Enough with the hot dogs: 5 ridiculously easy campfire recipes

5 ingredients. 1 pan. 1 campfire.

No more of those “easy camping recipes” that have you prepping in the kitchen for hours. Let’s do the math. Less prep + less mess = more relaxing + more enjoying.

Side note: these recipes are easiest for car campers. But they can totally be adapted for backpacking with the right lightweight cookware and freeze-dried food swaps.

Scrambled Eggs & Camp-fired Toast

This isn’t your typical throw-some-eggs-in-a-pan-and-bread-in-the-toaster meal. These are puffy clouds of flavorful eggs to warm you up on those chilly outdoor mornings.

— Eggs

— Butter

— Water

— Bread

— Seasoning (optional)

For each egg, add 1 tablespoon of water and 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the eggs, water, and butter to a pot. You heard me. A pot, not a pan. Mix it all up and place on the cooking grate or hot coals. Stick to intervals of about 30 seconds over the fire, 15 seconds off. Repeat until your eggs seem almost fully cooked. Set the pan beside the fire so the residual heat cooks them the rest of the way while you make your toast.

Place your bread slices over the cooking grate or on the preheated rocks around the fire. Shoot, you could even shish kabob them if you want. When your desired level of toastiness is reached, pull ’em from the heat and butter ’em up.

Enjoy your perfect scrambled eggs and camp-fired toast as is, or add some salt and pepper or everything bagel seasoning.

Classic Spaghetti and Marinara

There’s nothing like enjoying a classic comfort food under the stars. The best part of this recipe? No refrigeration required.

— Spaghetti

— Marinara

— Parmesan cheese

— Bread

— Butter

Bring marinara to a simmer. Break the spaghetti noodles in half and add to the sauce. Breaking them makes sure the noodles are well-covered by the sauce and cook evenly. Simmer until al dente. Toss some parmesan cheese on top, kick back, and enjoy your effortless warm meal.

Bonus: whip up some camp-fired toast to soak up all that marinara goodness.

Cast Iron Brats, Peppers, & Onions

Level up the traditional hot dog menu with juicy brats seared in a cast iron. Switch out the bell peppers for Anaheim or jalapeños for some extra kick.

— Olive oil

— Bratwurst

— Buns

— Bell peppers

— Onions

Preheat a cast-iron skillet on your campfire grate or coals. Add olive oil and thinly sliced peppers and onions. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened and add the brats, making sure they’re in contact with the skillet. Cook for 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally.

While the brats are cooking, lay the buns over the cooking grate or on the preheated rocks around the fire. When your desired level of toastiness is reached, divide the brats and veggies amongst the buns. Top with mustard, ketchup, or whatever you like.

Bonus: Save any leftover peppers and onions to throw in your breakfast scramble the next day!

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese

All the best parts of a pepperoni pizza. None of the effort.

— Bread (English muffins are an awesome choice)

— Butter

— Marinara

— Mozzarella cheese (shredded)

— Pepperoni

Add butter to your cast-iron pan and grill the bread slices. Spread marinara on the inside of both bread slices. Add as much shredded mozzarella and pepperoni as you want. No judgment. Close up the sandwich and flip as needed until desired toastiness is reached.

Hate doing dishes? Wrap individual sandwiches up in foil packets and grill over the fire or amongst coals. Be mindful to use tongs or thick work gloves to remove your foil packets safely from the heat, as they’ll be extremely hot to the touch.

Fried Rice

Quick, easy to make, and customizable with any of your favorite mix-ins.

— Instant Rice

— Water

— Veggies (fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried)

— Eggs

— Soy sauce

Fry vegetables until nearly cooked. Add rice and water and cook according to package instructions. Add soy sauce to taste and mix. Crack eggs over the rice mixture and let cook for 2–3 minutes. Slowly mix the eggs into the rice and allow them to cook for about 5 minutes.

There you have it. Five easy campfire recipes with minimal prep and clean-up.

Try these out, add your own twists, and share some good food with some good company.