24 Recipes You Can Cook on a Campfire

What would you name a food you can cook on a campfire?

Cooking over a fire has been around since prehistoric times. The earliest evidence of cooking was found at archaeological sites dating back to 8000 BC. Fire is essential for cooking, and it also provides heat, light, and protection from predators.

Cooking over a campfire isn’t only fun, it’s also good for you. There are several health benefits associated with cooking over a fire. For example, cooking over a fire helps reduce heart disease risk, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, improves digestion, and boosts immunity.

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature and unwind. So what’s a better way to have a tasty meal while on your next family camping excursion than cooking it over the campfire? You can cook on any type of campfire including a traditional open fire, but many people opt for a gas or electric grill with piezo ignitor. Here are some great foods you can cook over a campfire.

The 24 Recipes You Can Cook on a Campfire

1. Grilled Shrimp

Grilling shrimp over a campfire is one of the easiest ways to prepare them. To do this, first soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using. Then thread the shrimp onto the skewers.

Next, place the skewers on top of the coals or embers of your campfire. Grill the shrimp until they turn pink. This will take about 5-7 minutes per side.

Note: Before you head out on your next camping trip, make sure you have the right tools for campfire cooking.

2. Smoked Salmon

Smoking salmon over a campfire is another easy way to enjoy smoked fish. First, cut the salmon into pieces that fit on the grill grate.

Then, cover the salmon with aluminum foil and place it directly over the coals or ember of your campfire. Smoke the salmon for 10-15 minutes. Remove the salmon from the grill when it turns opaque white.

3. S’mores

S’mores are an American classic. They’re made by combining graham cracker crumbs, chocolate bars, marshmallows, and butter. If you don’t have access to a campfire, you can make s’mores in the oven. Simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Then, spread out the graham cracker crumb mixture evenly across a cookie sheet. Place the chocolate bar pieces on top of the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle the marshmallows on top of the chocolate. Finally, melt the butter in the microwave or stovetop.

Drizzle the melted butter over the marshmallows and chocolate. Bake the s’more for 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely before enjoying.

4. Grilled Hot Pastrami Sandwich

Pastrami sandwiches are delicious grilled hot pastrami sandwiches. To make these, start by spreading mustard on both sides of bread slices. Top each slice of bread with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. Spread mayonnaise on the inside of the bread.

Then, lay the meat between two slices of bread. Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the wrapped sandwich to the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes. Flip the sandwich and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Serve immediately.

5. Bacon Wrapped Dates

Bacon wrapped dates are a tasty snack. To make these, first chop bacon into small pieces. Then, wrap each piece of bacon around a date. Secure the bacon with toothpicks. Arrange the wrapped dates on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Toast the dates in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

6. Campfire Pizza Cone

Campfire pizza cones are a fun camping food idea. To make these, use a fork to poke holes in a corn tortilla. Fill the tortilla with cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and other toppings. Fold the tortilla in half and secure it with a toothpick.

Repeat steps 1-4 to create additional pizza cones. Lightly grease the outside of a metal bowl. Put the pizza cones in the greased bowl. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil. Poke several holes in the foil so steam can escape. Set the bowl near the fire and let the pizza cones bake for 4-8 minutes. Remove the bowl from the fire and serve warm.

7. Fire Roasted Potatoes

Fire roasted potatoes are a great camping food idea. To roast potatoes, simply wash them well. Pat dry with paper towels. Cut the potatoes into wedges. Toss the potato wedges with olive oil and salt.

Then, arrange the wedges on a roasting rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the center of a campfire. The potatoes should be about 5 inches above the coals. Grill the potatoes until they begin to char, about 10-15 minutes. Turn the potatoes occasionally. When the potatoes are charred on all sides, remove the baking sheet from the fire. Let the potatoes rest for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy!

8. Campfire Stew

Campfire stew is another favorite camping food idea. To prepare this dish, combine water, beef broth, carrots, celery, and bay leaves in a pot. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low.

Simmer the soup for 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans, and pasta. Continue simmering for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley or cilantro.

9. Barbecue Beans

Barbecue beans are an easy camping food idea that’s perfect for tailgating parties. To make barbecue beans, soak dried navy beans overnight. Drain and rinse the beans. Combine the beans with vegetable oil, garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Mix well.

Place the mixture in a slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook the beans on low for 8 hours. Mash the beans using a potato masher. Serve the mashed beans as a dip or spread.

10. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic camping food idea. To grill cheese sandwiches, cut bread into four equal parts. Spread butter on one side of each piece of bread. Layer cheese on top of the buttered side of two pieces of bread.

Top the cheese layer with the remaining bread slices. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwich to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Slice the grilled cheese sandwiches diagonally and serve immediately.

11. Chorizo Zucchini Chili

Chorizo zucchini chili is a hearty camping food idea. To cook chorizo, place diced chorizo sausage in a large skillet. Sauté the chorizo over medium heat until cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile, dice zucchini. Add the zucchini to the chorizo and continue cooking for 3 more minutes.

In a small saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil. Pour the boiling stock over the chorizo and zucchini. Allow the mixture to sit for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture into a bowl. Discard the solids. Return the strained liquid to the same skillet. Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Whisk together.

Bring the chili to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low. Simmer the chili for 25 minutes. Remove the chili from the heat. Stir in sour cream. Serve the chili warm.

12. Campfire Nachos

Nachos are a fun camping food idea. To make nachos, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tortilla chips on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the chips.

Bake the chips for 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese begins to melt. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Top the chips with salsa, guacamole, and black olives. Bake the chips for 5 more minutes. Let cool completely before serving.

