Creative Campfire Cooking: Easy and Delicious Summer Recipes

Campfire cooking often gets boiled down to hot dogs and marshmallows, but it’s so much more. As experienced camp chefs and authors at Fresh Off The Grid, we’ve transformed outdoor meals into art.

Our approach simplifies gourmet campfire cuisine, focusing on single cookware recipes that turn any camping trip into a culinary adventure.

This article dives deep into creative campfire cooking with 14 easy yet delicious summer recipes. From breakfast to dessert, these dishes are mouth-watering and designed for efficiency at the campsite.

Keep reading—adventure awaits in every bite.

Key Takeaways

• You can make gourmet meals over a campfire with simple tools like foil and cast iron skillets. Recipes like Campfire French Toast, Camper’s Breakfast Hash, and Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets show how.
• Prep ingredients at home to save time and make camp cooking easier. This helps for dishes like Chicken Pineapple Kabobs and Shrimp Boil Foil Packets.
• Use a Dutch oven for versatile campfire cooking. It’s great for making big meals like Dutch Oven Lasagna or desserts like Campfire Apple Crisp.
• Desserts around the campfire are easy and tasty. Treats such as Banana Boats, Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt, or Campfire Apple Crisp bring sweetness to your outdoor adventure.
• Cooking outdoors adds fun to camping trips. With these recipes, you can enjoy delicious foods from breakfast to dessert while exploring nature.

Creative Campfire Breakfast Recipes

Wake up to the smell of breakfast cooking over a campfire. These recipes will start your day off right, with flavors that pop and satisfy.

Campfire French Toast

Megan & Michael from Fresh Off The Grid share their Campfire French Toast recipe, making mornings in the great outdoors delicious. This dish adds a twist to outdoor cooking, proving that breakfast can be both easy and exciting.

1. Gather your ingredients: eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, bread, and optional toppings like syrup or fruit.
2. Find a cast-iron skillet. These are perfect for campfire cooking.
3. Start your fire early. You need medium coals for the best cooking heat.
4. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl.
5. Dip each bread slice into the egg mix, coating both sides well.
6. Place the skillet over the campfire but not directly on the flames to avoid burning.
7. Cook each side of the bread until golden brown; this takes a few minutes per side.
8. Serve hot! Add your favorite toppings like fresh berries or maple syrup.

This Campfire French Toast from Megan & Michael turns an ordinary morning into a special one with minimal effort. All you need is a good fire and some basic ingredients to start your day right!

Camper’s Breakfast Hash

Camper’s Breakfast Hash is a great way to start your day outdoors. It combines quick-cooking ingredients in one cookware for easy preparation.

Here’s how you make it:

1. Get your skillet ready on the campfire. A cast iron skillet works best for this.
2. Chop up some potatoes and onions at home. This saves time at camp.
3. Start by cooking the chopped potatoes in the skillet until they’re crispy.
4. Add onions and any other veggies you like, such as bell peppers or zucchini.
5. If you brought sausage links, slice them and toss them into the mix. They add rich flavor.
6. Keep stirring until everything looks golden and smells amazing.
7. Crack a few eggs right on top of your hash. Let them cook until the whites set but yolks are still runny.
8. Sprinkle some cheese over it all, if you have it. Cheese makes everything better.
9. Cover the skillet with foil to melt the cheese quickly and keep everything warm.
10. Serve hot straight from the skillet to enjoy a hearty outdoor breakfast.

Tips:

• Prepping ingredients before your trip makes camp cooking much easier.
• Use a Dutch oven if you have a bigger group—more room for ingredients!
• Experiment with different meats or go meatless if you prefer.

This simple recipe lets campers enjoy more time outside without fussing over food prep too much!

Apple Maple Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches

Apple Maple Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches bring a sweet and savory twist to campfire mornings. They’re perfect for outdoor adventures, combining the coziness of camping food with the delight of a delicious breakfast.

Here’s how to make them:

1. Gather your ingredients: eggs, cheese, English muffins, apple maple sausages, and butter.
2. Cook sausages over the campfire until they’re golden brown on each side.
3. Fry eggs in a cast iron skillet. Add cheese on top to melt.
4. Toast English muffins by placing them near the fire – watch them closely.
5. Assemble sandwiches: Spread butter on muffins, add a sausage on each bottom piece, top with cheesy egg.
6. Serve hot for the most important meal of the day.

