When you are out camping, hiking, and backpacking you have a lot on your plate. Usually, gourmet food is usually not one of them. It can be down right impossible to pack enough food and gear to make delicious and varied meals, right? Wrong! With the right know-how you can make amazing food without a lot of gear or ingredients. Check out these easy camping recipes that use 5 ingredients or less and you'll never cook (or eat) the same way again.
Camping Breakfast Ideas
Baggie Omelette
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Tbsp Grated Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Capsicum
- 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Onion
- Salt and Pepper to taste
First, fill cooking cup to the max safe line (1 cup) with water and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low.
Second, place all ingredients in a snack bag and remove as much air from the bag as possible and zip close. Place bag in boiling water.
Third, after about 1 minute, remove bag from water and move mixture around in bag and place back in boiling water. Repeat about every minute until the eggs are cooked to your liking (about 5 mins).
Remove bag from Jetboil cooking system and serve immediately.
Hot Granola Breakfast
- 1 Cup of Dried Oats
- 1 Cup of Water
- 1 Cup of Trail Mix
- 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 Tsp Brown Sugar
At home, in a Stasher bag, combine oats, trail mix, cinnamon, and brown sugar. On the trail, bring 1 cup of water to a boil and add the pre-packed ingredients. Boil for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, or until desired thickness is achieved and serve immediately..
Potato and Egg Scramble
- 2 Diced Potatoes
- 8 Eggs, stirred
- 1 Chopped Onion
- 2 Chopped Capsicums (your choice)
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
This wholesome breakfast is an easy camping meal and a great way to start the day. It cooks up in one pan and serves about four.
First, add 1 tablespoon of butter into your fry pan and put it on your Genesis or HalfGen at medium heat. Melt it and spread it around.
Second, add the potatoes, onions, and Capsicums. The potatoes should be in chunks and the onion and capsicums should be chopped, but it's your choice. Cook these until the potatoes are tender and the onions and peppers are nice and cooked - about 15 minutes.
Third, add the second tablespoon of butter and, once it's melted, add the eggs. The eggs will fill all the spaces in between the potatoes, capsicums, and onions. But to ensure even cooking time, cover the pan with lid or tin foil and let it cook until the eggs are nice and ready, about 4 minutes.
Camping Lunch Ideas
Beef Jerky Ramen
- 1 Cup of Mushrooms
- 1 Cup of Mixed, Dried Veggies
- 1 Cup of Beef Jerky
- 1 Bouillon Cube
- 1 Pack of Ramen Noodles
First, unpack and assemble MightyMo burner and Ceramic 1.5L Cook Pot Bring water to a boil. Add mushrooms, dried veggies, beef jerky and bouillon cube. Cover with lid and cook for 3 minutes. Add ramen noodles and cook until tender. Stir well and enjoy.
Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Bread
- Butter
- Marinara Sauce
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Pepperoni
It's part grilled cheese, part pepperoni pizza, and completely delicious. Yes, you could pack some leftover cold pizza on your next camping trip, but why do that when you can enjoy this fresh, hot, cheesy take on two classic comfort foods.
Start as you would with a regular grilled cheese: butter one side of each piece of bread. Place one slice of bread butter-side-down in your Summit Skillet on medium heat. Then add a slice of mozzarella, pepperoni, and another slice of mozzarella. Add the second slice of bread butter-side-up. Cook for 3 minutes or until the bottom slice of bread is golden and toasted. Flip and cook until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Enjoy!
Jetboil Camping Mac & Cheese
- Water
- One box of Mac & Cheese
- Hot Sauce
Everyone's favorite comfort food is just as good, if not better, when enjoyed at a campsite or on the trail. It really is that simple, just pack a box of your favourite mac & cheese and add water. Bonus points for brining your favorite hot sauce for a little kick.
Chi Chi Ramen Noodles
- Ramen Noodles
- Dorito Chips
- Beef (or preferred protein) Jerky
We like to doctor up ramen noodles, can you tell? This one is as simple as crushing up some chips and adding it to your ramen noodles along with some beef jerky for protein. Simple, warm, and filling.
