10 Healthy and Easy Overland Cooking Recipes

Written by: Victoria Wolfgang

There's nothing like a weekend overlanding getaway in nature to recharge and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones outside our busy 9 to 5 schedules. But with multiple mouths to feed and different preferences to consider, planning nutritional meals for the whole family can be a hefty obstacle to overcome in getting the family outdoors. 

So we put together this list of 10 Quick and Easy Overland Cooking Recipes for Families that utilize similar healthy ingredients to streamline your trip to the grocery store, satisfy each member of the family with customizable options, and maximize the time you spend relaxing and/or exploring on your weekend nature retreat.

Check out this list of 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and a bonus dessert that can be easily prepared with the minimal equipment listed below. This list is perfect for a 3-day extended weekend. Buy frozen veggies anywhere they are listed for added ease, or prep them in advance yourself for a fresher yummier flavor.

Required Overland Cooking Gear:

• overland cooking stove and fuel with lighter or a camp griddle (or campfire and grill gate)
• 1 large pot
• 1-2 large skillets/pans
• 1 large mixing bowl
• 1 rubber spatula
• 1 mixing spoon
• 1 measuring cup (if you'r not comfortable eyeballing measurements)
• knife (paring knife is best for veggies)
• camp bowls with lids and sporks for each family member

Optional Gear:

• ziplock baggies
• masking tape and sharpie
• Tupperware containers 

Spices and cooking oil recommended:

• butter (clarified butter/ghee is lactose-free) or coconut oil
• salt
• pepper
• garlic
• cinnamon 

Overland Cooking Breakfast Recipes:

1. Loaded Oatmeal (or overnight oats)

Image credits to BudgetBytes

The easiest overland cooking breakfast recipe of all, yet still full of protein and sure to please the sweet tooth in the family with a few chocolate chips thrown in. Use store-bought flavor packets from a variety pack and add the toppings later, or prepare your own individual ziplock baggies or overnight oat bowls with 1/2 cup of oats each and any toppings or spices of your choice. 

Ingredients:

• oatmeal (4-8 packets or 1/2 cup per person)
• milk for overnight oats (dairy, almond, soy, or oat)

Optional Toppings: 

• dried fruit and nut mix
• dates (chopped)
• Coconut shavings
• fruit (blueberries, bananas, apple slices, strawberries,rasberries) 
• dark chocolate chips
• chia seeds (recommended for overnight oats)
• honey
• cinnamon

Directions: Empty contents of oatmeal packets or previously prepared baggies into bowls, add boiling water to desired thickness, stir and cover with lids. Add desired toppings and enjoy.

*For overnight oats, prepare before you leave. Combine oatmeal, a 1/2 cup of chia seeds, and desired toppings into individual Tupperware containers, and add milk until contents are fully submerged. Place in the fridge the night before your trip. 

*Protip: use a bit of masking tape and a sharpie to label the baggies or Tupperware with names

*Overnight oats typically last up to 3 days if kept in a fridge or cooler with ice.

2. Breakfast Burritos

Burritos are delicious, easily customizable, and pack the protein punch you'll want for all your overland activities.

Ingredients:

• tortillas (wheat, 4-8)
• eggs (scrambled 8-10)
• salt/pepper/garlic
• beans (black, 1 can of 28 oz)
• Optional Toppings: 
• veggies (chopped onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, broccoli, tomato)
• avocado
• cheese (1 bag shredded, 6 oz)
• salsa (store-bought)
• meat option: ground beef (1 lb)

Directions:

*For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by chopping and combining into a large ziplock bag, then storing in the fridge or cooler. Otherwise, chop them before you begin.

Add a tablespoon of cooking oil/butter to pan on medium heat. Crack eggs into large bowl and whisk until yolks and whites are combined. Add eggs to hot pan and scramble with a rubber spatula. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook chopped veggies together with eggs or return cooked eggs to the large bowl (rinsed and wiped) separately after they are finished. Strain water from beans (you can simply use the lid to empty the liquid) and cook beans in a pot with salt, pepper, and garlic until warmed through. Repeat the process with ground beef if desired. Add eggs and beans to one-half of each tortilla. Add desired toppings. Wrap by folding each corner of the tortilla, then rolling it into a burrito.

