27+ Camping Recipes To Fuel Your Adventure

Heading out for a camping trip is the perfect way to unwind, connect with nature and enjoy some quality time with friends and family. With the right camping recipes, you can turn a simple trip into a memorable outdoor experience.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of 28 recipes for you to enjoy. Whether you’re cooking over an open fire or using a portable stove, these easy dishes can make outdoor dining convenient and fun. 

Table of contents:

• Breakfast
• Entrées
• Snacks and side dishes
• Dessert

1. Veggie breakfast tacos

Category: Breakfast

These veggie breakfast tacos are a colorful, protein-packed way to start your day. Filled with fresh salsa, avocado and sautéed veggies, they’re perfect for camping because you can prep the ingredients in advance and cook quickly over a camp stove. 

2. Fluffy eggless pancakes

Category: Breakfast

These eggless pancakes are a fluffy, satisfying breakfast option that’s easy to make at camp. Prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately at home, then combine and cook on a camping stove or griddle. Top with fresh fruit or syrup for added flavor.

3. Gingerbread overnight oats with apples

Category: Breakfast

This hearty recipe is one of our favorite camping meals and perfect for breakfast meal prep. It combines the warm flavors of gingerbread with crunchy apples — perfect for a fall camping trip! You can assemble the oats in jars at home and add caramelized apples just before serving.

4. Chicken apple sausage with roasted vegetables

Category: Breakfast

A flavorful and filling gluten-free meal, these sausages paired with roasted peppers, zucchini and onions make a satisfying breakfast. For easy camping, cut and season the vegetables ahead of time, then toss with oil and roast on a camping stove or over the fire. You can even use pre-cooked sausage to save time.

5. Cheesy breakfast pizza with bacon

Category: Breakfast

Who says pizza is just for dinner? This breakfast pizza with crispy bacon, eggs, cheese and spinach can be baked on a cast iron skillet over the fire. Prepare toppings beforehand and assemble quickly for a hearty start to your day. Opt for pre-cooked bacon to simplify the process and reduce the mess.

6. Hamburger sliders with BBQ sauce

Category: Entrées

These flavorful mini sliders are another easy camping recipe. Juicy beef patties topped with smoky barbecue sauce and melty cheese make them crowd-pleasers around the campfire. To streamline cooking, buy pre-formed patties and assemble the sliders at home. Use a cooking time calculator to ensure proper grilling times for juicy results.

7. Chicken quesadillas

Category: Entrées

Chicken quesadillas are a delicious camping meal that’s quick to prepare. Filled with shredded chicken and cheese, they’re crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Use pre-cooked chicken and wrap ingredients in foil to make cleanup easier. For a veggie option, you can do veggie quesadillas and add black beans for protein.

8. Cast iron skillet pizza

Category: Entrées

This skillet pizza is a fun, customizable campfire favorite. Use pre-baked crust or pita bread for quick assembly. Check our pizza calculator to figure out how many pizzas you need to feed your group. To save time during your campfire dinner, layer toppings in advance.

9. Gourmet grilled cheese

Category: Entrées

A classic comfort food, gourmet grilled cheese will quickly become one of your go-to camping dinner ideas. Use hearty bread and rich cheese, adding extra ingredients like tomatoes or bacon to complement the caramelized onions. Assemble the sandwiches at home and use a camping stove or skillet to toast them to golden perfection.

10. Veggie-stuffed pita pockets

Category: Entrées

These veggie-stuffed pita pockets are fresh and easy to make. Fill pita bread with a medley of salad greens, sliced vegetables, hummus and sprouts for a light, nutritious meal. Prepare the veggie filling at home and keep it chilled. Stuff the pitas just before eating to keep them fresh.

11. Mini taco bowls

Category: Entrées

Mini taco bowls are a fun way to enjoy flavorful, layered bites while camping. Made with seasoned ground turkey, rice, beans and fresh toppings, they’re a perfect meal that’s easy to assemble at your campsite. Pre-cook the turkey and rice and pack in airtight containers. Use a camping stove to reheat the filling and assemble the bowls on-site.

12. Stuffed bell peppers

Category: Entrées

Stuffed bell peppers are a colorful campfire meal that’s simple to customize. Filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, beans and cheese, they’re easy to transport and cook. Prepare the filling at home, then stuff the bell peppers and wrap in foil for quick cooking over the fire or on a stove.

13. Beef walking tacos

Category: Entrées

Mouthwatering taco meat is packed into a bag of tortilla chips for one of the most popular campfire meals. This classic camping recipe is quick, satisfying and perfect for sharing around the campfire. Cook the seasoned ground beef and prepare mix-ins at home. Pack everything separately, then shake ingredients into the bag just before eating.

14. Ham and cheese Hawaiian roll Sliders

Category: Entrées

These sliders are a crowd-pleaser, combining sweet Hawaiian rolls with savory ham, cheese and a flavorful poppy seed glaze. Assemble the sliders at home, then refrigerate until ready to bake. When ready, heat them in a foil packet or on a camp stove. Remember to check the ham cooking time for perfect results.

15. Classic turkey sandwich

Category: Entrées

A classic turkey sandwich is one of the easy camping meals that’s perfect for a packed lunch or a quick bite. Layer sliced turkey, fresh tomatoes, crisp lettuce and your favorite condiments between bread for a satisfying, portable meal. Wrap in foil or parchment to keep everything fresh.

