Ahhhh, camping. Being in the great outdoors really does build up an appetite!
So what to feed your family? Here’s 17 tasty camping recipes to keep bellies full and the bucket clean-up easy.
With a skillet, a Dutch oven and roll of foil, it doesn’t matter if you’re camping out bush or in your own backyard, these camping recipes can be enjoyed by everyone.
Easy Family Camping Recipes
1. Damper
The bread which can be a meal in itself, eat it warm and so lathered in butter it drips down your hand. We love this tasty beer and bacon twist on the traditional recipe from Taste.
2. Breakfast sandwiches (DIY McMuffin)
The perfect morning fuel before heading out on a busy day. Bacon or sausage and egg sandwiched between rolls or muffins will fill you right up until lunch time. Follow this how-to from Damn Delicious and eat them fresh.
3. S’mores
It goes without saying. Though we don’t have the traditional Graham crackers here in Australia, just about any whole wheat biscuit will suffice. AND if you have quite the crowd of kids with zero patience, try this tray bake version of s’mores from Let’s Camp More. Genius!
4. Ham and cheese camp fire rolls
From Pappy’s Campfire Cooker, these ham and cheese camp fire rolls will keep the fussiest of eaters happy.
5. Toasted marshmallows
Definitely. Lightly toast them until they are golden or do as I do and aim for that crunchy, bitter and completely moorish charcoal crust. Think you’ll only need one packet of marshmallow? Maybe pack three or four, just to be safe. Cottage Life has all the tips and tricks for the perfect toasting!
6. Camp fire cone desserts
For every sweet tooth sitting around the fire, take one waffle ice cream cone and stuff it with all things delicious, wrap in foil and heat it through. Bananas, strawberries, marshmallow, caramels, chocolate chips or Nutella are all tasty inclusions. The Girl Who Ate Everything has some great recipe ideas to try.
7. BBQ chicken foil packs
Awesome individual dinner serves (or cheat and throw it all in a Dutch oven to bubble away), chicken with vegetables, sweet pineapple and a BBQ sauce is positively gourmet camping fare! Head to Pillsbury for all the ingredients to add to your shopping list.
8. Pancakes
An easy option, pancakes and pikelets can cater for just about every food situation – breakfast, snack and dessert. Yum! See Thrifty Foods‘ camping pancake recipe you can bag up before you leave home.
9. Mac and cheese
You absolutely CAN eat mac and cheese while out bush. Check out this super cheesy and mighty delicious looking macaroni cheese recipe from Lauren’s Latest.
10. Trail mix
A childhood favourite, I was all about the trail mix. Follow a recipe such as this one from Super Healthy Kids. Or create your own healthy (or not so healthy) blend of cereal, seeds, nuts, dried fruit and chocolate treats, bag them up and stuff your pockets with.
11. Apple crumble
From Fresh Off The Grid, camping doesn’t mean sacrificing on taste with this apple crisp (or crumble) ON THE CAMP FIRE. Sign me up for camping STAT!
12. Toad in the hole
An oldie but a goodie, toad in a hole is a holiday brekkie favourite. Don’t forget to grill your bread for a minute or two first! For a quick how-to for this iconic dish, head to Taste of Home.
13. Camp fire potatoes
Oh my Heavens. Cheese on carbs and then some. Delish show us how to prep the most amazing of camp fire potato dishes with this cheese-licious recipe.
14. Dutch oven nachos
Yes you can cook Mexican food, camp style! From Fresh Off The Grid is this delicious camp fire nachos recipe. Load up your Dutch oven with all your regular nachos favourites and get ready to wow the kids!
15. Bolognese goulash
Part goulash, part spaghetti bolognese this old fashioned goulash from My Incredible Recipes is a delicious party in a pot!
16. Meat and vegetable kebabs
From Outdoor Feeds, anything on a stick – marinated chicken, lamb or beef mixed with vegetables is a complete feed!
17. Sausage in bread – or fancy hot dog
The basis of every camping meal plan – if all else fails, you’ll get by on sausages! Dress them up Taste style, with mustard in hot dog rolls or have them sausage sizzle style with caramelised onion, wrapped in white bread. The. BEST.
Happy camping everyone! I highly recommend packing packets of two-minute noodles, tin baked beans, tin spaghetti and creamed rice as backups for when the camp chef wants the night off!
Now that you have the camping recipes sorted, check our handy guide to family camping on a budget.