Camping Dinner Ideas
Sesame Chicken
- 1 Packet of Riced Cauliflower
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Canned Chicken
- Salt & Pepper
- 1/4 Cup Sesame Marinade
Unpack and assemble MiniMo burner with Pot Support. Add 1 packet of riced cauliflower, and light the burner. Cover with lid and steam for 3 minutes. Next, add 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 can of chicken and season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup of sesame marinade, and stir together. Cook for a few minutes, then serve
Camp Quesadillas
- Tortillas
- Cheese
The cheesy and filling Camp Quesadilla takes things to a whole new level when it's prepared at camp with friends. It doesn't get much simpler than a quesadilla: it's just cheese and tortillas. We can't think of any other meal that's so good, but involves only two ingredients. Prep work is a breeze, the components are all extremely portable (keeping cheese cool is easy to do), and the actual cooking doesn't require anything fancy or elaborate. Just fire up your Jetboil system, add the Pot Support and a Summit Skillet and you'll be eating in minutes.
Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals
- Water
- Dehydrated Meal
If you get to camp late, or are ultralight backpacking, freeze dried backpacking meals are a quick way to make a delicious dinner that provides nutrition and energy for recovery. It's no secret that at Jetboil we're fans of just-add-water meals. Don't for a second think that these meals require sacrificing quality ingredients or taste, the quality of freeze dried meals has improved exponentially in recent years. We've even noticed that kids love to eat these at camp, even when fresh options are available. Maybe it's just better to eat your meal out of a bag.
Dutch Oven Pizza
- 1 Pizza Crust
- 1 Can Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 20 Slices of Pepperoni
The Dutch Oven is a great and effective place to cook a pizza. Take out your Pizza crust and place it in the bottom of your Dutch Oven. If you want to bring Pizza Dough, just let the Dough cook up for about 5 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients to give yourself a nice base on which to build.
Next, layer out your Tomato Sauce. Try not to use too much, a little bit goes a long way. You can substitute the tomato sauce for things like Buffalo Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, or Store bought Pizza Sauce.
Now Add the Cheddar Cheese. Spread it out so you have even coverage. I prefer to have my Pepperonis not too crispy so I like to add them next. Make sure they are flat and that you have even coverage. Now add the Mozzarella.
Put your Dutch Oven onto the coals. Now place the lid on the Oven and put five or six coals on top of the lid. This will cook the Pizza from both sides so it should only take about 10 minutes.
Camping Snack Ideas
Protein Bars
Protein bars are a favorite choice for hikers, kayakers, runners, and anyone on outdoor adventures. With so many varieties to choose from, whether you prefer low-carb, all-natural, or high-calorie options, there's something for every need. Top brands include Clif Bars and Quest Bars. You can find them just about anywhere-sporting goods stores, grocery stores, online, and even at fuel stations.
Tuna (or Chicken) Packets
Tuna packets are an excellent choice for camping and hiking, offering a lightweight, portable, and protein-rich meal. They're easy to pack, require no refrigeration, and are quick to prepare. Packed with omega-3 fatty acids and lean protein, tuna packets provide a nutritious, filling option for most outdoor adventures.
S'mores
S'mores are a classic campfire treat loved by kids and adults alike. With simple prep-just graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows-it's a fun, no-fuss snack. The perfect combination of sweet and gooey, s'mores offer a delicious, nostalgic taste that brings joy to any camping trip, especially for little campers.
Dark Chocolate-Covered Fruit
Dark chocolate-covered fruit is a tasty, energy-boosting snack for camping and hiking. The rich antioxidants in dark chocolate pair perfectly with the natural sweetness and hydration from fruit, providing a satisfying, nutrient-dense treat. Portable, easy to pack, and delicious, it's an ideal snack to fuel your next camping trip.
String Cheese
String cheese is a perfect snack for family camping trips due to its portability, mess-free nature, and long shelf life. Packed with protein and calcium, it's a nutritious option for both kids and adults. Easy to pack, it's ideal for quick, satisfying bites during your next camping or hiking trip.
No Bake Energy Bites
No-bake energy bites are perfect for camping and hiking trips because they're easy to make, portable, and packed with energy-boosting ingredients. Full of protein, healthy fats, and fiber, they offer a quick, nutritious snack to keep you fueled on the go.
GORP - Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts
GORP (Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts) is a classic camping and hiking snack due to its simplicity, portability, and high energy content. Packed with protein, healthy fats, and natural sugars, it provides lasting fuel. Typical ingredients include peanuts, raisins, chocolate, and sometimes seeds or trail mix additions, making it customizable and nutritious.