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Cheddar Bacon Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls You Rehydrate in One Pot

Be the first to rate itBy TrailFed Camp KitchenReviewed by Blake | TrailFed
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Quick answer

Boil 1 1/2 cups of water on a camp stove or fire. Pour it over dehydrated hash browns, dried onion and pepper in a lidded pot, then let it sit off the heat for 12 minutes. Drain any extra water, stir in cheddar powder, oil and bacon bits, and eat. About 20 minutes total.

Cheddar Bacon Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls You Rehydrate in One Pot Illustrative Photo
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This is a no-fuss breakfast for mornings when you want to eat and get moving. Everything is dry and shelf-stable, so you carry it in a bag and add water at camp. There is no pan to scrub and no cooler to pack.

The bowl is soft, cheesy and salty, closer to a savory breakfast mash than a crispy diner hash. Smoked paprika and bacon bits give it a campfire flavor. A few shakes of hot sauce finish it.

Recipe card

Cheddar Bacon Hash Brown Breakfast Bowls You Rehydrate in One Pot

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Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Heat
High flame to boil, then off the heat
Pack weight
1 lb
TrailFit
  • Campfire
  • Camp stove
  • Backpacking
  • No cooler needed
  • One burner
  • Low water
  • One-pan cleanup
  • Shelf-stable
  • Prep ahead

Ingredients

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Gear you'll need

  • 1.5-quart pot with a tight lid
  • Camp stove or grate over a fire
  • Long-handled spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 2 bowls or mugs
  • Bandana or mesh strainer

Steps

  1. Boil the water

    Pour 1 1/2 cups of water into your pot and bring it to a rolling boil on a stove or a grate over the fire. Take it off the heat.

  2. Add the dry mix

    Put the hash browns, onion, bell pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper into the hot water. Stir well so nothing clumps.

  3. Cover and wait

    Put the lid on tightly. Wrap the pot in a jacket or set it in a sleeping-bag stuff sack to hold the heat, and let it sit 12 minutes.

  4. Check the texture

    Stir once around the 6-minute mark. The potatoes should be tender with no hard, papery bits. If they are still firm, add a splash of boiling water and wait 3 more minutes.

  5. Drain if soupy

    If there is loose water, hold the lid ajar and pour it off. Strain it through a bandana or mesh and pack out any food bits.

  6. Stir in the toppings

    Add the cheese powder, oil and bacon bits. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy coating. Add a splash of hot water if it feels dry.

  7. Season and serve

    Taste and add salt if you need it. Spoon into two bowls or mugs and add hot sauce. Eat while hot.

Trail Notes

Make ahead

Mix the hash browns, onion, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cheese powder, salt and pepper in a zip bag at home. Keep the bacon bits in a separate small bag. At camp, dump the dry mix into the pot, add the bacon bits at the end and you are done.

Swap

For eggs, whisk 1/4 cup powdered whole egg with 1/4 cup cold water. After draining the potatoes, stir it in over low heat until fully set, 2 to 3 minutes. Eggs are done at 160°F, with no runny spots. For a crispier bowl, brown the finished mix in a skillet with a spoonful of oil.

Safety

Boiling water scalds. Pour away from your hands, and set the pot on level, stable ground while it sits.

Leave no trace

Scatter strained water at least 200 feet from streams, lakes and camp. Pack out all bacon bits, potato scraps and packaging. Lick the pot clean and wipe it with a bandana to cut down on washing.

Round out your camp day

Picked to work with the same kit as this recipe.

LunchJust-Add-Water Southwest Black Bean and Rice BowlsReady in 20 min · Just Add Water · No coolerDinnerBackpacking Chili Mac with Textured Soy Protein, Tomato Powder and CheddarReady in 25 min · Just Add Water · No coolerSnack or treatJust-Add-Water Apricot Pistachio Couscous Snack CupsReady in 15 min · Just Add Water · No cooler

More backpacking meals →Planning a trip? Get the free 3-day meal plan →

Campers ask

Can you rehydrate hash browns with cold water while camping?

Yes, but it takes longer, about 30 to 45 minutes in a sealed jar. Hot water is faster and gives a softer, more cooked texture.

How do you keep dehydrated food warm while it rehydrates?

Use a tight-fitting lid and wrap the pot in a jacket, towel or sleeping bag stuff sack. That holds the heat for the full soak.

Are dehydrated hash browns good for backpacking?

Yes. They are light and shelf-stable and need only hot water and about 12 minutes. Pre-mix everything in one bag to save time.

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