This recipe comes with tips for success:

• Prep ingredients at home for less work at the campsite.
• Use foil packets to keep foods warm if cooking in batches.
• A cast iron skillet works best for cooking over a campfire.

The detailed guide ensures you enjoy these sandwiches without much hassle – making your morning in nature even more special.

Delicious and Easy Campfire Lunch Ideas

Campfire lunches turn a simple meal into an adventure. Get ready for tasty shrimp foil packets and melty grilled Brie that elevate outdoor dining.

Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets

Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets make campfire cooking easy and fun. They’re part of 14 brilliant camping recipes perfect for any outdoor adventure.z

1. Prep shrimp at home. Clean and season them with your favorite spices.
2. Cut vegetables into small pieces. Think peppers, onions, and zucchini.
3. Make foil packets. Use heavy-duty foil to hold your ingredients.
4. Add shrimp and veggies in the middle of each foil piece.
5. Drizzle some olive oil. It keeps everything moist and adds flavor.
6. Fold foil edges together tightly. This keeps the steam inside to cook the food.
7. Place packets over campfire coals or on a grill. Avoid open flames to prevent burning.
8. Cook for about 10 – 15 minutes, depending on heat intensity.
9. Carefully open one packet to check if the shrimp are pink and the veggies are tender.
10. Serve right from the foil for an easy clean-up.

These packets offer a quick way to enjoy delicious meals while exploring the great outdoors, ensuring your camping trip is as enjoyable as it is memorable. And they’re good for lightweight backpacking.

Grilled Brie with Wine

After enjoying those Grilled Shrimp Foil Packets, it’s time to switch gears to a cheesy delight. Grilled Brie with Wine offers a rich and indulgent taste perfect for campfire gatherings.

1. Start with a wheel of brie cheese – the creamier, the better. Make sure it’s firm enough to hold its shape on the grill.
2. Choose your wine wisely. A white or rosé adds sweetness and depth without overpowering the cheese.
3. Wrap the brie in a piece of heavy-duty foil. Pour a generous amount of wine over it before sealing.
4. Place this foil packet on hot coals or over a low flame. The key is gentle heat so the cheese melts slowly while soaking up wine flavors.
5. Cooking time varies but aim for about 10 – 15 minutes. You’ll want the brie soft to touch but not too runny.
6. While waiting, prepare your sides – crusty bread, crackers, or sliced fruit like apples and pears complement the melted cheese beautifully.
7. Once done, carefully open the foil packet – steam can be hot! Use a small knife or spoon to create an opening on top of the brie.
8. Serve right away while it’s warm and gooey. Invite everyone to dip their chosen sides into this melty treasure.

Cookware like skillets and foil packets make meals like Grilled Brie with Wine both easy and delicious at any campsite. This simple yet sophisticated dish impresses without requiring much effort or ingredients from home—perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your outdoor adventures.

Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos

Chipotle Grilled Chicken Tacos are a hit for campfire cooking. They mix easy prep with delicious flavors, perfect for any outdoor adventure. Here’s how you make them:

1. Marinate chicken in chipotle peppers, garlic, lime juice, and olive oil. This gives the meat a smoky and tangy flavor that’s irresistible.
2. Grill the chicken over the campfire until it’s perfectly cooked. The smokiness of the fire adds to the flavor.
3. Warm up tortillas on the grill for a minute on each side. This makes them soft and ready to wrap around your fillings.
4. Chop grilled chicken into bite – size pieces and place them in the tortillas.
5. Add toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cheese. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream for creaminess.
6. Drizzle with more chipotle sauce or salsa for extra spice if you like it hot.
7. Serve right away while everything is still warm.

With these tacos, you get a meal that’s both simple to make and satisfying to eat at any campsite.

Next, we’ll talk about mouth-watering dinner recipes for your next trip…

Mouth-Watering Campfire Dinner Recipes

Our campfire dinner recipes make the outdoors taste even better, promising meals that fill you up and please your taste buds.

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets

Shrimp Boil Foil Packets are a hit for campfire cooking. They make mealtime easy and fun, packed with flavors that satisfy.

