Let me tell you… camping just hits different when you’ve got food that’s easy to make, comforting, and lowkey gourmet. I fell down a Reddit rabbit hole the other day (as one does) and came across a thread about pie irons—also called jaffles in Australia, apparently—and I’ve been obsessed ever since.
I don’t even own a pie iron (yet), but after seeing all the creative ideas people were dropping, I had to snag one. Whether you’re working with a campfire, a grill, or a backyard bonfire, these recipes are chef’s kiss. Here are 15 must-try camping pie iron recipes you’ll wanna try on your next outdoor adventure:
1. Sweet & Salty S’mores
Start with two slices of buttered bread. On one slice, spread a little peanut butter, sprinkle on some crushed pretzels or peanuts, and add a square of chocolate. Top it off with a couple of marshmallows, sandwich it, and toast it over the fire until golden. It’s melty, gooey, salty, sweet—basically everything you want in a campfire treat.
2. Grilled PB&J (With a Twist)
Your classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich gets a serious upgrade when it’s hot and toasty. Add sliced bananas or thinly sliced apples inside for extra texture and flavor. You’ll end up with a warm, melty, nostalgic pocket of goodness that hits just right after a day outdoors.
3. Honey Date Delight
This one’s for the sweet tooth who wants something a little more grown-up. Spread cream cheese on one slice of buttered bread, add chopped dates or raisins, and drizzle with honey. Want to go savory-sweet? Add a slice of prosciutto or smoked ham. It’s like a little bite of holiday brunch in the middle of the woods.
4. Chocolate Hazelnut Dream
Nutella lovers, this one’s for you. Spread that chocolate-hazelnut goodness generously, then top with fresh strawberry or banana slices and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers. Toast it until everything’s warm and gooey. It tastes like a chocolate-covered fruit situation you’d pay $12 for—but you made it with a campfire.
5. Banana Split Toastie
Skip the ice cream and go for a fire-friendly version: sliced bananas, chocolate chips (or a square of dark chocolate), and marshmallows between two slices of buttered bread. Toast until golden. It’s melty, it’s sweet, and it makes you feel like a happy kid on summer vacation.
6. Caramel Apple Pie
Use cinnamon swirl bread if you’ve got it, and fill it with apple pie filling (or chopped apples mixed with a little sugar and cinnamon). Drop in a caramel candy or drizzle with caramel sauce before toasting. It’s like a warm slice of fall, and it smells amazing while it cooks.
7. The Dutch Ham & Cheese
Pumpernickel or rye bread gives this sandwich a bold flavor base. Stack on slices of smoked ham, thin apple slices, and creamy Gouda (don’t be shy—add cheese to both sides if you want that stretch!). Toast it up until the bread is crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted.
8. The Wisco Melt
This one’s got serious Midwest vibes. Use sourdough bread, a few slices of sharp Wisconsin cheddar, cooked bacon, and a dollop of whole grain mustard. It’s smoky, cheesy, and tangy in all the best ways. I swear, it tastes like something you’d get at a camp-themed diner.
9. The Ultimate Tuna Melt
Mix up a quick tuna salad (canned tuna, mayo, chopped pickles, maybe a little Dijon), then layer it on multigrain bread with a slice of tomato and melty cheese like Fontina or Swiss. Toast until the outside is golden and the inside is bubbly. Who knew camping could feel this cozy?
10. Grilled Caprese
Use hearty bread like sourdough and layer fresh mozzarella, tomato slices (go for Roma—they’re less juicy), and a basil leaf or two. If you’ve got it, add a few drops of balsamic glaze or olive oil. Toast until the cheese is melty and the bread is crispy. It’s basically a fancy panini made fireside.
11. Summer Sausage & Havarti
Start with rye bread and layer on thinly sliced summer sausage, creamy Havarti cheese, and either sliced red onions or sauerkraut for a bit of zing. A swipe of brown mustard pulls it all together. Toast until the outside is golden and the cheese is soft and dreamy.
12. Deluxe Campfire Pizza
You can totally make pizza in a pie iron. Just layer pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and any other toppings you like (onions, olives, peppers) between two slices of buttered bread. Toast it until everything is hot and melty. It’s like pizza rolls… but better.
13. Fiesta Torta Pocket
This one’s packed with flavor. Start with refried beans, a bit of avocado or guac, chopped red onion, and salsa. Add cooked chicken or ham and a sprinkle of cheese (queso fresco or Monterey Jack). Toast it up and enjoy that Mexican-inspired flavor in every bite.
14. Chili Dog Sandwich
Slice a hot dog into rounds and load it onto buttered bread with a spoonful of chili, shredded cheddar, diced onions, and mustard. Toast it until the cheese melts and the edges get crispy. It’s messy in the best way—and a total crowd-pleaser.
15. The Honey Elvis
Use cinnamon swirl bread, then slather on peanut butter, sliced banana, and a drizzle of honey. Toast it until the bread is golden and the filling is warm and melty. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you do a little happy dance after the first bite.
Bonus: You Don’t Need a Pie Iron (But You’ll Want One)
I’ve been experimenting with foil packets instead of a pie iron, and it totally works if you don’t mind a little crispier crust. Just wrap everything up tight, flip it halfway through cooking, and keep an eye on the heat. I might upgrade to an actual pie iron soon—especially since you can use it for everything from cookies to steak. (Yup. Someone even used a frozen Totino’s pizza folded in half. Campfire goals.)
Anyway, the whole point is to get creative and have fun with it. Whether you’re using bread, crescent rolls, biscuit dough, or tortillas, just spray everything down with non-stick spray, and don’t be afraid of a little trial and error.
Got a favorite combo I didn’t mention? Drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for my next campfire food obsession