When you think of campfire food, hot dogs and marshmallows might come to mind. While there's nothing wrong with these campfire classics, why not elevate your outdoor dining experience with some creative and adventurous recipes? With a little planning and preparation, you can transform your culinary summer camp meals into gourmet experiences. Here’s how to spice up your camp cooking with some unique ideas that go beyond the basics.

1. Campfire Pizza

Who says you can’t enjoy pizza while camping? With a cast-iron skillet or a Dutch oven, you can make a delicious campfire pizza. Pre-make or bring pizza dough and layer it with your favorite toppings. Place the skillet or Dutch oven over the fire, cover with a lid, and let it cook until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. For added flavor, experiment with unconventional toppings like caramelized onions, goat cheese, or even smoked salmon.

Tip: For a crispier crust, preheat your skillet or camping oven over the fire before adding the dough.

2. Foil Packet Fajitas

Foil packet meals are a campfire staple, and fajitas make a great twist. Combine sliced bell peppers, onions, and pre-cooked chicken or beef with fajita seasoning. Seal the ingredients in a foil packet and cook over the campfire coals for about 20 minutes. The result? A flavorful, no-mess meal that’s ready to enjoy with tortillas, salsa, and guacamole.

Tip: Add some pre-cooked rice to the packet for a complete meal. For convenient packing all the essential look for our car camping kits!

3. Campfire Sushi

Impress your camping crew with campfire sushi rolls. While you can’t roll sushi directly over the fire, you can make sushi-inspired meals with ingredients like cooked chicken or tofu, avocado, and cucumber. Wrap these ingredients in a tortilla or flatbread with some soy sauce for a sushi-inspired wrap.

Tip: Bring a small bottle of soy sauce and some pickled ginger for an authentic touch.

4. Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Elevate the classic grilled cheese sandwich by using a mix of artisanal cheeses and adding gourmet ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, or caramelized onions. Cook your sandwiches in a cast-iron skillet or on a grate over the fire. For a crispy exterior and gooey interior, butter the bread generously and cook slowly.

Tip: Experiment with different bread types like ciabatta or sourdough for a unique twist. Elevate your cooking experience with our Universal Car Kitchen and Cargo Drawer.

5. Campfire Paella

Bring a taste of Spain to your campsite with a simple paella recipe. Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook rice with saffron, chicken, shrimp, and a mix of vegetables like peas and bell peppers. Allow the rice to crisp up a bit on the bottom for that traditional paella texture.

Tip: Prepare and pre-cook some of the ingredients at home to make cooking at the campsite quicker and easier.

6. Dessert Nachos

For a sweet twist on the classic nachos, make dessert nachos by layering cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips with toppings like melted chocolate, caramel sauce, and fresh fruit. Heat the tortilla chips over the campfire or in a skillet, then drizzle with your favorite sweet toppings for a fun and decadent treat.

Tip: Bring along a few extra napkins and camping cookware for this messy but delicious dessert.

7. Campfire Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a versatile and delicious option for camp cooking. Prepare the stuffing mixture at home—think rice, beans, cheese, and spices. At the campsite, fill the peppers with the mixture, wrap them in foil, and cook them over the coals for about 30 minutes. The result is a hearty and flavorful meal that’s easy to enjoy.

Tip: Use a variety of pepper colors for a more visually appealing dish.

These adventurous campfire recipes are sure to impress your fellow campers and transform your outdoor meals into memorable experiences. With a little creativity and preparation, you can go beyond the traditional hot dogs and marshmallows and enjoy gourmet flavors in the great outdoors.

Read more about camping meals in our blog.