Cooking outside in the wild brings a flavor and experience that no kitchen can match. Whether you’re overlanding, camping with the family, or taking a solo trip into the woods, having a solid set of campfire recipes can turn basic ingredients into unforgettable meals.
We are going to walk you through how to cook over a campfire, get practical tips for outdoor cooking, discover tried-and-true campfire recipes, and explore gear that makes outdoor meals easier—including favorites from Renlicon.
Why Campfire Cooking is Worth It
There’s something deeply satisfying about cooking over a fire. The crackle of the flames, the smell of smoke in the air, and the rewarding first bite of a well-earned meal after a long day adventuring.
Cooking outdoors also encourages resourcefulness and creativity. With limited tools, you get to experiment with campfire recipes and discover just how flavorful rustic food can be. It’s about more than just nourishment—it’s part of the adventure.
Must-Have Gear for Campfire Recipes
Before diving into the campfire recipes, it’s important to talk about the essential tools that make cooking over a fire both enjoyable and successful. Whether you're cooking with wood, charcoal, or propane, having the right equipment turns a simple fire into a functional outdoor kitchen.
Grill Surfaces
A portable grill grate is one of the most useful items you can bring to your campsite. It provides a level and stable cooking surface to place pots, pans, or food directly over the flames or coals. A good grill helps distribute heat evenly and keeps food from falling into the fire.
The Grill for Portable Fire Pit is a must-have for campers who want to cook more than just marshmallows. With its porcelain-coated steel wire design, this grill is lightweight, easy to clean, and incredibly stable. It creates a secure cooking surface for meats, veggies, toast, and more right over the fire pit.
Propane Fire Pits
While wood fires offer that classic crackle and smoky flavor, propane fire pits are a reliable and safe alternative—especially in areas with fire restrictions or unpredictable weather. With a propane setup, you get consistent heat, easier ignition, and the ability to cook even in damp conditions. Accessories like the Propane Kit for Portable Fire Pit make it easy to transition between traditional and modern fire sources depending on your environment.
The Propane Kit for Portable Fire Pit offers consistent heat and safety, especially in areas with burn restrictions where wood fires aren't permitted. This kit allows you to convert your Renlicon fire pit into a clean-burning propane cooker that lights quickly and easily adjust with a turn of the knob.
Roasting Tools
No camping trip is complete without skewers or roasting forks. Whether you're toasting marshmallows, grilling sausages, or making kabobs, having extendable, heat-resistant tools gives you more control and safety. Roasting forks like the Rolla Roaster are great for kids and adults alike as they help avoid burnt hands and uneven cooking.
Bonus Tip: Plan Ahead
Gear alone doesn’t guarantee a great meal—but combining the right tools with thoughtful planning can. That’s why Renlicon’s free Overlanding Meal Planner is a game changer. It complements your gear by helping you organize your meals, shopping lists, and prep work before you even leave home.
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a seasoned overlander, investing in quality gear makes cooking over a fire safer, easier, and more delicious.
Campfire Safety, Techniques, and Cooking Methods
Learning how to cook over a campfire begins with a foundation of fire safety, proper fire building, and knowing the best cooking techniques for the open flame.
Fire Building and Safety Essentials
A well-planned campfire not only protects the environment but ensures your meals go off without a hitch. Always clear a space of at least 10 feet in diameter around your fire. Remove dry grass, leaves, or overhanging branches that could ignite. If you’re at a campsite, use designated fire rings or pits. When building your fire, use only dry, seasoned wood and never burn trash or treated lumber.
Once your fire is lit, the key to cooking is patience. Wait until the flames die down and you're left with glowing embers—these provide even heat, reduce flare-ups, and are safer to cook over. Position your grill or cookware over the coals, not the flames. If you're using a propane fire pit, ensure the area is level and secure before attaching the Propane Kit for Portable Fire Pit. Always have a bucket of water or shovel and dirt nearby to fully extinguish your fire when done.
Core Campfire Cooking Methods
Depending on the tools you bring and the meals you plan, you can experiment with a variety of cooking techniques:
- Grilling: Use a stable grill grate over hot coals to cook meats, vegetables, and even fruit. Preheat your grill surface for 10 minutes for best results.
- Skewering: Classic and fun, this method works best for hot dogs, sausages, or veggie kabobs using long skewers or roasting forks.