13. Spaghetti Squash Casserole

Spaghetti squash is a delicious camping food idea. To bake spaghetti squash, microwave it according to package directions. Cut the squash lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard them. Use a fork to scrape the flesh of the squash into strands. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Spoon half of the spaghetti squash onto the bottom of the baking dish. Top the squash with 1/2 cup of marinara sauce. Repeat layering process with the rest of the ingredients. Bake the casserole for 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

14. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Bacon wrapped chicken tenders are a tasty camping food idea. To prepare bacon wrapped chicken tenders, wrap strips of bacon around chicken tenderloins. Secure the bacon by folding the ends under. Grill the chicken tenders over medium-high heat for 10 minutes per side, or just until done. Serve the chicken tenders with ranch dressing.

15. Smoky Pulled Pork Tacos

Smoky pulled pork tacos are a great camping food idea. To smoke the pork, combine pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and bay leaves in a crock pot. Cover the crock pot and set it to low. Smoke the pork for 8 hours. Shred the pork using two forks. Combine the pork, tomatoes, green onions, jalapenos, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and cilantro in a bowl.

Season the mixture with salt and pepper. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Place the corn tortillas in the hot oil. Fry the tortillas until golden brown. Drain the tortillas on paper towels. Fill each tortilla with equal amounts of the pork mixture. Fold the sides of the tortilla up over the filling. Roll the taco closed. Serve the tacos immediately.

16. Campfire Brownies

Campfire brownies are an easy camping food idea. To create campfire brownies, mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl. Spread the batter evenly across a greased cookie sheet. Bake the brownie batter at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges begin to pull away from the pan. Cool the brownies completely before cutting.

17. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic camping food idea. To grill the sandwich, place bread slices between two pieces of aluminum foil. Layer the bread with cheese, ham, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise. Wrap the sandwiches tightly in the foil. Grill the sandwiches over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side, or until the cheese melts. Remove the sandwiches from the grill. Unwrap the sandwiches and cut them in half diagonally. Serve the grilled cheese sandwiches immediately.

18. Campfire Cherry Pie

Cherry pie is one of the best camping foods. To make cherry pie, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves in a large bowl. Stir well. Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9×9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top of the pie with graham cracker crumbs. Bake the pie at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Allow the pie to cool completely before serving.

19. Camping Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast burritos are a fun camping food idea. To make breakfast burritos, spread cream cheese on both halves of a whole wheat tortilla. Layer the tortilla with scrambled egg whites, sausage, hashbrowns, and cheese. Fold the bottom third of the tortilla up and roll the tortilla closed.

Repeat this process with the remaining ingredients. Cut the burrito in half crosswise. Toast the burritos over medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side, or as desired. Serve the burritos immediately.

20. Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

To make campfire cinnamon rolls, combine milk, water, yeast, and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for 10 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted. Let the mixture cool slightly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat well. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the raisins and nuts. Grease a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the dough into the prepared baking dish. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm area for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake the rolls for 15 minutes. Turn the rolls out onto a cooling rack. Slather the tops of the rolls with icing.

21. Grilled Pepperoni Pizza Flatbread

Pepperoni pizza flatbread is another great camping food idea. To prepare pepperoni pizza flatbread, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place a pizza stone inside a rimmed baking sheet. Brush the pizza stone with oil. Lay the flatbread on the pizza stone.

Top the flatbread with shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, and marinara sauce. Bake the flatbread for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the crust is golden brown. Remove the flatbread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Cut the flatbread into wedges. Serve the flatbread immediately.

22. Campfire Corn Bread

Campfire corn bread is an easy camping food idea. Combine 2 cups yellow cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 cup buttermilk in a mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they form a thick batter. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat. When hot, pour about 1/3 cup vegetable oil into the pan. Swirl the pan around so that the oil coats the entire surface of the pan.

Using tongs, carefully place the cornbread into the pan. Cook the cornbread for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Flip the cornbread using tongs and cook the other side for 4-6 minutes more. Transfer the cornbread to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve the cornbread immediately.

23. Campfire Cheese Puffs

Campfire cheese puffs are another fun camping food idea. Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients together until they have formed a soft dough ball. Roll the dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Flatten each ball into a disk shape. Wrap each disk in aluminum foil.

Repeat this process until you have used up all of your dough. Place the wrapped disks on top of coals in a grill fire pit. Grill the disks for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the cheese is completely melted and the puff is golden brown. Serve the grilled cheese puffs immediately.

24. Foil Packet Chicken Dinner

Foil packet chicken dinner is one of my favorite camping foods because it’s easy to pack and can be cooked almost anywhere. To prepare foil packet chicken dinner, cut two sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil to fit inside a 12×18 inch rimmed baking sheet. Fold the foil pieces in half lengthwise. Spray both sides of the folded foil with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup of barbecue sauce evenly over the bottom half of the foil. Layer 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts on top of the barbecue sauce.

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Spoon 1/2 cup of salsa verde over the chicken. Top the chicken with 1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced onions, and 1/2 of a jalapeno pepper. Cover the vegetables with the remaining barbecue sauce. Fold the top half of the foil over the filling. Seal the foil package by folding the edges together tightly. Place the sealed package directly on the coals in a grill pit. Grill the foil packet chicken dinner for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Open the foil packet carefully and serve the chicken immediately.

Learn more: How to Make Coffee While Camping

Final words

Camping is a fun family activity. Whether you’re with your family or friends, food and drink are always a highlight of any camping trip. These 24 delicious and fun camping food ideas will become your go-to recipes when you go camping. I hope that this list of recipes gives you many new ways to enjoy some of your favorite foods while at the campsite.

If you’re looking for some great camping food ideas, I hope these recipes will help inspire you! If you like any of the recipes from today’s post, please share them with your friends and family. Enjoy cooking over campfire.

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