Planning meals for your next camping trip?
Then, you’re probably on the hunt for the best camping dessert ideas!
And I don’t mean just bringing a pack of Oreos, because you can actually make some really great treats while camping!
If you don’t have an idea of what to make, I’ve got you covered.
Here are the best camping dessert ideas to try. Let’s dive in!
Campfire Treats
Here are some fun desserts you can make with your cozy campfire!
Campfire Cones
Roasting marshmallows is always fun, but not when there are 10 people trying to get their skewers into the fire at the same time.
Well, these campfire cones totally eliminate that problem. This recipe includes mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham crackers all stuffed into a waffle cone.
The cool thing is, you can add whatever sweets you want: M&Ms, Rolos, peanut butter cups – anything!
Plus, these are super easy to cook. You just wrap the cone with its filling in aluminum foil, toss it onto the campfire coals for about five minutes, then enjoy!
They are done once the marshmallows are gooey and melted!
Campfire Cinnamon Rolls
Did you know you can make cinnamon rolls on a campfire? All you need are skewers and a can of cinnamon rolls!
Basically, you stick a thawed-but-still-cold, premade cinnamon roll onto the skewer.
Make sure there’s about one or two inches of space at the end, to prevent them from sliding while they are cooking.
The whole thing should take roughly 10 minutes. Flip the cinnamon roll a few times, ensuring it cooks evenly on both sides.
Towards the end of cooking, the filling will start dripping, so keep an eye on the flames.
Campfire Apple Crisp Foil Packets
I don’t know about you, but warm apple desserts are my favorite way of warming up on a cold night.
These foil packets have apples topped with an oatmeal streusel and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
They are so easy to make and only take roughly 20 minutes to cook.
This is a bit more ingredient-heavy, though. In addition to apples, you need sugar, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, flour, quick oats, and any ice cream you may want to top it with.
The most complicated part is making the streusel; the rest is fairly easy.
To bake the apples, you just cut them in half, place them on a foil sheet, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon, put the streusel over the top, seal the foil packet, then put them over the coals for about 20 minutes.
You might be wondering which apples are best for this. Well, this recipe recommends hard, tart varieties – like Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Cortland, and Braeburn apples.
But you can use whichever apples you have on-hand. Crisp apples stand up better to high temperatures.
Campfire Cinnamon Twists
These cinnamon twists are a great option if you’re looking for a quick and simple treat.
Plus, they’re a fun variation on the campfire cinnamon rolls we mentioned above!
This recipe asks for just four ingredients: sugar, butter, refrigerated cinnamon rolls, and ground cinnamon.
Basically, all you have to do is separate the rolls, cut them into strips, and wrap them around skewers.
Then, you just cook these cinnamon twists over the campfire flames for about five minutes, and they’re a perfect campfire treat!
Tin Foil Monkey Bread
Who can say no to a delicious, pull-apart monkey bread? This particular recipe is made in foil and cooked on a grate for about 20 minutes or so.
Preparation doesn’t get any simpler than this. You cut biscuits into pieces and roll them into a sugar-cinnamon mix.
Then, you add those to a foil boat with small cubes of butter, sprinkle some brown sugar on top, seal the foil, bake them, and you’re done!
Campfire Dessert Pizza
Who says pizza has to be savory? Instead of cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperonis, why not use your favorite sweets?
To me, this sounds like the perfect dessert for any pizza lover. This recipe uses Nutella spread over a flour tortilla, and it’s topped with melted marshmallows, crunchy graham crackers, and Hershey’s chocolate.
It goes without saying that you can use any sweets you want.
Instead of a chocolate spread, you can try out jam or peanut butter, while toppings can range from caramel and M&Ms to fruits and nuts.
You can make this either by using a grate, or by placing a sheet of aluminum foil over hot coals. Both options work great!
Foil Packet Chocolate Cherry Cake
This recipe includes just two, shelf-stable ingredients: chocolate cake/brownie mix and cherry pie filling.
The idea is to stir the ingredients together and scoop the mixture onto the aluminum foil.
Then, you just place the foil packets onto hot coals and let them cook!
Alternatively, you can place them on the grill. Just make sure to flip the packets a couple of times to ensure even cooking.
Campfire Eclairs
Eclairs are another type of dessert you can cook over a campfire. They’re so fun and easy to make, and you can rest assured they’ll become a favorite.
The dough is made with premade crescent rolls that you wrap around a stick or thick skewer.
