When you head out for a weekend of backpacking, there is a lot to prepare: tent, sleeping bag, apparel, and first aid supplies are just the beginning. But, of course, you also have to consider what you will eat all weekend. Camping meals can be one of the best parts of your hiking adventure, especially if you take the time to create tasty and filling dishes. Not sure where to start? Check out these easy campfire recipes below.
Breakfast
Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
You’re probably not going to cart this into the woods on a backpacking trip, but if you’re car camping with your family, this sweet breakfast makes a great camping meal for kids. Just pop cinnamon rolls onto your roasting sticks and get to cooking over those hot coals! What You Need:
- A roll of pre-packaged cinnamon rolls from the refrigerated section of your grocery store
- Roasting sticks
- A campfire
For cooking instructions, click here.
Campfire Bacon on a Stick
Bacon goes with any meal, amiright?! But something about camping dictates that our meals come prepared on a stick, and bacon is no different. It’s simple, easy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, you’ll make the meat lovers in your family feel loved and energetic for your next hike. What You Need:
- Roasting sticks
- A package of bacon
For cooking instructions, click here.
Breakfast Burritos
Who doesn’t love a good breakfast burrito? They’re hearty and tasty, making for the perfect breakfast with a cup of coffee. Even better? This recipe is a make-ahead camp meal, meaning you do all of the prep work from the comforts of your kitchen. When you’re ready to eat at camp, throw the foil-wrapped burritos into the fire to warm them up. Breakfast is served! Since all of the work is done at home, this is a great camping meal for groups so that everyone can fend for themselves. What You Need:
- Eggs
- Sausage (optional)
- Onions
- Spices
- Tortillas
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Salsa
- Foil to wrap them in
For cooking instructions, click here.
Campfire French Toast
Who says you can’t cook toast over a campfire? This recipe proves that even classic recipes like French toast can be brought to life in the backcountry. Not only that, but it’s an easy recipe for large groups of people since you can cook an entire loaf of bread in a single setting. What You Need:
- 1 loaf of bread (your choice)
- Strawberries
- 1 carton of liquid egg product
- Cinnamon
- Aluminum Foil
- Parchment Paper
For cooking instructions, click here.
Dinner
Dutch Oven Lasagna
Have you cooked with a Dutch oven before? If not, read up on the topic, because Dutch ovens make some of the tastiest camp dinners! This recipe sounds complicated: Who has the time to layer lasagna while at camp?! But this step is oh-so-easy in your newly acquired Dutch oven. You simply grab fresh pasta along with all the fixins’ and layer it up inside the Dutch oven. Then, you can set it and forget it in the hot coals, making this a great meal for a family or a large group of campers. What You Need:
- A Dutch oven
- Pasta sauce
- Fresh lasagna noodles
- Fresh spinach
- Mozzarella cheese
For cooking instructions, click here.
Tacos in a Bag
Not only are these tacos tasty, but they are also easy to serve and require minimal cleanup at camp - no plates needed! You know those small bags of corn chips? They are the star of this meal. Each camper can pick which chips she wants for her “taco shell” and the rest comes down to toppings. Prep the veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, etc.) at home and brown the ground beef at camp. Then, everything goes into the bag to eat with a fork. What You Need:
- One small bag of chips per diner
- Tomatoes (chopped at home for easier planning)
- Lettuce (chopped at home)
- Ground beef/turkey/tofu
- Taco Seasoning
- Cheese
For cooking instructions, click here.
Dutch Oven Pizza
Pull out that Dutch oven again, because you’re going to need it for this recipe. Pizza at camp is ooey and gooey, making it the perfect meal after a long day of hiking. But what makes this pizza recipe extra easy is its simple nature. There is no muss, no fuss, and practically no dishes. You just throw everything into the Dutch oven, and the result is a warm and delicious meal. What You Need:
- Olive oil
- Tube of pre-made pizza dough
- Pizza sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Desired pizza toppings
For cooking instructions, click here.
Campfire Quesadillas
This recipe is so simple that my husband and I make it while backpacking, too. The ingredient list is small and if you have the patience to wait, you only need a small, lightweight frying pan to cook the quesadillas over a backpacking stove or campfire. The trick is making sure the cheese is fully melted, because who wants a quesadilla with chunks of cold cheese?! What You Need:
- Tortillas
- Mozzarella cheese
- Chicken (optional - if you decide to add protein, it can be easier to cook this at home)
- Salsa
For cooking instructions, click here.
Campfire Hobo Packs
Hobo packs have long been a staple in campfire cooking and have gone by a myriad of names. But the end point is the same: dice and prep the meal at home, customizing each pack to individual food preferences, and throw the foil packets on the fire at camp. It’s super simple and kids love to discover what is in their hobo pack! What You Need:
- Chicken
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Peppers
- Spices to taste
For cooking instructions, click here.
Campfire Loaded Baked Potatoes
Everyone loves a good potato, but they are even more satisfying when you can load them up with your favorite toppings. These potatoes are no different, and they’re an easy make-ahead camping meal. Simply prep all of the toppings at home and separate them into sealed containers. Instead of throwing the wrapped potatoes in a slow cooker, toss them into the fire to cook. You can add the toppings afterwards. What You Need:
- Raw potatoes (one per camper)
- Foil
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
- Desired toppings (popular choices include sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, and bacon bits)
For cooking instructions, click here.
