Dutch oven camping recipes can be a campers best friend when it comes to preparing meals out in the wilderness. Dutch ovens have long been a favorite cooking tool, and because of its versatility, any seasoned camper will tell you that it is a must-have to take along on every camping trip you take! A dutch oven is a thick pot, usually made out of cast iron with a fitted lid, that can either hang above a hot fire, or placed directly into the hot coals of a fire for cooking and baking.
Though many typically think of cooking casseroles and skillet dishes in a dutch oven, the possibilities are endless on what you can make, from pies and cakes, to breakfast rolls, to puddings, fondue, whole birds, pizza, rice, yummy fall cider, and essentially anything that you could make in your oven at home! We are going to show you some of these versatile recipes for different tastes and a variety in your campfire cooking.As with any meals we post, you'll want to do some preparation ahead of time! Cook and refrigerate what you can at home before you hit the road, and be sure to bring all necessary ingredients and spices to ensure your campfire cooking goes smoothly, and doesn't take longer than planned! If you're struggling with finding a place to put all of your food and ingredients, check out our blog post: Space Saving Tips for Packing Camp Food!Substitute or add ingredients as you wish! I personally prefer sausage in my casserole rather than ham, and I even add a little bit of hot sauce for an extra kick!
Ingredients
butter
12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 bag (32 oz.) Ore-Ida Hash Browns, thawed
1 can diced green chilies
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 pound shredded cheddar cheese (or more for extra cheesiness!)
diced ham
salt
pepper
Directions
Start coals. Butter the inside of your Dutch Oven. Add eggs and milk; beat well with fork until blended. Add hash browns, chilies, onion, cheese, ham and spices. Mix well until all ingredients are coated and submerged in egg mixture. Bake at about 375 degrees for 45 minutes, turning oven and lid regularly to avoid burning. Check after 45 minutes, using a knife to poke the middle checking for liquid. Keep checking every 15 minutes until the middle isn't runny. This recipe may take up to 90 minutes (total cook time), so keep extra coals going. Sprinkle with more cheese (if desired) during last 15 minutes or so. Enjoy with ketchup or salsa!
Serves about 8 (depending on how many eggs you use).
Tips & Alterations
If you're looking for something sweet to get your camping day started, dutch oven blueberry cinnamon rolls are the perfect solution!
Ingredients (Dough)
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
4-5 cups flour
1/2 heaping tsp. baking powder
scant 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Ingredients (Blueberry Filling)
1 pint blueberries
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2-3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
3/4 cup water
Ingredients (Blueberries for Sprinkling)
1 pint blueberries
2 Tbsp sugar
4 Tbsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp flour
Directions (Blueberry Filling)
This special blend of a green chile cheese cornbread recipe and a white bean chili recipe will make your mouth water. A perfect blend of bold spicy flavor and favorite comfort foods, you'll be coming back for seconds.
Find this delicious recipe here!
For the many pizza lovers out there, you truly can't go wrong with cooking a pizza in a dutch oven. Here's the perfect dutch oven pizza recipe for you to try!
Recipe at Camping for Foodies!
Even s’mores are arguably more delicious when made in a dutch oven. A staple in the camping world, who doesn't love a goey chocolate s'more?! Baking them in a dutch oven makes for the perfect scrumptious dessert.
Find the recipe + instructions at gingersnapcrafts!
Top off your delicious meals with the sweet taste of apple cider. A dutch oven provides the perfect environment for cider spices to mix, creating a comforting warm drink to sip on for those chili evenings around a campfire. Add cranberries for an added kick!
Ready to pull out the dutch oven and get started on these campfire meals? I know I am! If you haven't picked up your very own dutch oven yet and you're not sure what type to get to fit your needs, or if you're not sure of the best dutch oven cooking procedures, here's a great guide to get you started!
If these particular Dutch Oven camping recipes aren't enough to suit your fancy, Mom with a Prep has put together a fantastic ebook chock full of 500 dutch oven recipes, plus tips and tricks for using your dutch oven while camping! Go download it here! Be sure to tell us your best campfire recipes in the comments below!