Instead of pastry cream, these campfire eclairs are filled with pudding. Now, I recommend making your pudding at home and bringing it to the campsite. It’s not a must, but it is definitely a time-saver.
If you want the ultimate time-saver, then just use premade pudding cups. No one is judging here.
You simply stick your crescent roll dough onto your skewer and bake it over the campfire until it no longer feels sticky or doughy.
Then, you fill the hole with your pudding, and enjoy!
Filling the eclairs with pudding can be quite messy. For that reason, we recommend using a squeeze bottle for transporting the pudding and filling.
Campfire Burritos
Don’t let the name fool you – this is a sweet dish. Basically, these are s’mores in a tortilla.
The idea is to fill a tortilla with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham crackers.
While the first two ingredients will melt and turn into an oozing deliciousness, the graham crackers balance each bite with their crunchy texture.
Fill your tortilla with your topping choices, wrap it like a burrito, wrap the whole thing in aluminum foil, and then put the whole thing on the hot coals.
It’s a hard-to-beat sweet snack!
Bailey’s Dipped Marshmallows
This one is for adults only because of the Bailey’s. But let me tell you, ever since I discovered it, I’ve never left for another camping trip without a bottle of Bailey’s in tow.
For this recipe, you only need two things: marshmallows and Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Then, all you have to do is toast the marshmallow over hot coals and then dip the warm marshmallow into a cup of Bailey’s.
I’m warning you. You’ll probably never want to eat toasted marshmallows any other way again.
For an even more decadent treat, use your Bailey’s-dipped marshmallows to make a s’more.
Now, that’s what I call the ultimate camping dessert!
No-Bake Delights
Here are several recipes you can make completely without heat!
No-Bake Rocky Road Bars
Love peanut butter and chocolate? Add just a few more ingredients and you can make these tasty no-bake Rocky Road bars.
These basically just call for butter, chocolate, peanut butter, Rice Krispies, and mini marshmallows.
Rice Krispies add crunch, while mini marshmallows bring some delicious chewiness to the table.
These truly are so easy because you just melt the chocolate and peanut butter, mix in the Krispies and marshmallows, spread them into a pan, then let them cool and harden!
You can make these bars at the campsite, or you can make them at home.
They can be kept in the cooler for about five days, so you can prepare them before the trip. It’d be great to have them ready when you start craving something sweet.
You can even freeze them in a container for up to three months. Just take them out the night before your camping trip to thaw.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This three-layer dessert strikes the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and tart.
Crushed salted pretzels create a perfect base for this treat. And what is easier than sprinkling pretzel bits on the bottom of a pan?
For the mid part, this recipe asks for Cool Whip, as it doesn’t soften the pretzels.
But you can use regular whipped cream mixed with cream cheese to achieve a similar consistency.
Finally, the dessert is topped with a layer of fresh strawberries and strawberry Jell-O. Yum!
Note: There are special instructions for making the Jell-O for this dessert, so we recommend following the recipe’s instructions closely!
No-Bake Mini Grasshopper Pies
Mint-flavored dessert lovers here? I can’t be the only one!
These mini grasshopper pies are the perfect no-bake treat to make for a camping trip.
And here’s a fun twist – make them in small jars. Why? Well, they look cute, and they’re so simple to serve. Do I need to say more?
The minty, whipped filling is made with mini marshmallows, milk, Creme de Menthe, and whipping cream.
While this recipe asks for Creme de Menthe, it’s definitely not a necessity. Instead, you can add a tablespoon of mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring to get that nice green hue.
The crust is made of Oreo cookies, which I’m sure all of your camping buddies will love.
Alternatively, you can use actual mint cookies to get that refreshing, cool flavor.
This dessert isn’t fully trail-friendly with the jars, but you can easily make this dessert in more transportable containers if you want.
No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes
Even though they don’t need baking, these mini cheesecakes are made in a muffin pan for the shape.
How does it work if they’re not baked, you might be wondering? Easy, just stick the pan in the fridge for about three hours, and the cheesecakes will be set.
Obviously, this means you should make them at home, but given they can last for a couple of days, that shouldn’t be a problem.
This recipe says toppings are optional, but I can’t imagine a cheesecake without them!
Naturally, you can go with whatever you like, be it fruit preserves, chocolate ganache, apple butter – you name it.
Grilled Desserts
Here are some of our favorite desserts you can make with a grill!
Grilled Peaches
If you never tried grilled peaches before, you’re in for a treat. The grill simply accentuates the natural sweetness of the fruit, while also adding a bit of smokiness to them.
