How Many of These Camping Food Favorites Have You Tried

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Food and campfires tend to bring people from different walks of life together. We love to see the various camping food favorites people enjoy while in the great outdoors.

We’ve compiled some of our favorites if you want some great camping food options for your upcoming trips. Practically anyone can enjoy these easy camping meals.

Let’s get cooking!

There’s Something Special About Camping Food

One great thing about camping is that it allows you to make those meals you reserved for camping. Some adults would balk at eating a hotdog, except at a sporting event or while outdoors.

Cooking over a campfire just seems to make food taste better. Some of the most significant camping memories you’ll make with loved ones revolve around the foods you eat while camping.

Whether it’s the food itself or the conversations while eating, food plays a vital role in your experiences. 

Pro Tip: If you’re having a hard time starting your campfire, make sure to check out the 5 Campfire Starter Kits That Actually Work.

Camping breakfast foods gathered together.

Camp Food Classics You Have to Try at Least Once

Some classic camping foods have found a way to transcend generations. When you make these foods, you can count on lots of smiles and not having leftovers.

Want to please the taste buds on your next camping trip? Try some of these camp food classics.

1. Pie Iron Pizza

Rome Industries Pie Iron Sandwich Cooker
  • The Original Pie Iron Since 1964
  • Heavy Duty Square Cast Iron Design

If you think grilled cheese is delicious, you may love Pie Iron Pizza. If you don’t have a set, add Pie Irons to your shopping cart before your next trip.

Get the pie irons nice and hot while putting together your pizza. Cut your dough into squares slightly larger than your irons. You’ll need an even amount as they’ll form the top and bottoms of the pizza.

You can then start adding any toppings to your dough, like sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and other ingredients you think make the perfect pizza.

Once finished, combine two pieces of the pizza crust on top of one another to make a pocket. Add butter or spray the inside of the Pie Irons before carefully placing your pizza inside.

By this time, the pie irons should be hot and sizzle when you put the pizza crusts inside of them. Let them cook over the fire for a few minutes, and then flip them onto a wood cutting board.

Let them cool for a few minutes, and then you can dig in!

2. Classic S’mores

Are you even camping if you don’t have s’mores? All you need is marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate.

While you may feel tempted to buy the knock-off brands of any of these products, we strongly suggest you spend the extra few bucks and get the name brand. While you can make s’mores from generic items, they don’t taste quite as good.

You’ll also want to make sure you have some reliable roasting sticks. The last thing you want is one too heavy for the kids to hold up or too flimsy that your marshmallow drops in the fire!

Additionally, don’t hesitate to step up your flavors. Enjoy a classic s’more first, and then use a different type of candy when you go for seconds. Try Reeses Cups, Snickers, or Oreos in place of graham crackers. S’moreos make an exciting spin on the traditional camping treat!

Pro Tip: Impress your camping buddies by learning How to Roast the Most Perfect Marshmallow in the World!

Close up of one of the most popular camping foods, smores.

3. Campfire Foil Packets

Kingsford Heavy Duty Aluminum Disposable Grill Bags - Recyclable Foil Cooking Bags Can Turn Into Smoker Packet, Outdoor BBQ and Grilling Accessories, 15.5" x 10", 4 Count
  • COOK, STEAM, OR SMOKE — Kingsford high-quality grill aluminum bags can be used for cooking, steaming, & smoking foods...
  • EASY TO USE — Kingsford cooking bags are simple to use. Arrange the food, fold the bag, and place it on the grill or...

Campfire foil packets are one of the most versatile camping food options. You can throw just about any type of meat and vegetables into these packets and cook them over the coals.

This makes it easy to fix food so that everyone is a happy camper at dinner.

Add the meat and vegetables of your choice, and sprinkle some ranch dressing and a drizzle of oil. Add a thyme sprig and pull two sides of the packets together to fold them down.

Then place them in the fire for 8 to 10 minutes. Be sure to use a set of tongs to remove them; carefully open the packages to make sure everything is cooked through. Everyone can dig in and enjoy their delicious custom-made meal.

4. Dutch Oven Apple Pie

Lodge L8DOL3 Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Dual Handles, Pre-Seasoned, 5-Quart
  • 5 Quart Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven. A classic cooker that doesn't quit, the Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a classic...
  • SEASONED COOKWARE. A good seasoning makes all the difference. Lodge seasons its cookware with 100% vegetable oil; no...

