Campfire Cooking: Easy Recipes, Cooking Techniques & Tips

There are so many methods to make awesome camping food. When you want to add the most excitement to meal creation, you have to choose campfire cooking! Not only do you end up with yummy culinary creations, you get to build, maintain and relax near a crackling fire with mesmerizing dancing flames too.

Cooking With Campfires Like A Pro by CampingForFoodies is a cast iron camp Dutch oven sitting in a camp fire ring and is filled with Italian Chicken Cacciatore in a red sauce with bright green and red bell peppers, beside the oven is a loaf of garlic bread that is wrapped in foil and cooking directly on the coals of a campfire, the entire meal is ready to be served at the campsite with text over the image reading campfire cooking.

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

In This Post:

Our Most Popular Campfire Recipes

We have tons of campfire recipes to inspire you to make awesome campfire meals. Here are some of our most popular ideas.

1. Campfire Corn On The Cob

Campfire Corn On The Cob by CampingForFoodies features three ears of charred sweet corn on the cob with slightly charred husks pulled away from the cobs and stacked on a white plate. Basil butter is melting over the hot corn set outside on a sunny day with a dense green forest in the background.

Nothing is better than campfire grilled corn on the cob in the summer! It is easy, fun and delicious! You cook it in the husk on a campfire grill grate directly over the coals in your fire pit.

2. Pie Iron French Toast

Pie Iron French Toast Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a blue camping plate filled with thick Texas-style French toast topped with melted butter, maple syrup and red raspberries with a campfire pie iron and flames in the campfire ring in the background.

Dip you bread into a simple egg mixture and cook it in your pie iron over hot campfire coals. This breakfast is a real crowd pleaser.

3. Campfire Stew

Campfire Stew Dutch Oven Camping Recipe by CampingForFoodies

After beef chuck roast simmers over low heat you can cut it with a butter knife. We use bacon, vegetables including potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and, dried herbs like rosemary, parsley, thyme to create amazing flavor in this fork-tender stew.

4. Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese

Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese by CampingForFoodies features golden brown crispy bacon wrapped around a grilled cheese sandwich that is set on a blue camping plate. A fork and knife are being used to slice the sandwich as golden yellow cheddar cheese oozes from the center of the sandwich onto the plate.

You can make this sandwich using a cast iron skillet or griddle. Watch our VIDEO to see how easy it is to create this indulgent meal.

5. Campfire Chili

Campfire Chili by CampingForFoodies features a bowl of chili topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced onions and jalapeno peppers with a spoon and slice of crusty bread ready to be served at the campsite.

This is one of my favorite camping dinner recipes. Meat, beans and spices simmer over hot coals to create this award-winning chili. It goes really well when paired with our Dutch Oven Cornbread.

6. Chicken Souvlaki Pitas

Chicken Souvlaki Pita Recipe by CampingForFoodies features two pita bread pockets filled with grilled chicken, creamy white Tzatziki sauce, bright red diced tomatoes, purple onions, ribbons of green leaf lettuce, sliced Kalamata olives and white crumbled feta cheese. The sandwich is on a plate with lush green plants in the background on a sunny day.

After marinating chicken pieces you can thread them onto skewers or just grill them over grates to make these Mediterranean chicken gyro sandwiches.

7. Make Ahead Thai Campfire Chicken

Make-Ahead Dutch Oven Thai Campfire Chicken Recipe by CampingForFoodies

If you want to just “dump & cook” at the campsite, try some of our delicious make ahead camping meals. You prep these freezer meals at home, then, defrost and cook at camp.

8. Grilled Flat Iron Camping Steak

Grilled Flat Iron Camping Steak Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a camping steak dinner ready to be served on a blue camping plate at the campsite, the grilled flat iron steak is sliced with a side of veggies including potatoes, carrots, broccoli and tomatoes with text over the image that reads flat iron steak.

This flat iron steak is made really tender with a simple homemade marinade made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, salt and cayenne pepper. The nice thing about camping grill recipes is that they easily transition to a propane grill if you need to change your menu because of open flame restrictions when camping with camp fire bans.

9. Camping Nachos

Camping Nachos Dutch Oven Camping Recipe by CampingForFoodies is an image of campfire nachos cast iron Dutch oven pot with loaded nachos topped with melted cheese, fire roasted tomatoes, sour cream, black olives and cilantro. The Dutch oven is set on the stump of a log at a campsite on a bright sunny day.

Try these loaded meatless nachos if you want to enjoy one of the best camping snacks!

10. 4 Ingredient Banana Pancakes

4 Ingredient Banana Pancakes by CampingForFoodies features golden brown pancakes topped with banana slices, nuts and chocolate chips on a blue camping plate.

These simple pancakes are almost as easy as opening a bag of trail mix for breakfast. From start to finish, they’ll be on your table in 15 minutes, so, you can just leave the trail mix for your hike! Check out all of our delicious and easy camping breakfast ideas.

