Simplify your camping breakfast with this overnight oats recipe that prepares itself while you sleep! These protein-packed overnight oats combine rolled oats, nuts, and fresh fruit for a delicious, energy-boosting breakfast that requires zero morning effort.

Mornings at the campsite can be hectic. Between packing up for the day’s activities and trying to get everyone fed, there are days when the last thing you want to do is drag out the camp stove and then scrub dishes before you head out for a day full of activities.

That’s where these overnight oats come in! These take just a few minutes to prep the night before and require ZERO cooking. All you have to do is mix and stick them in the cooler overnight.

The result is an energizing and nutrition-packed breakfast waiting for you once you manage to crawl out of your cozy sleeping bag in the morning. They are the perfect base for all kinds of toppings, so everyone in your family can make them just the way they want. Overnight oats are infinitely customizable with seasonal fruits and different mix-ins. We’ve been eating these for breakfast at camp for years and have yet to get bored of them!

Ingredients

Let’s break down what makes this recipe work and how you can adapt it to your preferences:

Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture. Quick oats tend to get mushy, while steel-cut oats need cooking and won’t soften properly overnight.
Milk: Regular dairy milk works great, but plant-based options work, too (we love the creaminess of oat milk).
Cashews: These add a buttery crunch, but feel free to substitute with chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, or a mix of your favorites.
Nut Butter: Almond or peanut butter adds some protein and flavor.
Chia & Hemp Seeds: Hemp seeds add some texture and nutrition. The chia seeds help thicken the oats a bit.
Fresh Fruit: We like sliced berries and bananas in our oats. Or, dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots are also great options that don’t require cooler space.

Tips

Here are a few things I’ve learned to make this recipe work perfectly in a camping setting:

Pre-portion and pack your dry ingredients (oats, seeds, nuts) together in a container before your trip
For extra flavor, add a dash of cinnamon or vanilla to the oats before chilling
The oats should soak IN your cooler overnight, not at ambient temperature. As a general rule, perishable food items shouldn’t be left unrefrigerated for longer than 2 hours, especially in warm weather.
I’ve found wide-mouth mason jars work well, but any sealable container will do. Individual containers mean everyone can customize their own breakfast.

A mason jar with visible layers of oats, smooth nut butter, yogurt, and sliced strawberries rests on a wooden surface outdoors, with a blurred tree background.

Fresh Off The Grid

Overnight Oats

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Overnight oats are a hassle-free camping breakfast. Simple, filling, and ready when you wake up at your campsite!

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Prep Time 2

Cook Time 0

Soaking Time 8

Total Time 8 2

Makes: 2 servings

Ingredients Instructions

Ingredients

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
¼ cup chopped cashews
¼ cup almond or peanut butter
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
2 teaspoons chia seeds
½ cup fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, blueberries, etc)

Instructions

In the evening, combine the oats and milk in a sealable container, stir, and place in the cooler (or fridge).
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup milk
In the morning, divide the oats between two bowls and top with hemp and chia seeds, nuts, nut butter, and fruit.
¼ cup chopped cashews, ¼ cup almond or peanut butter, 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, 2 teaspoons chia seeds, ½ cup fresh fruit