3. Fruity French Toast with a side of Protein (Meat or Veggie Substitute)

Image credits to GardenDesignRV

A delicious overland cooking recipe that sneaks in some extra protein value with its sweetness.

Ingredients:

• bread (whole grain, or go brioche for added indulgence and wow factor, 8 slices)
• eggs (4)
• milk (dairy, almond, soy, or oat, 1 cup)

Optional Toppings:

• maple syrup
• honey (a syrup substitute with no fat and added vitamins)
• fruit (bananas, blueberries, strawberries, chopped apples)
• peanut butter
• Nutella
• cinnamon
• dark chocolate chips
• dates (chopped)
• dried fruit and nut mix
• add a breakfast protein like bacon or ground beef formed into sausage patties (or a veggie substitute like beyond meat, 1 lb)
• vanilla extract (for the batter)

Directions: Chop fruit or dates first. Combine eggs and milk and whisk/stir vigorously until liquid is uniform in color. Dunk a slice of bread in the liquid, submerge and soak briefly, then quickly move it to the skillet using a spatula or fork. Cook until golden brown on both sides, flipping halfway through. Repeat the process until all pieces are cooked. Keep the cooked slices on a plate or bowl covered with a lid or paper towel to keep warm. Add desired toppings and serve.

*Protip: bring along a small bottle of vanilla extract and add a few drops to the batter for added flavor. 4-5 drops will suffice.

If adding a side of protein, cook on a separate skillet or after french toast is finished. Form beef or beyond meat into small patties with hands, adding salt pepper, and garlic, then cook until browned on both sides. Or cook bacon or fakin' strips on both sides until desired level of crispiness is reached. Place cooked protein on a paper towel-covered plate to absorb excess grease.

Overland Cooking Lunch Recipes:

1. Sandwiches

Image credits to Ohio Magazine

The simplest overlanding lunch recipe of all, sandwiches are the best choice to quickly prep and pack for mid-day activities like hiking, kayaking, or climbing and can easily be eaten all 3 days in different varieties for the family that is always on the go.

Ingredients:

• bread (whole grain or pita; 8 slices bread or 4 pitas)
• choose at least 2 toppings below

Optional Toppings: 

• peanut butter
• jelly
• honey
• Nutella
• fruit (sliced bananas, sliced apples, blueberries, strawberries)
• hummus
• veggies (sliced onions, cucumber, tomato)
• deli meat
• deli cheeses
• tuna fish canned

Directions:

Chop fresh fruit or veggies first. Smear bread slices with chosen condiments and toppings.

Recommended pairings: The classic PBJ; peanut butter with sliced bananas, honey, and cinnamon; Nutella, bananas and blueberries, hummus and veggies; meat and cheese with or without veggies; creativity encouraged!

*For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by slicing and combining them into large ziplock bags or Tupperware and storing them in the fridge or cooler.

2. Quinoa and Veggies

Image credits to Dude That Cookz

Quinoa is full of protein and fiber and keeps you feeling fuller longer during overlanding adventures. Add vegetables to make an already healthy choice even more nutritious and delicious.

Ingredients:

• quinoa
• veggies (onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, squash)

Optional Toppings: 

• tofu (firm or extra firm, 12 oz)
• cheese (1 bag shredded, 6 oz)

Directions: *For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by chopping and combining them into a large ziplock bag and storing in the fridge or cooler.

Add 1 and 1/2 cups dry quinoa to large pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and stir every few minutes until water is fully absorbed. While quinoa cooks chop veggies (and tofu if desired) and cook in a separate pan/skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. Combine veggies and cheese into pot with quinoa, stir and serve, or allow each person to add their chosen toppings if you're dealing with picky eaters.

3. Egg Drop Ramen

Image credits to Pinterest User - The Woks of Life

This convenient go-to overlanding meal from our college days gets a makeover with nutritious veggies, egg drop ribbons, and various sauces to cater to everyone's desired level of spice.

Ingredients:

• Ramen (4 servings any packet/flavor of your choice, just pay attention to the serving sizes, choose soba or rice noodles for an even healthier option)
• eggs 3-4

Optional Toppings: 

• veggies (onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
• tofu
• soy sauce
• sriracha Sauce
• peanuts

Directions:

*For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by chopping and combining them into a large ziplock bag and storing in the fridge or cooler.

