Does anything beat the joy of cooking and enjoying a meal outdoors, surrounded by nature? With a trusty cast iron Dutch oven, you don’t even need to leave the campfire to whip up something delicious. You can transform simple ingredients into mouthwatering dishes that will rival anything you could make at home. And we’re here to get you started with four delicious campfire Dutch oven recipes.
Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast as you watch the sunrise, taking a quick lunch break with friends, are ready for a hearty dinner, or want just a little something sweet, these recipes are sure to satisfy or even delight!
So, grab your Dutch oven, gather your ingredients, and meet us by the campfire. It’s time to get cooking!
Dutch Baby (or German) Pancakes
Start your day off with a touch of magic with these fluffy, golden pancakes that rise beautifully in a Dutch oven. Even better, while it’s a showstopper, it’s surprisingly easy to make. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar, some juicy berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup to kick off your day with satisfied smiles.
Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice—room temperature is best)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon or nutmeg (optional)
- 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
Optional toppings: Maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or cinnamon sugar
Directions:
- Prepare your coals or start a fire. (You can also preheat an oven to 425 degrees F if you don’t have a campfire handy.)
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and beat until smooth. Then, stir in the milk before adding the flour, syrup, salt, and cinnamon or nutmeg (if using). Mix until smooth.
- Once the embers or charcoals are ready, preheat the Dutch oven by setting it over the coals. Add the butter to the bottom of the Dutch oven. After donning some fire/heatproof gloves, carefully swirl it around until it’s completely melted.
- Once the butter is melted, it’s time to pour your Dutch baby batter into your Dutch oven.
- Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place it over the coals. Then add hot coals on the lid to create an oven.
- Give it 10 minutes before taking a look to check the progress. You’ll know when the Dutch baby is done, as it will be all puffed up with golden brown spots.
- Once it’s done, remove it from the heat and serve immediately with your favorite toppings and, perhaps, a piping hot beverage.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Serves 4 | Calories: 244 | Fat: 16 g | Carbs: 17 g | Fiber: 0.6 g | Sugar: 5 g | Protein: 7 g
Simple Campfire Nachos
Who says lunch has to be boring? If you’re hanging out around the campfire in the afternoon, nachos are a sure crowd pleaser that’s so fast and simple to throw together—especially if you have a Dutch oven. With layers of gooey cheese, energy- and protein-rich beans, and loads of flavor from your favorite toppings, you’ll tempt everyone’s taste buds and be ready to take on the afternoon’s adventure.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil
- 2 five-oz bags of tortilla chips (try the Jalapeno Lime Grain-Free Chips from Siete for a new twist!)
- 1 can Ro*Tel® (or your favorite canned diced tomatoes), drained
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 can black beans (drained)
- 1 large avocado, cubed
- 4 green onions, sliced
- Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Salsa
Directions:
- Lightly oil the bottom of a large Dutch oven.
- Evenly spread 1/3 of the chips in the bottom of the pan. Add a quarter of a can of tomatoes, 1/4 can of black beans, and 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layering with all the ingredients until you’ve added the remaining chips, tomatoes, beans, and cheese.
- Cover the Dutch oven and place on a metal grate over your campfire. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted.
- Top with the avocado, green onion, cilantro, lime wedges, and your choice of salsa.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Serves 8 | Calories: 332 | Fat: 17 g | Carbs: 40 g | Fiber: 11 g | Sugar: 4 g | Protein: 9 g
Dutch Oven Enchiladas
Whether you’re serving a hungry family or sharing with a group of friends, this satisfying meal provides nearly universal appeal.
Ingredients:
- 8 flour tortillas
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- 1 diced sweet onion
- 2 diced bell peppers, seeds removed
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- One 4.5-oz can green chilis
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 14 oz can pinto beans, drained
- 2 cups shredded chicken (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
Directions:
- Prepare campfire coals. Set aside around 20 prepared hot coals.
- Wrap cold (but fully cooked) tortillas in aluminum foil. Set them on a grate over the hot coals for a couple of minutes until they’re warmed through.
- While tortillas are warming, dice vegetables. Set aside the tortillas.
- Put oil, diced onion, peppers, chilis, tomatoes, and seasoning into the Dutch oven. Set the oven over the prepared coals and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the vegetables from the heat and put them into a bowl. Then, add beans and shredded chicken (if using) and stir.
- Pour one can of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the Dutch oven.
- Add between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of the bean mix into each tortilla (depending on how much filling you have).
- Roll up the filled tortillas and set them seam-side down in the Dutch oven over the enchilada sauce. (If you still have filling, you can spoon it into the bottom of the Dutch oven with the enchilada sauce before adding all the filled tortillas.)
- Top the tortillas with the rest of the enchilada sauce, sprinkle on the shredded cheese, and put on the lid firmly.
- Set the oven over the hot coals and add the hot charcoal you had previously set aside on top of the lid.
- Let it cook for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and gooey and the liquid has cooked down.
- Remove from heat and allow the enchiladas to set for a few minutes. Add a handful of shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes right before serving.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Serves 8 | Calories: 328 | Fat: 12.5 g | Carbs: 25 g | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 3 g | Protein: 25 g
Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler
At the end of the day, it’s a special treat to enjoy something sweet around the campfire. This Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler is as American as, well, apple pie and perhaps even more delicious. The warm, spiced apple filling topped with a buttery topping is just the right dessert for celebrating the end of a fun day outdoors. Really want to take it over the top? Add a scoop of ice cream. Yum!
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pound bag of apples, cored and sliced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup frozen butter
- 1/3 cup milk
Directions:
- Prepare your coals. You want them to be white and hot before you start baking.
- Line the Dutch oven with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Coat the sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar. Then, arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of your Dutch oven.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon for the cobbler topping.
- Slice the frozen butter into cubes. Then, using a fork, pastry cutter, or better yet, just your clean fingers, work them into the flour mixture until you have a coarse mixture. Gradually add the milk and combine to form the dough for the cobbler.
- Dollop the cobbler topping over the apples.
- Place the lid over the Dutch oven and place it over the coals. Add coals to the lid (to achieve an oven temperature of around 350 degrees F).
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the cobbler is golden brown.
- Place a serving in each bowl and top with a scoop of ice cream if desired.
- Enjoy every delicious bite.
Nutrition Facts:
Serves 6 | Calories: 277 | Fat: 9 g | Carbs: 50 g | Fiber: 6 g | Sugar: 29 g | Protein: 3 g
Campfire Dutch Oven Recipes = Happy Camping
Camping is all about making memories. And great food is just icing on the cake, so to speak. These Dutch oven recipes are designed to be fairly quick and easy to make yet delectably tasty. Whether you’re enjoying the sunrise with a hot cup of coffee and a delicious Dutch baby for breakfast, or winding down and watching the stars with a scoop of apple cobbler, or any meal in between, you’re sure to find every bite delightful. So, the next time you’re packing up your RV, don’t forget to include your Dutch oven. Happy camping and Bon Appetit!
