Just because you’re in the woods doesn’t mean you have to settle for soggy sandwiches and scorched marshmallows. With a little creativity and the right hacks, you can cook up seriously tasty meals over an open flame. These tried-and-true tips bring both flavor and ease to your next camp cookout.
Turn an Orange Peel into a Baking Cup
Scoop out an orange, fill the rind with brownie or muffin batter, and place it near the coals. The peel protects your treat from burning and adds a citrusy aroma that smells like gourmet wilderness magic.
Pre-Mix Pancake Batter in Squeeze Bottles
Mix your pancake batter at home and pour it into a clean squeeze bottle. Come breakfast time, you’ve got no mess, no measuring, and perfect control for flipping golden, fluffy flapjacks straight onto your campfire griddle.
Use a Muffin Tin for Multi-Side Cooking
Muffin tins are your camp kitchen’s secret weapon. Use them to cook sides, eggs, or mini meatloafs in one go. They balance nicely on a grill grate, and each compartment keeps flavors from mingling too much.
Freeze Meat Ahead of Time to Act as Ice Packs
Pack your cooler with frozen steaks or chicken to keep other items chilled longer. By the time you’re ready to cook, they’ll be thawed and still cold, giving you one less thing to worry about at the campsite.
Roast Cinnamon Rolls on a Stick
Pop open a can of premade cinnamon rolls and wrap the dough around a clean roasting stick. Hold it over the fire, rotate slowly, and boom—sweet, sticky campfire spirals with that golden crust we all crave.
Line Pots with Foil for Easy Cleanup
Before you fill a pot with chili or stew, line it with aluminum foil. It keeps the food from burning and makes cleanup nearly effortless—just lift out the foil when you’re done and toss it away.
Make a Campfire Quesadilla Press
Use two pie irons or sandwich presses to create deliciously crispy quesadillas over the fire. Load one tortilla with cheese, beans, or whatever you’ve got, press it, and toast until golden and gooey.
Wrap Bananas in Foil with Chocolate and Marshmallows
Slice a banana lengthwise (don’t peel it), stuff it with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows, then wrap it in foil and place it in the coals. After a few minutes, you’ll have a melty, gooey dessert worth writing home about.
Use a Cooling Rack as a Makeshift Grill
Don’t have a grill grate? A simple metal cooling rack can work wonders over a campfire. Just balance it between two rocks or logs and you’ve got a stable surface for cooking burgers, veggies, or fish.
Cook Inside a Paper Bag Over Coals
Crack an egg into a paper lunch bag, add a couple strips of bacon, and fold the top shut with a stick. Hang the stick over hot coals. The bacon grease soaks the bag and keeps it from burning while your breakfast sizzles inside.
Prep Foil Packets at Home
Assemble foil packet meals—like potatoes, onions, sausage, or veggies—before your trip and label them clearly. Toss them on the fire and let the steam do the work. They’re tasty, easy, and cleanup is practically nonexistent.
Toast Spices at Camp for Better Flavor
A dry pan and a few minutes over the fire are all you need to toast spices like cumin or coriander. It releases bold flavors and transforms even the simplest trail meals into something extra special.
Bring a Grill Basket for Veggie Wins
A lightweight grill basket is a game-changer for cooking delicate veggies over fire. Toss in your seasoned produce and shake occasionally for an even char. No more asparagus falling into the abyss of the flames.
