I have a little secret: what I really want to do is sit by a fire with a blanket, sweatshirt, hot chocolate (extra whipped cream), and a dessert taco. Because I actually kind of like chilly camping nights.
Did you notice that these treats are super easy? You’re smart like that. I’m not even going to pretend to be sophisticated enough to describe what this power combo of fire and sugar tasted like.
But, if you were going to make me, I’d say it tasted… smoky gooey warm and totally delicious.
1. Campfire Quesadillas
Tortillas are basically the MVP of camping food because they last forever and pack so easily.
I usually grab the mini ones for tacos, but for this recipe, you really want the big guys so you can fold them over and trap all that ooey-gooey goodness inside.
To make sure your marshmallows get melty before the tortilla burns, try using the minis or even a swipe of Marshmallow Fluff. Just watch out, because they will be hot!
2. Campfire Dessert Pizza
Getting away from screens is great, but in reality cooking is still the main event.
This pizza is such a fun way to get the whole crew involved! You can just set up a station with toppings and let everyone build their own masterpiece.
I am personally all about the peanut butter and jelly combo, but I have a feeling a Nutella and brownie mix version would be a total hit, too!
3. Campfire Hot Cocoa
This is likely the simplest way to get your sugar fix without packing a million extra things.
It’s just warm milk meeting up with some cocoa and sugar. I like to pre-mix the dry stuff in a Ziplock bag before we leave so it is ready to go.
And since you are camping, I know you have marshmallows ready to throw on top!
4. S’mores Nacho
If you are feeding a crowd, this is exactly what you need. Just grab a couple of disposable foil roasting dishes and pile them high with chocolate, marshmallow, and crackers.
Everyone can just dig right in, pulling apart the sticky marshmallows and scooping up extra chocolate wherever they please.
5. Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets
Just like the cake mix cobbler, this is mostly about layering and baking. You have to mix a few things, but that is really it!
Try to keep your apple slices nice and thick so they don’t turn into applesauce over the heat.
I like to pop the packs open for the last few minutes to help that topping get a little crispity golden.
6. Campfire Dutch Oven Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Baking from scratch on a tree stump isn’t always the vibe! Using a cake mix makes this process fly by, and it cuts way down on the ingredients you have to haul into the woods.
To make lifting the cake out a total breeze, try lining the pot with foil first.
7. Campfire Banana Boats 9 Ways
Warm, sweet bananas get cooked right inside their peels with delicious things like chocolate chips or pralines melted in the middle! I dare you to try and resist this one!
I am a fan of the classic chocolate and marshmallow route, but if you brought a jar of dulce de leche, you are my kind of camper!
8. Campfire S’mores
It is hard to mess up a s’more. As long as the gang’s all there – chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers – you are pretty much guaranteed a delicious time.
But if you want to nail it, keep that marshmallow moving so it toasts evenly on all sides.
Then, put it right in the center of the cracker and give it a firm press when you pull the stick out. Otherwise, you just get the shell and leave the gooey center behind on the stick.
9. Woof’em: A Campfire Treat
Full disclosure: you need to do a little prep work for this one. You actually have to make a special stick to cook the dough on.
It isn’t hard, though, and it’s a fun little project to do with the kids.
Once you have the stick, you cook canned dough right on it until it bakes into a hollow pocket – which is exactly where all the yummy filling goes!
10. Campfire Baked Apples
Baked apples are healthy-ish, sweet, tender, and honestly such a snap to make! Just hollow out your apples, stuff them with dried fruits, wrap them up, and bake.
You can nestle these right into the fire, or toss them in a Dutch oven with some oat topping if you are feeling fancy.
I say keep the skins on to hold the apple together, but you can peel and slice them like the peaches if you have picky eaters in the bunch.
11. 10-Minute Dutch Oven S’Mores Cake
My favorite part of this is that even if it looks like a mess underneath, those toasted marshmallows on top make it look stunning.
It involves layering pre-made cake into a dish with graham crackers and chocolate. Then the thick marshmallows seal the whole deal!