- Foil Packet Cooking: A favorite for its simplicity and easy cleanup. Wrap food tightly in heavy-duty foil and place it directly into the coals. Ideal for fish, potatoes, and desserts.
- Dutch Oven Cooking: Nestle a cast iron Dutch oven into the embers and cook stews, chilis, casseroles, or even baked goods like cinnamon rolls. Add coals to the lid for even top-down heat.
- Tripod & Pot Cooking: Hang a cast iron pot over the fire using a tripod. Great for soups, boiling water, or slow-cooking meals.
- Rotisserie Cooking: For ambitious meals like whole chickens or roasts, a camp rotisserie setup offers even cooking and exceptional flavor.
Essential Campfire Cooking Gear
Here are a few must-haves for safe and effective outdoor cooking:
- Cast iron skillet or Dutch oven
- Grill grate
- Roasting forks or skewers
- Heat-resistant gloves or pot-holders
- Long-handled spatula and tongs
By mastering the right fire-building and cooking techniques, and using the best tools for the job, you'll make every meal by the fire safer, easier, and more flavorful. It’s all part of the joy of cooking over a fire.
5 Easy and Delicious Campfire Recipes
These five campfire recipes are perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. They use minimal ingredients and can be easy to prep at home.
1. Campfire Breakfast Burritos
Start your day with a hearty, warm burrito.
Ingredients: Scrambled eggs, cooked sausage, shredded cheese, salsa, and tortillas
Steps:
- Cook scrambled egg and sausage on a pan or grill.
- Lay out a tortilla and fill with scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese, and salsa.
- Wrap the burrito tightly in foil.
- Place over hot coals or on the Renlicon grill.
- Turn occasionally and heat for 8–10 minutes until warmed through.
2. Foil Paket Chili Nachos
A cheesy, satisfying snack or light meal.
Ingredients: Tortilla chips, canned chili, shredded cheese, chopped onions
Steps:
- Lay chips on a large piece of foil.
- Top with chili, cheese, and onions.
- Seal the foil packet tightly.
- Cook over hot coals for 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted.
3. Dutch Oven Stew
A hearty one-pot dinner perfect for cooler evenings.
Ingredients: Stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, canned tomatoes, broth
Steps:
- Add all ingredients to a Dutch oven.
- Place over embers and simmer for 1.5–2 hours.
- Stir occasionally and check liquid levels.
- Serve hot with bread or crackers.
4. Campfire Quesadillas
A crispy, cheesy comfort food classic.
Ingredients: Tortillas, shredded cheese, black beans, cooked chicken (optional)
Steps:
- Lay a tortilla on the grill.
- Sprinkle with cheese, beans, and chicken if using.
- Top with another tortilla.
- Grill each side for 3–4 minutes until golden and crisp.
5. S'mores Banana Boats
An easy, gooey dessert that kids and adults love.
Ingredients: Bananas, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers
Steps:
- Slice banana lengthwise (leave peel on).
- Fill with chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs.
- Wrap in foil.
- Cook over coals for 5–7 minutes until melted and warm.
Whether you’re a first timer learning how to cook over a campfire or a seasoned camper who loves cooking over a fire, these recipes are guaranteed to please.
Expand Your Camp Kitchen with the Free Overlanding Meal Planner
Want to take your campfire cooking to the next level? Renlicon’s free Overlanding Meal Planner is packed with tools to help you stay organized and stress-free during your outdoor adventures.
Inside, you’ll find a 5-day meal planner that simplifies what to cook each day, making grocery shopping and packing a breeze. The accompanying food packing checklist ensures you never forget key ingredients or utensils—no more realizing you left the salt and pepper at home. You’ll also get essential wilderness cooking tips that help optimize your camp kitchen setup, from choosing the right cookware to managing your fire safely.
Best of all? It includes four exclusive campfire recipes not featured in this blog. These additional meals are printable and easy to bring with you on the trail.
Make Campfire Cooking Part of the Journey
Whether you're a weekend camper or full-time adventurer, adding a few new campfire recipes to your toolkit never hurts. From hearty breakfasts to smoky dinners and gooey desserts, cooking under the stars can be the highlight of your trip.
And with the right tools from Renlicon, like the grill, propane kit, and roasting forks, you can turn any fire pit into a backcountry kitchen.
So gather your gear, spark that flame, and try something new. The wild is calling—and it smells delicious.