Add ramen noodle blocks to large pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and stir every few minutes until noodles are al dente (ideal firmness) then stir in any flavor packets included in the ramen packaging. For the egg drop effect, crack eggs into a bowl and whisk with a fork until yolks and whites are combined. Then whisk while you add the eggs into the pot with ramen over medium heat so it cooks and forms ribbons in the broth. Cook chosen veggies and/or tofu in a separate skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic to taste until desired level of firmness is reached. Combine veggies/tofu into pot with ramen, stir and serve, or allow each person to add their chosen toppings. Sprinkle with peanuts from your trail mix to garnish.

Note: You can combine the cooked noodles, seasoning, and whisked eggs in a skillet to cook if you prefer scrambled eggs.

Overland Cooking Dinner Recipes:

1. Sweet Potato and Blackbean Tacos

Image credits to Eat This

A vegetarian take on the crowd-pleasing tacos, customizable as always, according to dietary needs and preferences

Ingredients:

• tortillas (wheat, 4-8 )
• beans (black, 1 can of 28 oz)
• sweet potatoes (diced into small cubes, buy pre-diced and frozen for added ease)

Optional Toppings: 

• veggies (onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli)
• soy sauce
• sriracha Sauce
• avocado
• cheese (1 bag shredded or feta crumbles)
• ground beef for meat eaters or a veggie substitute like beyond meat (1 lb)

Directions: *For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by chopping and combining them into a large ziplock bag and storing in the fridge or cooler.

Strain and rinse black beans. Cook sweet potato in a skillet over medium heat with salt/pepper/garlic until the desired level of firmness is reached, then add black beans and any chosen veggies and continue cooking until they are cooked through also. Add salt/pepper/garlic to taste. Stir every few minutes until warmed through then remove from heat. Move to a spare bowl. Repeat the process with ground beef if desired. Heat tortillas in the skillet then allow each person to add their chosen toppings to the tortillas and serve.

2. Raviolis

Image credits to Lidl Kochen

Numerous varieties of pre-cooked options are available (including, meat, cheese, and veggie fillings) making this meal both easy and fun. Mix and match fillings as desired.

Ingredients:

• ravioli (1 family size bag or 35 oz)
• sauce (marinara, traditional or alfredo, 24-35 oz)

Optional Toppings: 

• cheese (1 bag shredded, 6 oz)

Directions:

Add ravioli to pot with salted boiling water over medium heat. Stir every few minutes until cooked through, then strain and remove from heat. Add chosen sauce and any desired toppings, and serve.

3. Pita Pizzas

Image credits to Take the truck

Sure to please every member of your family, follow this pita pizza overlanding recipe using a camp stove or cook them over a campfire and grill gate for the added nostalgic vibe.

Ingredients:

• pitas (wheat 4-8)
• sauce (marinara, traditional, alfredo or pesto, 24-35 oz)
• cheese (1 bag shredded, 6 oz)

Optional Toppings: 

• veggies (onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, broccoli)
• sriracha Sauce
• BBQ sauce

Directions:  

*For added ease prepare any desired veggies before you leave by chopping and combining them into a large ziplock bag and storing them in the fridge or cooler.

Place a tablespoon of oil or butter in a skillet. Heat pitas in skillet over low heat. After flipping, increase to medium heat, spread pitas with desired sauce using a spoon. Sprinkle with cheese and desired toppings for each family member. Heat until cheese melts and serve.

*Alternatively, you can wrap pita pizzas in aluminum foil and place in a pan or over a campfire, and rotate occasionally until evenly cooked.

Overland Cooking Desert

1. Banana boats

Image credits to Charbroil

A little more exciting than the traditional smores option and especially fun to cook over a campfire! These banana boats are the perfect overland cooking recipe to finish off your outdoorsy evenings.

Ingredients:

• aluminum foil
• bananas (4)

Optional Toppings: 

• Nutella
• honey
• chocolate syrup
• peanut butter
• nuts and/or raisins
• dates (chopped)
• chocolate chips
• fresh fruits (blueberries, strawberries)
• marshmallows

Directions:

Slice each banana down the middle (only slice the peel) and stuff it with desired toppings. You can mash the banana to the sides to make extra room. Wrap in tin foil and heat over a campfire or place in a pan or pot on a camp stove/griddle on medium heat for a few minutes. Unwrap your banana boats and enjoy!