Once you scoop it into a bowl, no one is going to care what it looks like anyway.
12. Campfire Cones
I never thought about stuffing a waffle cone with treats and roasting it, but this is happening. It is simple: a waffle cone filled to the brim with chocolate, nuts – whatever your heart wants.
The key here is the marshmallows. They are the sticky glue that holds this whole beautiful mess together.
13. Cherry-Chocolate Pudgy Pie
I don’t know about the name, but I do know that these chocolate and cherry grilled sandwiches are impossible to pass up.
Plus, they are so simple and you only need a handful of ingredients.
Just pack some bread and a can of pie filling for your next trip and you are set.
14. Fudge Striped Cookie S’mores
I know graham crackers are the tradition, but who says we can’t switch it up? Swapping in cookies is an instant upgrade, and these fudge cookies are perfect because the chocolate is already attached!
That said, I am not going to stop you if you want to add extra chocolate… I mean, why not?
15. Campfire Donuts Recipe
You have to be pretty committed for this one since it involves a cast-iron skillet of hot oil! The kids will love eating them, but I’d recommend keeping them back while you cook.
Don’t crowd the pan, and toss the donuts in the sugar immediately so you know it will stick.
16. S’mores Snack Mix
This is almost like the muddy buddy recipe, just without the powdered sugar coating. If you need something that holds up better for a longer trip, this mix is the way to go.
You can keep it streamlined with just chocolate, marshmallow, pretzels, and Chex mix, or jazz it up with some M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces.
17. Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
This has a few steps, but it is still a super simple way to get a warm, filling dessert by the fire. I love that you just dump the fruit right over the batter so the juices soak into the cobbler.
And if you want to go even easier, try the cake mix version. Just dump and bake!
18. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Campfire Desserts
I know we already talked about pineapple upside-down cake, but we all love a shortcut!
This version gives you all the flavor with way less effort. It is super campfire friendly, needing just a few ingredients and some skewers.
Pound cake is perfect here: it is tender but sturdy enough to hold up while you toast it over the flame.
19. S’mores Muddy Buddies
Make this at home and bring it along. If you have had puppy chow, you know this stuff is dangerous!
This camping spin uses Golden Grahams, Chex, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
It comes together into the ultimate snack for the trail.
20. Tortilla Smores – Grilled S’mores Tacos
This is so clever! It’s all those s’mores flavors we love, wrapped up like a taco – and honestly, who doesn’t love a taco?
If you want to feel fancy, you could totally throw in some chopped strawberries and a splash of lime juice.
21. Campfire Strawberries
After a few s’mores (okay, maybe four), they can get a little intense. All that rich chocolate and marshmallow adds up.
For a longer trip, you might need something different.
These campfire strawberries are the perfect swap. The fruit is sweet and refreshing, and the Marshmallow Fluff toasts up like a dream.
Just dry your fruit so the Fluff actually sticks!
22. Pound Cake and Berry Campfire Skillet Dessert
I cannot recommend this enough for a quick after-dinner treat. Most of us have a skillet packed anyway, right?
For this one, you just toast up some pound cake and let the pan’s heat do the rest.
As it heats up, the fruit juices release and the chocolate starts to get melty.
If you use Rolos, pull the skillet off before they melt completely so you get those perfect caramel pops.
23. Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
Have you seen those thaw-and-bake cinnamon rolls? They are trouble! But for camping, they are the perfect way to get a warm, tender roll without the work.
Just cook them on a stick and drown them in plenty of cream cheese frosting.
24. Dutch Oven Apple Pie
Okay, I know most of us aren’t hiking with a Dutch oven in our pack! But for the hardcore campers out there, I know you have an oven situation sorted.
For you guys, this is a must! You can totally cheat with store-bought pie dough and feel free to mix up the fruit filling.
25. Caramelized Peaches in Foil
You can make this with canned peaches just as easily as fresh. The only bonus to fresh is cutting them in half and stuffing that brown sugar mix right in the center so it doesn’t spill.
That said, who is going to say no to a foil packet bubbling with juicy peaches and brown sugar syrup?