1. Prep at home: Cut up potatoes, corn, and sausage into bite-sized pieces. This saves time at the campsite.
2. Season well: Mix these ingredients in a bowl with Old Bay seasoning for that authentic shrimp boil taste.
3. Add shrimp last: Toss in shrimp with a bit more seasoning to ensure they’re flavorful.
4. Make foil packets: Divide the mix onto sheets of foil, wrapping them tightly to keep all the juices in.
5. Cook over campfire: Place packets on hot coals for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
6. Check doneness: Carefully open one packet to see if potatoes are soft and shrimp pink.
7. Serve hot: Open packets and enjoy straight from the foil for an easy cleanup.

These steps make Shrimp Boil Foil Packets a breeze to cook outdoors. Plus, prepping ahead means more time to enjoy nature. Megan & Michael of Fresh Off The Grid share this recipe to transform camp cooking into a simple joy, proving great meals can come from small fires.

Chicken Pineapple Kabobs

Chicken Pineapple Kabobs offer a sweet and savory taste perfect for campfire cooking. This dish makes dinner time at the campsite exciting and delicious. Here’s how you cook them:

1. Gather skewers and a grill—basic tools needed to cook these kabobs efficiently.
2. Prepare ingredients at home: cut chicken, pineapple, onions, and bell peppers.
3. Marinate chicken pieces in a mix of your favorite spices and sauces for added flavor.
4. Thread chicken, pineapple, onions, and bell peppers onto skewers, alternating them.
5. Heat the grill over the campfire—make sure it’s hot enough for cooking.
6. Place kabobs on the grill; cook each side until chicken is well – done and veggies are slightly charred.
7. Turn kabobs occasionally for even cooking, checking to make sure they’re not burning.
8. Enjoy your meal right off the grill or pair with rice or salad for a fuller dinner.

This recipe comes from a collection of 14 easy camping dishes designed for convenience and taste at your summer camping site. A step-by-step guide helps even beginners to whip up this meal without hassle.

Moving on to must-try desserts after enjoying Chicken Pineapple Kabobs…

Dutch Oven Lasagna

Dutch Oven Lasagna brings a taste of home to the campsite. It’s a delicious dinner that’s easy to cook over a campfire.

• First, gather all your ingredients. You’ll need lasagna noodles, ground beef or sausage, tomato sauce, cheese, and your favorite vegetables.
• Prep everything at home. Chop your veggies and grate the cheese before you leave. This saves time and makes cooking easier.
• At the campsite, start by cooking the meat in the Dutch oven over the campfire until it’s brown.
• Add your tomato sauce and veggies to the meat. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Now, layer your lasagna. Start with meat sauce at the bottom of the Dutch oven.
• Next, add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. No need to boil them first!
• Spread a layer of cheese on top of the noodles.
• Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients or space in your Dutch oven.
• Cover with more cheese because you can never have too much cheese.
• Put the lid on your Dutch oven. Place it on hot coals but not directly in the fire. Shovel some coals on top of the lid too.
• Let it cook for about 45 minutes to an hour. Check if it’s done by seeing if the noodles are soft.
• Once cooked, let it sit for a few minutes before serving.

This recipe shows that with just one pot and simple prep work at home, campers can enjoy mouth-watering meals like Dutch Oven Lasagna at their campsite without fuss. Plus, getting to share a hearty meal after an adventurous day outdoors makes camping even more rewarding.

Must-Try Campfire Desserts

Ending your campfire meal with a sweet touch is essential. These desserts will make everyone ask for more, from fruity to chocolatey treats.

Campfire Apple Crisp

Everyone loves a sweet treat while camping. Campfire Apple Crisp makes it easy and fun.

1. Get your ingredients ready at home—this saves time. You’ll need apples, oats, butter, cinnamon, and sugar. Keep them in a cooler.
2. At the campsite, slice the apples. Thin slices cook faster.
3. Mix oats, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl. This is your crisp topping.
4. Take a large piece of foil. Place sliced apples in the center.
5. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples evenly.
6. Dot with pieces of butter on top—the more, the merrier for a rich flavor.
7. Seal the foil tightly around your apple mix to keep steam inside.
8. Place the foil packet near campfire coals, not directly in flames—a hot spot does the trick.
9. Let it cook for about 15 – 20 minutes or until apples are soft.
10. Carefully open the foil packet to avoid steam burns—it’s hot!
11. Enjoy as is or boost it with vanilla ice cream on top—pure bliss under starry nights.

For detailed steps and measurements, click “Get the Recipe”. This guide ensures you can whip up Campfire Apple Crisp without hassle anytime you’re outdoors!

