Cooking

You already know packing more stuff isn’t always better. These tasty, three-ingredient, simple backpacking recipes apply that same philosophy to your menu.

Food trends and tastes have changed over the last 50 years—and backpacking fare is no exception.

We narrowed down the best of the best of America’s favorite trail snack.

You hate oatmeal? We don't blame you. It may be the easiest trail breakfast, but more often than not, it also ends up as a tasteless, textureless goop that hikers have to choke down. But suffer no more: These 10 trail-tested oat recipes are easy to make (just mix the ingredients in) and will satisfy even the pickiest eater.

To keep trekking when you have the trots, feed your body the right fuel.

A double dose of chocolate and spice will keep your taste buds hopping this winter.

From curries to seafood soup, these gourmet meals will warm you to your core.

From powdered eggs to fresh apples to entire sausages, here’s the chow that keeps us going.

Nothing says down-home comfort better than a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Assemble these easy recipes at home to upgrade a classic drink.

As defenders of all things outdoors, we can’t let Paul Hollywood’s weird marshmallow hockey pucks stand.

These easy breakfast ideas let you fuel up and break camp without firing up the stove.

A home dehydrator might be the handiest kitchen tool you never knew you needed. Upgrade your backcountry cooking with these drying (and rehydrating) tips.

Despite their eponymous appearance, cow chips, a rich cookie, taste divine.

Whether for breakfast, lunch, or an after-dinner treat, these make-ahead crepes add a touch of class to any campsite.

From "good old raisins and peanuts" to trail mixes spiced with hot peppers, Michigan cherries, beer nuts, and dried carrots, the ultimate backwoods snack comes your way, courtesy of Backpacker readers.

Stop settling for the same blah menu. With these tips, all hikers can prepare trailside Michelin-star-worthy meals. Even the lazy ones.

One hiker combines her loves of cooking and backpacking.

Add four low-carb recipes to your trail cookbook

You really want more granola? Get your carbs in a tasty, new way.

Prep for this no-mess treat is more complicated than boiling water—barely.

Go way beyond Slim Jims with these flavorful, make-ahead snacks.

No dehydrator? No problem. Jury-rig your oven to make this tangy, smoky snack at home.

Noodles in the morning? Trust us on this one.

These hiking mistakes are as common as can be—but there's no excuse for making them.

Protein helps your body maintain muscle mass, prevents next-day soreness, and sustains energy. Pack it in with these filling, recovery-boosting recipes.

Tasty enough for food bloggers, but portable enough for the trail: These homemade hiking snacks will quickly replace any pre-packaged bars from the store.

Wow your friends with this campfire cooking trick.

Build your fitness foundation with this essential physiological info, tips on eating right and exercises for staying in prime hiking shape.

Get trail-fit fast! This 4-week program was designed specifically for hikers by trainers Melissa Racouillat of San Francisco's Stone Clinic and Darren Flagg of Boulder's Animal Strength Human Performance Lab.

Get into the winter spirit with 11 custom recipes for the most classic backpacking dessert.

Get ready for the long fitness haul with these skills, workouts, and essential info.

Class up your camp with these backpacker's crepes.

Instant sweet potatoes and mini marshmallows make this a unique twist on pizza.

Roasted marshmallows aren’t just for s’mores: Use them to top this delicious, easy berry treat.

Take the holidays outdoors with this easy, delicious menu.

Getting outdoors to give thanks doesn’t have to mean dehydrated meals.

Ward off the chill of fall backpacking with a cup of steamy, savory soup.

Get a hearty dose of fruit and vegetables right on the trail.

Bring a little autumn flavor right to the trail with this easy backcountry pie recipe.

What's better than apple pie? Apple pie baked over a campfire, of course.

Those instructions on the brownie box? Feel free to ignore them. This simple technique will get you a gooey, chocolatey dessert in just a few minutes.

Carboload for a full day of hiking with these delicious pasta recipes.

Chewing is overrated. Meet your new favorite, slurpable hiking snacks.

Can't decide on just one cocktail for your adventure? Put together a mobile backcountry bar kit.

Warm weather + short trip = a perfect chance to save time and hassle by leaving your cooking gear at home.

No need to skip your coffee just because you didn't bring your stove.

Warm summer nights were made for grilling. Ditch the backyard for the backcountry with this gear and advice.

When we're burned out on sugary bars and jonesing for some quick calories to help us replenish our stores and re-up our motivation, we reach for one food above all others. Get your daily allotment with Backpacker's favorite cheesy recipes for everything from breakfast through dessert.

Backcountry meals can be boring. Spice them up—literally—with these handy add-ins.

This remixed pancake recipe is the breakfast of your dreams.

Create a foraged spread worthy of the most sophisticated garden party with this fragrant wildflower.

What happens when you introduce condiments to your dehydrator? We head to the kitchen to see if molecular gastronomy can work for hikers, too.

One of our favorite backpacking snacks gets a bagel-themed makeover.

Put a backcountry spin on a fast food cult favorite.

Warm up with this recipe for apple cider with a kick.

In winter, consuming hearty, nutrient-dense foods goes a long way toward keeping you warm. Stoke your inner furnace with these three energy-packed recipes.

We all need a little something to munch on while we wait for the chili to rehydrate. These tasty, easy-prep apps might just be the most memorable part of the meal.

Cold soaking is a popular no-cook method among weight-conscious hikers. But ditching your stove doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor.

Power your thru-hike with the right food, snacks, and resupplies for the long haul.

Who says you need water in your food? Dehydrate your vittles and you'll carry less weight, save money, and eat better.

Just because you're packing in dinner shouldn't mean you have to skip the best course. These sweet treats are well worth the extra ounces.

Get toasty from the inside out with these hot beverages.

Going meatless shouldn’t mean going hungry. These protein-packed vegan recipes will satisfy any hiker.

This backpacking staple can do more than make sandwiches.

Cook and imbibe better by learning how to shop, transport, and use your spirits, wine, and beer.

Leave the freeze-dried meals at home and treat yourself to a gourmet trail meal with our most popular recipes.

Prepare the first meal of the day at home and you'll start hiking sooner—and have on-the-go snacks.

Make these flavorful dishes and you won't need to dump Tabasco on your dinner.

Nothing provides comfort like chocolate—whether it's in a savory soup or a warm mug on a cold night.

Stuck in a ramen rut? Are your camp recipes ultralight but ultra boring? Does your food bag weigh more than you do? Our expert chefs solve these problems and more, with tips, recipes, and gear picks for 9 flood-flummoxed hikers.

Sometimes you just want a little more than a flask of whiskey. Wow your hiking partners with these 13 recipes.

Banish the goosebumps on cold nights with these three belly-warming one-pot recipes.

The challenge: Make a dozen cupcakes with an ultralight stove.

We'll show you how to be ready for the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up.

Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and master more essential skills.