Campfire cooking is a timeless tradition enjoyed by people around the world. There’s something special about preparing a meal over an open flame, whether you’re camping in the great outdoors or simply enjoying a backyard bonfire. But if you’re tired of the same old hot dogs and s’mores, it’s time to experiment with some open-flame recipes that will take your campfire cooking to the next level.
Equipment Needed
Before you start cooking over your campfire, it’s important to have the right equipment. Here are some essentials:
- A grill grate or tripod with a hanging chain for cooking pots
- Cooking utensils, including tongs, spatula, and a Dutch oven
- A cast iron skillet
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- A fire pit or fire ring
Campfire Dinner Recipes
Campfire Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place a Dutch oven over the campfire and brown the ground beef.
- Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft.
- Add the black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Cover the Dutch oven with heavy-duty aluminum foil and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the campfire and serve hot.
Campfire Pizza
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
- Pizza sauce
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Assorted toppings (such as pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, and peppers)
Instructions:
- Stretch the pizza dough out to the desired size and thickness.
- Spread pizza sauce over the dough.
- Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and toppings.
- Place the pizza on a grill grate over the campfire and let cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the campfire, slice, and serve hot.
Campfire Dessert Recipes
Campfire Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
- 4 cups sliced apples
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
- Place the sliced apples in a cast iron skillet.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, rolled oats, butter, and cinnamon until it forms a crumbly mixture.
- Sprinkle the crumbly mixture over the apples in the skillet.
- Cover the skillet with heavy-duty aluminum foil and place it on a grill grate over the campfire.
- Cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the campfire and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Campfire Banana Boats
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers
Instructions:
- Cut a slit lengthwise down the center of each banana, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Fill the slit with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers.
- Wrap each banana in heavy-duty aluminum foil and place on a grill grate over the campfire.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the chocolate chips and marshmallows are melted and gooey.
- Remove from the campfire, unwrap, and enjoy!
Campfire cooking doesn’t have to be boring. With these open-flame recipes, you can enjoy delicious and unique meals that will impress your friends and family. So grab your equipment and get cooking!