Going camping is one of life’s great pleasures if you’re outdoorsy. It can be a fantastic way to relax — taking a break from busy modern life, connecting with friends and family, and appreciating the nature around you.
Even if you do nothing more adventurous than settle around a campfire with a good book, it’s well worth it.
But as every foodie traveler knows, no trip is complete without delicious snacks. That is true of camping trips, too!
If cooking on a grill or over an open fire fills you with dread, don’t worry! You can make plenty of easy meals when camping with little effort or cleanup required.
Grab your plate, and let’s dive into this mouthwatering list of easy foods to make while camping in the United States!
![Group of young adults roasting and eating easy camping foods, including hot dogs, around a campfire (© Ivanko80/AdobeStock)](https://www.epicureantravelerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/roasting-hot-dogs-over-campfire.jpg)
Hot Dogs
This dish is closely linked with American culture, so it’s the perfect choice for a camping trip.
Not only are hot dogs a classic meal, but they can be as simple or as fussy as you want to make them.
Whether you’re going for a classic dog, a vegan version, or a fancy variation like pulled pork, there is a hot dog for every camper.
If you’re worried about your cooking skills, then buy hot dogs that can simply be reheated (or eaten cold). Add a bun, some softened onions, and slather on some mustard, then you’re good to go.
Walking Tacos
Despite the name, this dish doesn’t get up and move itself. Instead, the idea is that you can eat it on the move when hiking — or from the comfort of your camping chair if you prefer.
Kids, in particular, will love the novelty of this “no plate” meal, and adults will love the minuscule amount of washing up.
Essentially, these are tacos in a bag or foil; you wrap them up to make a little parcel before pouring your toppings on.
Traditionally, they’re made by browning ground beef, adding chopped onion and taco seasoning, and then pouring the mix onto a bag of corn chips.
You can then top your “taco” with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or anything else you fancy on top before you tuck in.
![Walking taco (© Brent Hofacker/AdobeStock)](https://www.epicureantravelerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/walking-taco.jpg)
Chili
Cooking up a hearty chili is a great option if you’re camping with friends and need to feed a crowd.
You can whip up the chili in one big pot and keep it on a low simmer for hours. This is particularly convenient if everyone isn’t quite ready to eat at the same time.
If you have one, a dutch oven reduces the risk of burning your chili, but any large pot will work for making campfire chili.
Most importantly, remember to tailor the spice level to your audience. People can always add more spice or hot sauce to their bowls, but it’s hard to make chili milder once you’ve gone all-in on the chili pepper.
To complete the meal, serve it with rice or tortilla chips for a warming campfire dinner.
S’mores
Once the savory portion of your meal is over, it’s time for dessert! There are plenty of options for a campfire sweet treat, but the ultimate all-American delicacy is a s’more.
In this campfire classic, toasted marshmallow is topped with chocolate and sandwiched between two graham crackers.
It is a mouthwatering morsel that is hard for anyone to resist. There’s nothing quite like staring up at the stars, gooey s’mores in hand, to make you feel like your everyday worries are floating away.
![S'more held in a woman's hand with campfire in the background](https://www.epicureantravelerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/smore-in-womans-hand.jpg)
Chocolate Orange Cakes
You’d be forgiven for thinking that making cakes without an oven sounds like hard work! Luckily, that is not so with the help of an orange.
Simply bring a box of chocolate cake batter with you, whisk it up, and set it aside. Then, cut the top off an orange, hollow out the middle with a spoon, and pour the cake batter inside. Add the “lid” back on, wrap it loosely in foil, and place it in the fire.
It’s best to place it in the embers, as it’s often a steadier heat. Then, wait 10 minutes before carefully opening your cake parcel and sticking a knife into the batter to see if it’s cooked.
If you can resist, leave it to cool slightly before eating, lest you burn your mouth. For extra sweetness, add a swirl of whipped cream on the top.
Easy Camping Foods for Your Off-Grid Foodie Adventure
There you have it — five totally scrumptious camping foods to eat around the campfire!
When you go on your own American camping adventure, roast hot dogs and marshmallows for s’mores, cook walking tacos or chili, and bake a chocolate cake inside an orange.
As you can see, not all good food needs to be served on china plates! The simplicity of these easy camping dishes and a hearty dose of fresh air will have you coming back for more every time.
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![What to eat when camping](https://www.epicureantravelerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/What-to-eat-when-camping-576x1024.jpeg)
Photo credits:
- Lead image of a s’more in a man’s hand (© Kieferpix/AdobeStock)
- Group of friends roasting and eating hot dogs around a campfire (© Ivanko80/AdobeStock)
- Walking taco (© Brent Hofacker/AdobeStock)
- S’more in a woman’s hand (© Erica/AdobeStock)
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