11. Campfire Donuts

Powdered Sugar & Cinnamon Sugar Campfire Donuts And Doughnut Holes by CampingForFoodies features freshly fried camping donuts and small round donut holes on a blue camping plate. Some are covered in cinnamon sugar and others are covered in white powdered sugar. A big tree and blue sky are in the background of this campsite.

Refrigerator biscuit dough is the secret to making these amazingly tasty fresh donuts in just minutes.

12. Rich & Creamy Campfire Hot Cocoa

Campfire Hot Cocoa - Camping For Foodies .com

Ditch the pre-made powder if you want a special treat! Cool weather camping experiences don’t feel complete without a warm cup of hot chocolate and this one is velvety smooth.

Send me FREE camping tips!

I want "5 Secrets To Successful Camping Trips" plus weekly camping tips & recipes.

Foil Packet Meals

Aluminum foil can be your best friend in the great outdoors when you want terrific meals without a pile of dirty dishes to wash. One of the most popular methods of camp fire cooking is using foil packets. The cleanup is almost non-existent too! Try all of our campfire meals in foil, here are a few of our favorites.

13. Cajun Chicken Foil Packets

Cajun Chicken Foil Packets by CampingForFoodies features a silver-colored piece of tinfoil used as a bowl to hold a serving of Cajun chicken. The pieces of white cauliflower, green broccoli, red bell pepper and white onion slices compliment the chicken and andouille sausage pieces. A serving of white rice is behind the food and the foil packet is set on a blue camping plate with green shrubbery in the background.

This is one of our flavor-packed keto camping food ideas that features chicken, sausage and low-carb veggies.

14. Campfire Hobo Stew Recipe In Foil Packets

Hobo Stew Recipe For A Campfire That Cooks In Foil Packets - Camping For Foodies .com

Making individual packs of stew means each camper can use ingredients they like and avoid those they don’t.

15. Shrimp And Asparagus Foil Packs

Shrimp And Asparagus Foil Packs by CampingForFoodies features a piece of shiny aluminum foil set on a table outside on a sunny day. The foil pack holds 6 cooked jumbo shrimp set on a stack of bright green asparagus and topped with chopped fresh parsley, on the side is fluffy white rice and two lemon wedges.

This is a sort-of fancy meal made with simple ingredients. Shrimp and asparagus are flavored with a little white wine (or chicken broth), Cajun seasoning, garlic, butter, salt and black pepper to create a delicious 20-minute meal.

16. Campfire Chili Cheese Fries

Campfire Chili Cheese Fries by CampingForFoodies features a shiny silver colored piece of tin foil sitting on a campfire grate with orange glowing coals in the background. The crinkle cut French fries are topped with steaming hot chili, melted cheddar cheese, creamy white drizzles of sour cream and sliced green onions and jalapeno peppers.

Frozen fries never tasted so good! And, you won’t believe how easy it is to make them!

Dutch Oven Recipes

Dutch Oven Camping Recipes: Looking for easy and tasty Dutch oven recipes? We’ve got loads of them!

17. Dutch Oven French Toast

Camping Dutch Oven Cinnamon Campfire French Toast With Powdered Sugar Glaze by CampingForFoodies

You don’t have to make individual slices of French toast if you make this casserole version.

18. Mac And Cheese

Dutch Oven Mac And Cheese Camping Recipe by CampingForFoodies features a black cast iron camp Dutch oven pot sitting on the ground and filled with creamy macaroni and cheese topped with a golden brown crumb topping ready to be served at the campsite.

This ooey, gooey, cheesy hot dish is great when served with a simple grilled meat.

19. Dutch Oven Campfire Goulash

Dutch Oven Goulash by CampingForFoodies features a cast iron camp oven filled with goulash made with macaroni, meat, tomatoes and sprinkled with parmesan cheese. The pot is set on a grate in a campfire ring.

Try this goulash if you want yummy comfort food. If you like campfire cooking in the summer, you’ll LOVE winter campfire cooking! You stay warm and cook your meals all at the same time. Check out our favorite winter camping recipes for your next cold-weather menu plan.

20. One Pot Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Chicken One Pot Camping Pasta by CampingForFoodies features a black cast iron Dutch oven filled with chicken and pasta tossed in a creamy Cajun sauce. The pot is set on the ground next to a Dutch oven lid lifter, the lid is resting against a tree in the background.

This easy meal starts with pre-cooked chicken and combines it with pasta, fire roasted tomatoes and cream cheese that is all cooked together. Check out all of our awesome one pot camping meals.

Camping Desserts

Your outdoor vacation won’t be complete unless you indulge in a few yummy camping desserts.