All in all, this is a very sweet and juicy dessert!
And the best part – they only take around three minutes to grill.
You don’t want to leave them too long on the grates, as they might become mushy.
You can definitely eat them straight from the grill, but this recipe recommends some delicious toppings.
Toasted nuts, vanilla ice cream, and fresh herbs sound like a great combo, but don’t be afraid to try something else.
Campfire Peach Cobbler
I think all of my camping friends are tired of this dessert because of how often I make it. I can’t help it, it’s so simple yet delicious.
You just need a few ingredients for the breading and any kind of fruit filling you want.
Now, this recipe uses canned peaches but you can always resort to fresh or frozen ones if you prefer. I just find these much easier to bring on a camping trip.
Basically, you just combine all the ingredients, toss it into your dutch oven, and you’ve got a yummy, warm dessert!
Grilled Bananas
Who doesn’t like bananas? When grilled, they’re even tastier – especially when served with delicious toppings.
This particular recipe is pretty simple and asks for just three other ingredients aside from banana – butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
But you can top it with anything you want, like ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, chopped nuts, etc.
One tip: go with firm bananas. Ripe bananas are too soft, and they’ll turn gooey and sticky when placed on the grill. But don’t choose green ones; they will be bitter.
If your bananas are a bit softer than you’d like, slit the peel down the middle and grill them with the skin on.
This will prevent them from getting stuck to the grates and making a mess.
Pound Cake & Berry Campfire Skillet
For all fans of pound cake, here’s another simple-but-delicious recipe to try.
You’ll need a skillet for this recipe, which you’ll fill with pound cake cut into small cubes.
Once all sides are toasted, remove the skillet from the heat and add your choice of toppings.
In this case, those toppings are fresh berries and Rolo candy bars.
If you place a sheet of foil on top, it will help the topping warm up and melt a bit.
Grilled Shortcake Skewers
These shortcake skewers are easy to make and very versatile. Aside from pound cake and whipped cream, you’ll also need some fruits.
Technically, just about any fruit can go on the grill, as long as it’s not too ripe. It won’t hold the shape if it is.
But if I had to pick fruits that work best, I’d choose strawberries, peaches, plums, pears, or pineapples.
These fruits are rather firm and won’t make a sticky mess on the grates.
These are essentially just cut up pieces of cake and fruit that you skewer and cook on the grill. I don’t think it gets easier than that.
To top the skewers, this recipe recommends creating a syrupy sauce with strawberries and sugar.
S’mores Pizookie
If you haven’t heard of a pizookie, it’s a pizza-shaped cookie in a skillet, and if you ask me, it’s how cookies should be eaten all the time. Period.
A plain chocolate chip pizookie is great, but a s’mores stuffed chocolate chip pizookie like this one is a whole lot better.
The combination of two of the best classics out there – s’mores and chocolate chip cookies – makes for one of the best camping desserts you’ll ever have, I promise.
Leave it over the campfire until the edges are baked. You want the middle to stay gooey, soft, and delicious.
Also see: 7 Campfire Safety Tips: How to Stay Safe Around the Campfire
Creative Campfire Pies & Pastries
Woof Em’s Campfire Pie
Technically, these pies are like a larger version of campfire eclairs.
But what makes them different is the filling. For this recipe, you’ll need pudding and whipped cream.
If you find that too basic, try pie filling or fresh fruit instead.
As for the dough, this recipe asks for thawed Rhodes white dinner rolls, but you can go with biscuit dough if you prefer.
Pie Iron Nutella & Banana Biscuits
If you own a pie iron, this simple three-ingredient recipe should be on your must-do list.
If you don’t own one – get it for your next camping trip, as these biscuits are worth it!
The three ingredients you need for this recipe are Nutella, bananas, and biscuit dough.
I’d also recommend packing a non-stick spray, to avoid dough sticking to the pie iron.
This recipe recommends unlatching the pie iron after about two minutes to check for doneness before flipping it to the other side.
Campfire Cherry Hand Pies
Most people don’t have a pie iron on-hand while camping. Well, you don’t need one to make these delicious campfire cherry hand pies.
All you need is your faithful skillet. Plus, you only need four ingredients to make this delicious dessert: oil, premade pie crusts, cherry pie filling, and sugar.
You want about one or two inches of oil to make these. If you have less oil, the hand pies might stick to the bottom.
But don’t worry about that too much! After all, you’re on a camping trip, not at a pie competition, so who cares?
These are gooey, tart, flaky desserts you will love.
