This peach cobbler is Jenny’s #1 favorite backpacking dessert — and for good reason. We buy fresh, in-season peaches locally and dehydrate them ourselves, which locks in all that sweet, summery flavor. After a long day of hiking, there’s nothing better than settling in by the fire and digging into a warm bowl of this cobbler. It’s kind of like apple crisp, but honestly, way better. Lightweight, easy to prep, and packed with nostalgic comfort, this recipe is a must-have for your backcountry meal rotation.

Quick Stats

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Trail Time: 10 minutes
  • Fuel Use: Medium (simmer)
  • Shelf Life: 3-6 months
  • Water Requirements: 1 cup

Ingredients (2 servings)

Filling:

  • 1 cup dried peach slices
  • 1/4 tsp citric acid
  • 3 tsp sugar
  • ½ tsp lemon zest

Topping:

  • 5 tbsp oats
  • 4 tbsp pancake mix
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Extras:

  • 2 tbsp ghee

Instructions for At Home

  1. Prepare the Filling:
    In a small plastic bag, combine the dried peach slices, sugar, and lemon zest, and citric acid. Vacuum seal this in a small bag.

  2. Prepare the Dry Topping Mix:
    In a separate medium sized bag, mix oats, pancake mix, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

  3. Package: Place the peach mixture bag inside the medium bag containing the dry topping mixture.

Instructions for Preparation on the Trail

  1. Rehydrate the Filling:
    In a pot, combine the filling (dried peaches mixture) with about 1 cup of water. Warm over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling, just let the peaches soften and absorb the water.

  2. Prepare the Topping:
    While the filling warms, remove from the pot into a bowl and cover. In the pot that you rehydrated the peaches in, melt the butter and mix the in the dry topping (oat mixture) until crumbly. This should be quick since the pot will still be hot from rehydrating the peaches.

  3. Assemble & Warm:
    Pour the peach mixture back into the pot with the oat mixture. Gently stir a few times to saturate the oat mixture. Cover and let it saturate for a few minutes until everything is softened.

  4. Enjoy:
    Serve warm for a delicious, comforting trail dessert!

peach cobbler

Substitution Tips

  • Fruit: Swap dried peaches for dried apples, pears, or mixed berries for variety.
  • Topping: Use gluten-free pancake mix and oats if you need a gluten-free option.
  • Sweetener: Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple sugar for a different flavor profile.

Why We Love It

This Dehydrated Peach Cobbler is a dessert favorite because it’s easy to prepare and brings a taste of home to the wilderness. The combination of sweet, tangy peaches and a buttery cinnamon oat topping is the perfect finish to any outdoor adventure. Plus, the use of dehydrated ingredients means minimal packing space with maximum flavor.