8 Easy Campfire Meals That Feel Surprisingly Gourmet

in Camping / by

We’re all about building a routine on the road.

At Roofnest, we crave efficiency — better ways to organize our gear, and faster options for hitting the open road and getting the most out of our next adventure. That’s why we designed our Roofnests to pop open in under a minute, so you can get to the good stuff quicker.

Part of our need for speed includes having easy camping meals on deck at all times.

With the amount of rugged exploring you’ll be doing during the day, we’re guessing you’ll work up quite an appetite by the end of the day. And when you’re exhausted from a long hike or bike ride, the last thing you want to do is worry about what’s for dinner.

Here are 8 simple and delicious campfire meals that will give more time back to your evening and leave you energized for whatever comes next.

1) Hot Hawaiian Sandwich

When we’re out on the road, it’s always easy to put together a quick sandwich and call it a day. But we wanted to go the extra mile to change it up a bit with this tasty upgrade.

Our Hot Hawaiian sandwich is the perfect campfire meal in foil to toss on the fire and spice up your dinner. You can customize it with your favorite sandwich fixings, and make extras for a hike or daytrip.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 –15 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 Rhodes Artisan French Rolls, thawed to room temperature
• 9 oz deli sliced ham
• 6 pineapple rings, cut in half if desired
• 6 slices cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp honey

How to Make it

1. Mix the honey and dijon mustard together, slice rolls in half, and spread the mixture on the bottom of insides of roll.
2. Layer your sandwich as follows: ham on top of bread, pineapple ring on top of ham, top the pineapple with a slice of cheddar cheese, and add the top bun.
3. Wrap sandwich in tin foil and place over hot coals for 10 –15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. Enjoy!

2) Campfire Nachos

Who doesn’t love nachos?

No need for utensils today. With a variety of canned or fresh ingredients, this is an easy camping meal for the family that’s ready in a flash.

Whip up our campfire nachos in a cast iron, and be the camp hero of the evening.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 –15 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ lb tortilla chips
• 1 (7.75 oz) can of Pico de Gallo
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of black beans, drained
• 1 large avocado, cubed
• 4 – 5 green onions, sliced
• A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 small lime cut into wedges

How to Make it

1. Lightly oil the bottom of a large Dutch oven or cast iron pan.
2. First layer: Evenly spread ⅓ of the chips on bottom, topped with ¼ can of the hot tomato sauce, ¼ can of black beans, ¼ cup of cheese, and a handful of avocado, cilantro, and green onions. Repeat for second and third layer.
3. Place Dutch oven or cast iron pan on embers or metal grill over fire, for about 10 minutes or until the cheese has fully melted.
4. Once melted, squeeze limes over nachos, and serve hot.

3) Cinnamon Roll-Ups

We’ve all roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, and brats over the campfire. But what about breakfast?

You could break out the pan, fire up the grill, crack some eggs, get plates and forks, then spend time cleaning it all up.

Or, you could simply cook our favorite cinnamon roll-ups for an easy campfire breakfast. Then spend that extra time plotting out your next hike!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pack of crescent rolls
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• Water
• Wooden skewers or marshmallow sticks

How to Make it:

1. Mix the cinnamon and sugar on a plate.
2. Split crescent rolls and wrap each one around its own skewer.
3. Roll wrapped skewer in the cinnamon sugar mix.
4. Cook over the campfire for approximately 5 minutes, rotating like a marshmallow.
5. Create a powdered sugar glaze, by combining ¼ cup powdered sugar, and 3 tbsp water then drizzle over cooked roll-ups. Sweet!

4) Walking Tacos

If you’re anything like us, you like to work smarter, not harder.

That’s why our roof top tents set up in less than a minute. That’s also exactly why we love the ease of the walking taco while camping.

No plates are necessary, and they couldn’t be easier to clean up. Just toss the bag in your pack-out pack or trash so you can leave no trace.

This recipe is perfect when you’re on the go, or if you’re looking for an easy camping meal for a large group.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1lb ground beef or turkey
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• 6 snack size bags of Fritos or Doritos

Suggested Toppings

• Black Beans
• Lettuce
• Tomato cubed or Fresh Pico
• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Salsa

How to Make it:

1. Brown beef or turkey, and drain liquid.
2. Add onion to meat and sauté until soft.
3. Add taco seasoning to meat and onion, mix along with ½ cup of water until absorbed.
4. Add black beans and simmer.
5. Crush up the chips in the bag and add meat.
6. Add all your desired toppings, and dig in!