21. Campfire Smores Recipes

10 Campfire S'mores Recipes S'more Variations That Will Make Your Mouth Water - Camping For Foodies .com

You can’t cook over a campfire without having s’mores for dessert at least once during your trip! You can certainly enjoy the traditional toasted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham crackers with a chocolate bar. But, why not get creative with ingredients like caramel sauce, berries, white chocolate coconut candy bars, fruit and different types of cookies? We’ve put a twist on these classic sweet treats that kids and adults will love!

22. Camping Smores Dutch Oven Brownies

Dutch Oven Brownies by CampingForFoodies features a parchment-paper lined black cast iron camp Dutch oven filled with baked brownies, topped with golden-brown puffed mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces.

Try a new spin on a classic campfire dessert with these s’mores brownies!

23. Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This is a photo of a Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside Down Cake Camping Recipe by CampingForFoodies. The moist cake is covered with gooey pineapples dotted with cherries sitting on a table in the mountains at a remote camping site.

This is always our choice for our family summer birthday camping trip!

24. Blueberry Cobbler

Campfire Dutch Oven Blueberry Cobbler by CampingForFoodies features a blue camping bowl with a serving of blueberry cobbler and vanilla ice cream set on a large rock under a tree. A black cast iron camp Dutch oven containing the rest of the baked cobbler is set behind the bowl that is ready to be served.

When blueberries are in season, THIS is the dessert you need to make!

25. Chocolate Lava Dutch Oven Cakes

Dutch Oven Chocolate Lava Cakes by CampingForFoodies features a black cast iron camp oven filled with freshly baked individual servings of mini chocolate cakes in foil cupcake wrappers. The pot is set on the ground next to a rock and piece of firewood.

These little individual cakes are baked in cupcake liners. That keeps them moist and easy to serve.

Campfire Cooking Techniques

We love cooking over campfires so much, we have tons of resources to help you master the art of cooking over a fire.

Dutch Oven Temperature Chart: Knowing how many coals to use and where to place them is super important, especially if you are baking things like … Mountain Man Breakfasts, Dutch Oven Pizzas, breads, cakes and pies!

Dutch Oven Camp Cooking Tips: You can test your knowledge in this post with questions like:

How much heat comes from a coal?
Do ashes add or reduce heat?
Where should you place coals?
What size Dutch oven should you use?
Should you use a standard depth or deep Dutch oven?
What type of wood is best for campfire cooking?

Campfire Cooking Tips: Learn the best campfire cooking techniques including:

Efficient campfire cooking setups
Getting maximum flavor from your food
Open campfire heat control
How to cook in windy conditions and more

Campfire Cooking Equipment: When you have the right campfire cooking gear, you instantly become a wilderness chef! See our top picks for:

Over fire grills
Griddles, Dutch ovens and pans
Dutch oven accessories
Cooking on sticks and more

How To Start A Campfire: You can’t cook over a campfire unless you know how to start one! Learn the most efficient way to start a fire for:

Cooking
Warmth
Relaxation
Rescue

Best Fire Starters: These tips will help you start your campfire even in the roughest weather conditions.

How Much Firewood Do I Need For Camping: Do you know how much wood you’ll need for your entire trip? Consider these factors:

Length of trip
Weather
Type of fire (including fires for cooking)
Size of pieces
Firewood type
Camping wood’s moisture content

Best Dutch Oven For Camping: Most campers who cook over campfires like the durability of cast iron Dutch ovens. We have tips to help you choose the best Dutch oven for your type of camping and cooking!

How To Use A Dutch Oven: Cast iron Dutch ovens are the cooking vessel of choice for many campfire chefs. Learn how to use them like the pros do! Learn about:

Regular vs deep Dutch ovens
Different types of cooking methods
- Baking
- Roasting
- Simmering & Stewing
- Frying & Boiling
Cooking utensils
Cast iron cookware care

Dutch Oven Accessories: Add a few essential Dutch oven accessories to your camp kitchen gear for simple and efficient:

Transportation
Storage
Cooking
Cleaning

Lodge Dutch Oven Accessories: Lodge is a favorite brand when it comes to campfire cooking. They have a great line of accessories that make cooking and cleanup simple.

Camping Food Storage Ideas & Handling Tips: You want to start and finish your campfire meal with smiles on faces! Keep your camping clan healthy with proper food handling techniques.

FREE Printable Menu Planner

Meal Planning

Use my camping menu planner to stay organized when planning meals for your next trip. It’s FREE and you’ll get it delivered instantly to your inbox!

Camping Menu Template Meal Planner Free Printable by CampingForFoodies features a collage of free camping printables including a camping menu planner template, a campfire stew recipe card and a healthy no cook camping salad with text over the image that reads free camping menu template, tips and recipe ideas.

What do you think?

Leave me a comment, question or suggestion below. I’d love to hear from you so let’s chat.

2 Comments

Bryan Sullivan says:

at

this is such a great combination of types of camp cooking that all look soooo delicious!

1. Kim Hanna says:
  
  at
  
  Hi Bryan, Thanks for the note, that is so nice to hear. Happy Camping, Kim