If you’ve never tasted the deliciousness of dutch oven apple pie, you’re missing out. First, peel, core, and slice your apples. You can then line your dutch oven with foil and cover its bottom with a pie crust.

Toss in your apples while you use a saucepan to melt butter. Sprinkle a bit of flour into the melted butter and whisk until you create a paste. Then add sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and salt and boil the concoction for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. 

When complete, pour this mixture over the apples and create a lattice top to cover your creation. Alternatively, you can create a crumb topping (our personal favorite).

Cover the dutch oven and allow it to cook for approximately an hour. Be extra careful removing it from the campfire and serve with vanilla bean ice cream!

Pro Tip: If you love cooking with your cast iron cookware, then you have to check out 15 of the Best Cast Iron Camping Recipes!

An apple pie in a cast iron pan

5. Franks and Beans

One of the simplest camping foods is franks and beans. All you need is a can of baked beans and a package of hot dogs for this classic.

Dump the can of beans into a pan and cut the hot dogs into chunks to add to it. Set the pan over top of the fire to heat the mixture.

Once the beans have cooked, you can remove them from the fire and allow them to cool. This simple dinner uses hardly any dishes.

Some add a few extra ingredients to spice up their franks and beans. People have used ketchup, barbeque sauce, brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and pepper to enhance the flavors.

What’s great about this recipe is that you can use what you have on hand!

Frank and beans in a cast iron pan, one of our camping food favorites.

6. Campfire Popcorn

Orville Redenbacher's Original Gourmet Yellow Popcorn Kernels, 5 Pound, 12 Ounce
  • Contains (1) 5 lb., 12 oz. container of Orville Redenbacher’s Original Yellow Gourmet Unpopped Popcorn Kernels
  • Use these gourmet Orville Redenbacher’s popping kernels with butter-flavored popcorn oil to make popcorn with your hot...

If you have a microwave, you can bring microwave popcorn packets. However, that’s not nearly as fun as making campfire popcorn.

Toss some popcorn kernels and vegetable oil into a pan. Cover it and place it over the fire, then listen for the popcorn to start popping. 

Use some tongs or gloves to shake the pan until the popping stops. You can then add garlic powder, salt, and any other toppings. You’ll typically need a quarter-cup of kernels and one tablespoon of oil to make four servings.

7. Grilled Fruit Skewers

Grab some kabob skewers and your favorite fruits for our next camping food treat. You can dice up bananas and strawberries and use pineapple and cantaloupe chunks.

Place whatever chunks or pieces of fruit you want onto your skewer and drizzle with olive oil and maple syrup. You can then place them over the fire for 7 to 10 minutes and serve with yogurt dipping sauce.

Pro Tip: You’ll need a reliable refrigerator to keep your RV cold. Check out the best RV refrigerator fans to ensure your food stays cold

8. Classic Pancakes and Eggs

Pancakes and eggs are typically a winning combination for breakfast, whether camping or at home. Use your favorite pancake recipe, and make sure you bring any toppings that you enjoy. 

You can cook up scrambled eggs, or if you have time, make some based on your loved one’s preferences.

As long as you don’t burn it, it’s nearly impossible to mess up this meal if you regularly cook these at home.

Close up of blueberry pancakes, a staple camping food.

9. Homemade Beef Jerky

It may not be dinner, but you can make a delicious snack to enjoy throughout your trip. Cut up your favorite meat into thin slices and allow it to soak in your favorite marinade. Drape the strips over your fire so it’s high enough to cook without burning. 

You’ll need to let it cook for several hours, so keep your fire going. Once your meat reaches your preferred dryness, you can take it off and let it cool.

10. Sloppy Joes

Cooking Sloppy Joes in a dutch oven is super easy. You need to cook some beef, onion, celery, and green peppers until brown and you have tender vegetables.

Drain the grease from the meat and mix in crushed tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, white vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, garlic salt, ground mustard, and paprika.

Allow the mixture to simmer for 30 to 45 minutes with an occasional stirring. You can then add about half a cup of the meat mixture onto a bun and serve.

Have a handful of napkins ready because it can get sloppy!

A sloppy joe sitting on a paper plate with an American flag toothpick through it.

Chow Down on Your Next Camping Trip

We love the conversations and food that we have around a good campfire. It can be a great way to bond with your loved ones and get to know your fellow campers.

The more you can camp while cooking, the more you can improve your skills and try new things. You never know which camping food will become one everyone requests for your next trip.

What’s the most requested camping food for your crew while camping?

Last update on 2024-12-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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