Banana Boats

After exploring the sweet delight of Campfire Apple Crisp, we move to another dessert favorite: Banana Boats. Megan & Michael from Fresh Off The Grid share their expertise on creating this must-try campfire treat. Their blog is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about camp cooking recipes.

Here’s how to make Banana Boats:

1. Gather your ingredients. You’ll need bananas, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, aluminum foil, and any additional toppings you love.
2. Start by slicing the banana peel open along its curve. Be careful not to cut all the way through the banana.
3. Stuff the banana with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Feel free to get creative here! Add nuts or caramel for extra flavor.
4. Wrap the stuffed banana securely in aluminum foil.
5. Place it over the campfire coals or on a grill rack. Cook for about 5 – 10 minutes, depending on how gooey you want it.
6. Carefully unwrap the foil after cooking. Watch out; it’s hot!
7. Enjoy right from the peel with a spoon—no plates needed.

This dessert is perfect for a cozy night around the fire, offering both warmth and sweetness in each bite.

Megan & Michael also provide excellent advice on choosing camping gear and cookware needed for making Banana Boats successfully. Their detailed guide ensures that even first-timers can enjoy this delicious treat without any hiccups.

So next time you’re under the stars, remember these simple steps for a delightful campfire dessert that’s sure to please everyone!

Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt

Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt is a summer favorite. Megan & Michael from Fresh Off The Grid show how easy it is to make this treat at the campsite.

1. Start by cutting peaches in half and removing the pits.
2. Heat the grill to medium.
3. Place peach halves cut side down on the grill.
4. Grill for 4–5 minutes or until you see grill marks.
5. Mix honey and yogurt in a bowl while peaches cook.
6. Take peaches off the grill when done.
7. Put grilled peach halves on plates.
8. Spoon honey yogurt over warm peaches.
9. Serve right away for a sweet, creamy dessert.

This recipe turns simple ingredients into a delicious end to any meal outdoors.

Conclusion

Cooking outdoors brings joy and new flavors to our meals. With these creative campfire recipes, you’re all set for a summer filled with delicious memories. These easy steps and simple cookware, and Leave No Trace principles, can turn any campsite into an eco-friendly summer camping kitchen.

Prep at home, then enjoy the magic of cooking under the stars. Happy camping and happy eating!

FAQs

What are some easy and delicious campfire breakfast recipes?

• Campfire French Toast – Dip bread in an egg and milk mixture, then cook it in a skillet over the fire. Top with syrup, fruit, or powdered sugar.
• Camper’s Breakfast Hash – Sauté potatoes, onions, peppers and sausage or bacon in a cast iron skillet for a hearty one-pan meal. Crack eggs on top at the end.
• Breakfast Burritos – Wrap scrambled eggs, cheese, beans, salsa and veggies in tortillas and heat over the fire for an easy handheld breakfast.

What are some tips for easier campfire cooking?

• Prepping ingredients at home before your trip. Chop veggies, mix sauces, and portion out meats in advance.
• Use foil packets to cook full meals with minimal cleanup. Wrap ingredients in heavy duty foil to steam over the fire.
• Bring a Dutch oven to make one-pot meals like soups, stews, lasagna and desserts. The cast iron retains heat well.
• Focus on recipes that use minimal cookware and don’t require a lot of hands-on time, so you can enjoy camping.

What are some creative campfire dinner ideas?

• Shrimp Boil Foil Packets – Combine shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes in a foil pack with Cajun seasoning.
• Dutch Oven Lasagna – Layer noodles, sauce, cheese and toppings in a Dutch oven for a comforting camp meal.
• Chicken Pineapple Kabobs – Thread marinated chicken and pineapple on skewers and grill over the fire.
• Campfire Nachos – Arrange tortilla chips, beans, cheese and toppings in a skillet and melt over the fire. Serve with salsa.

What are some sweet desserts to make while camping?

End your campfire meals on a sweet note with easy dessert recipes like:

• Banana Boats – Slice a banana lengthwise and stuff with chocolate, marshmallows, and toppings. Wrap in foil and heat over coals.
• Grilled Peaches with Honey Yogurt – Grill peach halves and serve with a dollop of honey-sweetened yogurt for a light dessert.
• Campfire Apple Crisp – Toss apple slices with sugar and spices in a Dutch oven, top with an oat crumble, and bake in campfire coals.
• S’mores, of course! Roast marshmallows and sandwich with chocolate between graham crackers for the quintessential campfire treat.