🔥 17 Campfire Recipes You’ll Actually Want to Make
There’s something magical about cooking over an open flame. The smell of wood smoke, the sizzle of foil packets, and the laughter of family gathered around a campfire all make meals taste better. These 17 recipes are handpicked for campers who want flavor without fuss. We’ve included foil packet favorites, Dutch oven winners, and cast iron classics that work at any skill level.
Each recipe below includes a short story, cooking tips, and suggested gear to make your experience even easier. Bonus: many of them use minimal ingredients and easy prep you can do at home!
Table of Contents
- Foil Pack Campfire Recipes
- Dutch Oven Camping Recipes
- Cast Iron & Skillet Camping Recipes
- Easy Campfire Desserts
- Bonus Camping Food Ideas
🥔 Foil Pack Campfire Recipes
1. Sausage & Veggie Foil Packs
These hearty foil packs are a go-to in our family. They’re easy to prep at home, which makes campsite setup a breeze. Combine smoked sausage slices with chopped baby potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Wrap tightly in heavy-duty foil and place over medium coals for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
Tip: If you like crispier potatoes, parboil them first. This is adapted from KOA’s recipe collection.
2. Campfire Nachos
We first tried these on a late summer trip in the Black Hills. Layer tortilla chips, canned black beans, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and jalapeños in a foil tray. Cover with foil and cook over indirect heat or a grill grate for 10–15 minutes until melty. Top with sour cream and avocado.
Gear: Bring a reusable foil pan and long tongs. Great for groups!
3. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Packets
Perfect for coastal campsites or glamping meals, these shrimp packets are elegant yet easy. Toss raw shrimp with minced garlic, lemon slices, butter, parsley, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Divide between foil sheets and seal tightly. Cook for 8–10 minutes over medium coals until shrimp are pink and tender. Serve with rice or crusty bread.
🥘 Dutch Oven Camping Recipes
4. Dutch Oven Chili
This rich, smoky chili will warm you up on cold nights. Brown 1 lb ground beef or turkey in your Dutch oven. Add diced onion, garlic, one can of diced tomatoes, one can of kidney beans, one can of black beans, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Simmer over low coals for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally.
Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips. Follow USDA guidelines for safe outdoor cooking.
5. Cinnamon Roll Bake
This sweet breakfast smells so good it might wake the whole campground. Grease your Dutch oven, add canned cinnamon rolls in a spiral, and pour over 1/4 cup heavy cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cover and bake over medium coals with hot coals on top of the lid. Rotate every 10 minutes. Done in 30–35 minutes.
6. Cowboy Breakfast Casserole
This protein-packed breakfast casserole is a full meal in one pot. Brown sausage, then layer frozen hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and diced bell peppers. Cover and bake over hot coals for 30–40 minutes. Perfect before a long hike or day on the water.
🍳 Cast Iron & Skillet Camping Recipes
7. Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
We were shocked at how well this turns out. Use pre-made dough, press into your greased cast iron skillet, add sauce, mozzarella, and toppings. Cover with foil and cook over a grill grate or tripod. Rotate to avoid burning. Cook for 15–20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is crisp.
CleverHiker's gear guide is a great resource if you're investing in cast iron or camp stoves.
8. Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
Marinate bone-in thighs in BBQ sauce, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. Grill over medium-high heat, turning frequently and basting with more sauce. Cook until internal temp hits 165°F (~25 minutes). Charred edges = flavor.
9. Black Bean Quesadillas
Quick and filling. Spread mashed black beans on one tortilla, sprinkle cheese and green chiles, then top with another tortilla. Grill on each side until golden. Slice and dip into salsa or sour cream.
10. Campfire Burgers
Form patties at home with seasoning and freeze. Grill from frozen or fresh over flame, 4–5 minutes per side. Add cheese in the last minute. Toast buns over coals for bonus flavor.
🍫 Easy Campfire Desserts
11. S’mores Cones
A kid-favorite twist on s’mores. Fill waffle cones with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers. Wrap in foil and heat for 5–7 minutes over coals until gooey. Less mess, same flavor!
12. Apple Pie Packets
Core and slice apples, toss with cinnamon, sugar, and oats. Place in foil, add a pat of butter, and seal. Cook 15–20 minutes over coals. Tastes like a warm pie!
13. Campfire Banana Boats
Split a banana lengthwise, stuff with marshmallows and chocolate chips, wrap in foil, and grill for 8–10 minutes. A fun dessert for kids to make themselves.
14. Dutch Oven Berry Cobbler
Mix fresh berries with sugar and a squeeze of lemon. Top with biscuit mix and bake covered over medium heat for 30 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
15. Chocolate Skillet Brownies
Use a boxed brownie mix or your own. Mix in camp or prep at home. Bake over low heat for 25–30 minutes. Top with toasted marshmallows or nuts if desired.
🧁 Bonus Camping Food Ideas
16. Walking Tacos
Kids love these. Take a small bag of Fritos or Doritos, open the top, and layer in taco meat, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and salsa. Eat with a fork—no dishes!
17. Breakfast Burrito Wraps
Pre-scramble eggs, bacon or sausage, cheese, and veggies. Wrap in a tortilla, then in foil. Warm over coals for 10 minutes. Great grab-and-go breakfast.
📌 Final Camp Cooking Tips
- Always cook meat to safe temps — see USDA’s guidelines.
- Pre-chop and portion ingredients at home.
- Use heavy-duty foil and fire-safe gloves.
- Store cold items in a cooler with ice blocks.
📌 Love these recipes? Save this to your Camping board on Pinterest!