5) Grilled Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans

After a long day of adventuring, we all want nothing more than a good meal and a comfortable bed to sleep in.

You probably won’t pack your crockpot on your next camp trip, but you can still get a hardy meal with this campfire meal in foil that cooks up in less than an hour.

Once you throw it on the campfire, you’ll have time to stargaze or play a game of cards with the kids.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• ¾ lb fresh green beans trimmed and halved
• ½ b red potatoes quartered
• 1 large onion sliced
• 1 lb smoked sausage cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp butter
• ⅓ cup water

How to Make it

1. Prepare an area of the campfire to set foil packs on hot embers.
2. On large sheet of tin foil, combine the potatoes, green beans, onion, and sausage then season with salt and pepper.
3. Coat with olive or coconut oil, and top with butter.
4. Seal tin foil around ingredients, leaving a small opening on top.
5. Pour water into the opening and seal to steam the ingredients.
6. Place foil pack on hot embers and cook for 20–30 minutes. Turn it over multiple times for even cooking until sausage is browned and vegetables are tender.

6) Cheesy Garlic Fries

There’s something so comforting about melty cheese. And there’s no doubt these cheesy garlic fries wil be a campground crowd-pleaser.

Between your friends asking about your Roofnest roof top tent and witnessing your awesome cooking skills, you’re sure to impress with this one.

Baked right over the campfire, these potato wedges will get a perfect crisp covered with a nice coat of melted cheese.

And however much you plan on making, make twice as much. Trust us.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30-40 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or more if you like spice
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp pepper
• 1 lb red potatoes cut into 8 long wedges
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives

How to Make it

1. In small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
2. Place potato eedges onto large sheet of tin foil and fold up all four sides.
3. Spoon olive oil mixture on top of potatoes.
4. Seal foil pack closed on all sides.
5. Cook for 30-35 minutes on hot embers, or until potatoes are tender.
6. Cover with cheese and cook for 3-5 more minutes.
7. Garnish with sour cream and chives. Dig in!

7) Grilled Pineapple Chicken Foil Packets

This foil camping recipe is the perfect summertime dinner. It’s excellent for around the campfire, but we like to make it at home, too. It’s just that good.

Spice up your classic chicken and veggie dinner with grilled pineapples, peppers, and onions coated in delicious teriyaki sauce. For added flare, garnish with some cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 1 sweet onion chopped
• 1 ½ cups pineapple chunks
• 1 cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 cup Asian toasted sesame dressing

How to Make it

1. Whisk together teriyaki sauce and sesame dressing.
2. Create 4 large tin foil bowls by folding sides to hold ingredients.
3. Mix chicken, peppers, onions, pineapple chunks, and sauce between the 4 tin foil bowls.
4. Fold tin foil packs closed to create a complete seal.
5. Place packets on embers around fire for 10 – 15 minutes, flip packet cver cne time half way through.
6. Carefully open foil packs and make sure chicken is cooked all the way through.
7. Once finished garnish with cilantro and sesame seeds.

8) Berry Pound Cake Campfire Skillet

We couldn’t make a list of our favorite campfire meals without our favorite dessert.

And while we all love the classic S’mores, we thought we would mix it up a bit on our last trip with this sweet treat.

This dessert skillet is easy, quick, and absolutely delicious. Your kids can even add their own creative combinations, like gummy worms and sprinkles if that’s what they’re into.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients

• 16 oz fresh berries
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• ¾ lb pound cake
• 2 Rolo candy bars or mini Reeses cups

How to Make it

1. Combine sugar and berries in bowl and let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Place cast iron pan on hot embers and add butter.
3. Cut pound cake into 1” cubes and drop into cast iron, turning frequently until all sides are toasted.
4. Remove skillet from heat, add berries and Rolos or mini Reeses.
5. Cover with foil and let sit 5 – 10 minutes or until the chocolate is melted.

Ready to Take Your Camp Cooking to the Next Level?

Heading out into nature to enjoy the bird’s-eye view in your Roofnest doesn’t mean that you have to survive off hot dogs and marshmallows.

Elevate your outdoor experience with these tent camping meals that will leave you feeling like a 5-star chef.

When you’re tired of the winter weather, why not plan an escape and bring these recipes along with you?

If you’re feeling the cabin fever coming on, park your Roofnest at any of these 5 warm weather camping spots in the US >

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