Campfire Recipes
Summertime is often camping time. And camping can often make you hungry. We’ve assembled a list of cadet-appropriate campfire recipes from really simple to slightly more complex. Some of these are suitable for use with the Camp Cooking and Dutch Oven Cooking merit badges.
Safety First
Campfire cooking is great to learn about and fun to practice, but it also requires particular attention to safety. Always use safe and legal fire-building practices. Make sure your equipment is in good repair. Use appropriate tongs and other tools, and consider wearing oven mitts or similar. Always leave your camp (and cooking) site in better condition than you found it.
Really Easy – Foil Packets and Similar
These recipes all use aluminum foil in a packet or similar configuration to contain the food while it cooks on coals (or a rack above coals). Many can be prepared ahead of time and/or frozen and/or kept in a cooler.
Hobo Dinner Foil Packets
A classic favorite for campouts – along with some suggestions for variations
Chicken and Black Bean Nachos
Something a little different – using rotisserie chicken
Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches
Au jus is optional
Campfire Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
Make a loaf’s worth and feed the whole cadre
Camping Breakfast Burritos
Make these ahead of time for a really easy breakfast
Campfire Chili Cheese Fries Tin Foil Dinner
Maybe not the healthiest meal ever, but delicious
BBQ Chicken Foil Packs
Sweet and savory elements
Hot Ham and Cheese Campfire Sandwiches
Easy to make ahead of time or on-site
Foil Pack Chocolate Marshmallow Banana
You know – for dessert
S’Mores Campfire Cones
A twist on the usual s’mores
Pretty Easy – Cast-Iron Skillet
These recipes use a cast-iron skillet for cooking the food. Many of these recipes might work for the Camp Cooking badge. Honestly, there’s not a lot you can’t cook with a decent cast-iron skillet…
How to Make Campfire Pizza
Could be a solution for those really picky eaters
Egg and Spinach Breakfast Burritos
This one is borderline healthy
Campfire Nachos
Always a favorite, easily customized
Camper’s Breakfast Hash
This is some pretty hearty stuff
Camping Mac’N’Cheese with Kielbasa
Better than usual mac and cheese
Pound Cake and Berry Campfire Skillet Dessert
Dessert, but a little different
Not As Easy (but still pretty easy) – Dutch Oven Cooking
Remember that cadets must earn the Camp Cooking and Fire Building merit badges before they are eligible to earn the Dutch Oven Cooking merit badge. Dutch Ovens are a great way to prepare meals when camping, though they require some extra care for safety’s sake.
Camp Chili and Cornbread
Make both in the same Dutch Oven
Baked Ziti
Serious comfort food
Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken and Potatoes
The whole meal in one pot
Dutch Oven Enchiladas
Very easy to customize for spice levels if needed
Dutch Oven Cheesy Garlic Bread Bites
A delicious pull-apart snack or side dish
Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon and Eggs
Breakfast for the cadre
Campfire Donuts
Not just for breakfast
3-Ingredient Blackberry Campfire Cobbler
Because dessert
If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@calvinistcadets.org.