This is a variation on the Kidlet's favourite overnight oatmeal. I usually make this hot version when camping, but you could also do it as an overnight soak and just stir in the applesauce and milk powder in the morning if you wanted to avoid busting out the stove for breakfast.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

Ingredients

• 2/3 c. quick oats
• 1/4 c. chopped walnuts
• 2 Tbsp. dried currants
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
• 4 Tbsp. powdered milk
• 1 c. boiling water
• 1 pot unsweetened applesauce
• 1-2 tsp. sugar or brown sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Combine oats, walnuts, currants, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves before you go.
2. To prepare oatmeal, add the boiling water to the oat mixture and stir.
3. Stir in powdered milk and applesauce.
4. Top with a bit of sugar if desired.

Ready-Made Camping Desserts

I usually prioritize meals and snacks when camping, but sometimes it's nice to have a bit of a sweet treat after dinner. S'mores are, of course, a classic. And I have a few other things that I've made at various points. Often, though, I find I don't really feel like cooking another thing after already cooking dinner. Usually that means I just skip dessert. Other times I'll go for something ready-made that doesn't require any prep. There are, of course, lots of options for such things. This is just a short list of some of my go-tos.

Camping Desserts

• 2-bite brownies
• candy bars (I like Wunderbar)
• Oreos
• fresh fruit
• ice cream (from a local shop)

Nut/Seed Butter Sandwiches

I normally go with the classic PB&J when camping because it's easy and the Kidlet and I both like it. That said, there's lots of room for variation on the theme for a bit of variety.

Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. peanut butter¹
• ~1 Tbsp. jam²

Almond Butter and Banana Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. almond butter
• ~1/2 a banana, sliced
• ~1 tsp. honey (optional)

Snickers Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of toast
• ~2 Tbsp. crunchy peanut butter³
• ~1 1/2 Tbsp. Nutella

Peanut Butter, Apple, and Bacon Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• ~1/4 of an apple, sliced thin
• 2 slices of bacon

Ants on a Log Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• 1 rib of celery, chopped
• ~2 Tbsp. raisins

PB&M Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter
• ~2 Tbsp. marshmallow fluff

Peanut Butter S'Mores Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• ~2 Tbsp. marshmallow fluff
• ~1 Tbsp. Nutella

Cherry-Almond Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. almond butter
• ~2 Tbsp. cherry jam

Chicken Pad Thai Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. peanut butter
• fresh veggies⁴
• fresh herbs (optional)⁵
• ~50g cooked chicken breast pieces
• 1-2 tsp. sri racha (or similar hot sauce)
• 1/2 tsp. lime juice

Pumpkin Seed Butter and Cranberry Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. pumpkin seed butter
• ~1 1/2 Tbsp. cranberry sauce/jam

Pistachio Butter, Goat Cheese, and Apricot Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices of crusty French bread
• ~2 Tbsp. pistacio butter
• ~1 Tbsp. marmalade
• ~2 Tbsp. soft goat cheese (eg. chèvre)
• 2 dried apricots, chopped

Apple-Pecan Sandwich

• 2 slices of bread
• ~2 Tbsp. pecan butter
• ~1 Tbsp. granola (optional)
• 1-2 tsp. maple syrup
• ~1/4 of an apple, sliced thin

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¹ I prefer crunchy "natural" peanut butter (as in no added sugar, salt, or oil). ^Back
2 I like either grape jelly or raspberry jam. Strawberry jam also works well. Feel free to experiment with different flavours! ^Back
3 For most of these sandwiches feel free use whatever type of nut butter your prefer. For the snickers sandwich though, it really does work better with crunchy peanut butter. ^Back
4 Try bean sprouts, grated carrot, sliced cucumber, and/or red onion. ^Back
5 Try cilantro/coriander and/or Thai basil. ^Back

Snacks

I didn't really want to make a separate post for each snack since they're all simple, no-cook, one- or two-ingredient deals. Initially I wasn't going to bother posting them at all, but I figured it might be nice to have a sort of quick-reference list to refer to when planning trips. "Camp" snacks involve items that require refrigeration/a cooler. "Backpacking" snacks are largely shelf-stable and appropriate for either backpacking or car camping.

Camp Snacks

• cheese & crackers
• hummus & crackers
• applesauce¹
• carrot sticks
• cucumber coins
• grapes

Backpacking Snacks

• granola bars
• protein bars
• pepperettes/salami
• jerky
• GORP/trail mix
• dried fruit
• roasted chickpeas
• applesauce (packets)

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Vegan and Vegetarian Options

Most of these snacks are or can be adapted to meatless diets. Soy or nut cheeses can be used instead of dairy cheese. Many vegan protein bars are available these days. There is also at least one good vegan jerky available here in Ontario. Just about the only thing I can't think of a vegan or vegetarian option for is the pepperettes. I think everything else is pretty veggie-friendly.

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¹ I usually like to bring a whole jar of applesauce. It's shelf-stable while sealed, but requires refrigeration after opening. Single-serving pots or packets are more appropriate for backpacking as they don't require refrigeration. The packets are especially easy to pack and more resistant to rupture/failed seals than the pots. ^Back

Milk and Cereal

Ingredients

• milk
• cereal

Optional extras:

• fresh or dried fruit
• yogurt

Directions

Pour yourself a bowl of cereal and slosh some milk over it.
Add some fruit and yogurt if you have it.

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Variations

Backpacking

Ingredients

• powdered milk
• cereal

Optional extras:

• dried fruit

Directions

Portion out milk and cereal (and fruit, if using) in advance and seal in a baggie.
At camp, empty baggie into bowl and add water to reconstitute milk.