16. Grilled salmon foil packets

Category: Entrées

This dish features fish wrapped in foil with fresh vegetables and herbs, then grilled to perfection. It’s ideal for camping because you can cook it over the fire, and it requires minimal cleanup. Salmon is the best fish for baking, but you can choose other types or grill the fish you just caught!

17. Granola energy balls

Category: Snacks and side dishes

These make-ahead snacks are one of the most energizing camping recipes. They combine wholesome granola, nuts, seeds, honey and chocolate chips for a quick energy boost. You can mix the ingredients at home and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before rolling into balls. Use a melon baller or small scoop for uniform sizes and store in an airtight container. 

18. Seven-layer dip

Category: Snacks and side dishes

This classic make-ahead dip layers refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, lettuce and olives. It’s great for sharing around the campfire and requires no cooking. Prepare each layer separately and keep chilled. Add the lettuce and cheese just before serving to keep them fresh and crisp.

19. Loaded Mediterranean chickpea salad

Category: Snacks and side dishes

A fresh, no-cook side, this salad combines chickpeas, fresh veggies, olives, feta cheese and herbs, dressed with lemon and olive oil. It’s perfect for camping as it’s quick to assemble. Chop all veggies at home and store separately. Mix at the campsite for a healthy, flavorful addition to your camping menu.

20. Creamy cornmeal mush

Category: Snacks and side dishes

This comforting side dish is made from cornmeal, water and butter, cooked until thick and creamy. It’s easy to make over a camping stove and serves as a filling addition to any meal. You can also cook the mush at home, then transfer it to a heatproof container for easy reheating on-site. Stir well before serving and add extra butter or seasonings for flavor.

21. Easy hummus without tahini

Category: Snacks and side dishes

This simple, creamy hummus uses chickpeas, olive oil, lemon, garlic and cumin for a delicious camping food dip. It’s perfect for snacking with vegetables, pita triangles or chips. Make ahead in a food processor and store in an airtight container. For an extra smooth hummus, remove the chickpea skins before blending.

22. Marshmallow creme fudge

Category: Dessert

This no-bake fudge combines marshmallow creme, chocolate chips, sugar, butter and vanilla for a rich, sweet treat. It’s an easy late-night snack ideal for camping because you can make it ahead, and it requires no on-site preparation. 

23. Spiced apple pie packets

Category: Dessert

This spiced apple pie is one of our go-to camping food ideas that makes a warm, comforting dessert with minimal cleanup. While this recipe is for a full pie, you can easily adapt it into portable foil packets for camping. Use pre-sliced apples and mix with spices at home. Wrap in foil and cook directly over the campfire coals until tender.

24. Chocolate cake balls

Category: Dessert

These delightful bite-sized treats are perfect for camping when made ahead. Bake a chocolate cake at home, crumble it, then mix it with frosting. Roll into balls and refrigerate. At the campsite, dip in melted chocolate for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert that requires minimal effort.

25. Chocolate chip s'mores cookies

Category: Dessert

These cookies combine classic s'mores flavors into a portable treat. Make them ahead and bake at home, then reheat over the fire or enjoy them cold with some ice cream. You can also make them on-site by placing the cookie dough on foil and cooking it on hot coals until golden. 

26. Campfire churros

Category: Dessert

Wrap pizza dough or another pre-made dough around a roasting stick, cook in the campfire flames, then coat with cinnamon and sugar for crispy, sweet churros. They’re a fun campfire dessert made with minimal equipment. You can even prepare your dough at home and use a paper bag filled with cinnamon sugar for coating.

27. French hot chocolate

Category: Dessert

To end a day of outdoor adventure the right way, you need comforting camping drink recipes. Nothing says warm and comforting better than hot chocolate! For this velvety French version, you just need milk, chopped dark chocolate and sugar. Heat over the fire and top with whipped cream or marshmallows for extra indulgence. 

28. No-bake peanut butter cookies

Category: Dessert

This quick recipe is ideal for camping because it requires no baking and stores well in a cooler. You can prepare the mixture at home by combining peanut butter, oats, honey, sugar and vanilla. Use an ice cream scoop to portion the cookies into even sizes. Refrigerate until firm and enjoy around the campfire. 

Tips for campfire cooking

Cooking over a campfire adds to your trip’s sense of adventure, but it requires some preparation. Here are some helpful tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:

• Use tin foil: Cooking ingredients wrapped in tin foil over the open fire is a delicious way to make a homemade meal while camping.
• Don’t forget the meat thermometer: Use a heat thermometer to ensure meats are cooked thoroughly and prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Prep what you can ahead of time: Chop, marinate and portion ingredients at home to save time and reduce mess during camping.
• Bring a camping stove: A portable stove provides a reliable cooking surface, especially when weather conditions or fire restrictions are an issue.
• Use designated camping pots or cast iron pots: Use durable, camp-specific cookware to withstand outdoor conditions and ensure even cooking.
• Don’t forget a cooler: Keep perishable foods cold and fresh by packing a quality cooler with ice.
• Bring a bear bag, if necessary: Hang a bear bag to store food safely away from wildlife and prevent unwanted animal visits.

Order your camping favorites with Instacart

These flavorful meals can turn your camping trips into tasty outdoor celebrations. But to do that, you need high-quality ingredients. 

With Instacart, you can order everything you need to make these delicious camping recipes. Simply browse the wide selection of groceries, place your order and get everything you need delivered straight to your door so you can focus on getting ready for your next outdoor adventure.

Want to add extra fun to your getaway? Check out these food ideas and turn your trip into a true camping party!