, you'll know just how long to cook the oatmeal to reach your desired consistency.

Some people like their oatmeal very soft and mushy. Others like it to have a chewy texture. Experiment until you find just the right formula for your family.

Tips

At home, calculate how much oatmeal and raisins you will need and package just that amount - especially if you are backpacking or canoe camping and space is limited.

Pack a small amount of cinnamon in a tiny canister if you have one, or in a ziploc bag if you don't. You can find spice jars the size and shape of film canisters at many camping stores.

Here's the best way to transport maple syrup or honey.

This recipe can be cooked on a Coleman stove or white gas stove, or even over a campfire.

Keep a close eye on the pan, and stir regularly so that the oatmeal doesn't scorch.

Buy a tetrapack of milk or milk substitute. These don't need refrigeration until they are opened. Store any leftover milk in your camping fridge or cooler. If you have neither, plan to drink all of the milk with your meal.