Camping Donuts
These campfire donuts are a piece of cake to make. All you need is biscuit dough, sugar, cinnamon, and a bit of oil for frying.
The idea is to cut prepackaged biscuits with scissors, toss them in the sugar-cinnamon mix, and fry them for a few minutes until they’re golden brown.
For this, I find that a cast iron pan works the best. Plus, it’s a versatile piece of cookware.
Camping Pies
Here’s yet another pie iron recipe you simply have to try. The basic idea is to make sweet-filled sandwiches in a pie iron.
You can fill them with peanut butter and chocolate chips, Nutella and strawberries, apple pie filling… You name it.
As for the bread, this recipe recommends using either a cinnamon swirl bread or a brioche loaf, but you can adjust to your wants.
These are super flexible and quick. If you want a treat to help your sweet tooth, these are fast fixes!
Dutch Oven Delights
Take a look at these delicious desserts you can make with your handy dutch oven!
Dutch Oven Three-Berry Cobbler
I guarantee that this three-berry cobbler will blow everyone’s mind at the campsite. It takes roughly an hour to make, during which everyone will be enjoying the sweet smell of berries coming from the dutch oven.
For this dessert, you should use frozen berries that have been thawed.
The name is a bit misleading because in addition to strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, the recipe also asks for a bag of mixed berries.
But hey, I don’t mind a good mix – it strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness.
Other than the berries, this recipe only needs some biscuit dough, flour, sugar, lemon zest, and brown sugar.
I guarantee this is one everyone will love!
Campfire Baked Apples
Apples, butter, oats, and sugar – these are all the ingredients you need to make these delicious baked apples in your dutch oven.
I don’t know about you, but this recipe definitely reminds me of my childhood, as that’s what my mom would make for us kids.
With that being said, this is a treat that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age!
Now, while this dish is excellent to make in a dutch oven, you can also make it in foil if you’re making just a few (which we’ve detailed above!).
All the ingredients you need are apples, rolled oats, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and a little salt.
You simply combine the dry ingredients and butter to make the filling, stuff some cored apples with it, then bake them!
Campfire Brownies
Everyone loves brownies, and everyone has their favorite kind of brownies. For the most part, brownies are great on their own, but you can spice them up by adding ingredients and toppings.
For that reason, I’m not going to tell you what toppings to use here. This recipe uses store-bought brownie mix, and you’re in charge of what else to add.
My personal favorite additions are dark chocolate chips, as they give the brownies a deeper flavor.
If you want a slightly sweeter experience, white chocolate chips are a good alternative.
Unique Skillet Treats
S’mores Nachos
S’mores nachos are one of my favorite treats! And no, you’re not actually using nacho chips for dipping, but graham crackers.
As the name suggests, it involves mini marshmallows and chocolate chips. Of course, you can add whatever you want. There are no rules!
As to how to make these s’mores nachos, there are several options available. I prefer making them in a cast iron skillet, but you can use foil or foil pan just as well.
Just simply layer chocolate, marshmallows, and some of your favorite toppings onto broken up graham crackers and let it get all gooey and delicious!
Caramel Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwich
To be frank, I was a bit skeptical regarding the combination of apples, caramel, bacon, and cheese.
But the first time I tried these grilled sandwiches, I was in love! This is the perfect combination of tart, sweet, and savory flavors.
Making these sandwiches is pretty straightforward: place the toppings in between two pieces of bread, then place them on the grill.
Of course, don’t forget to flip the sandwiches halfway, so both sides are evenly cooked. They’re done once the bread looks toasted and the cheese is melted!
Keep in mind that apple slices may pop out of the sandwich when you start eating it, so keep napkins close.
Walking Banana Pudding
This walking banana pudding dessert is the perfect snack for those who are on-the-go.
Pudding, vanilla wafers, whipped cream, and sliced bananas – who would say no to that?
Technically, you can use whichever pudding you prefer. But I highly recommend using banana cream pudding, as it has that strong banana flavor.
As for the whipped cream, you can make your own, but that’s simply too much work at the campsite.
In this case, I prefer going with store-bought whipped cream. Basically, you’re making banana pudding inside the bag of vanilla wafers.
Hand anyone who wants a bite the whole bag and a spoon, and it is the perfect, mess-free, portable sweet treat!
Campfire Turtle Pudgy Pie
A campfire version of the yummy Turtles candy, this pie is both delicious and easy to make at a campsite.
For this recipe, you’ll need your precious pie iron. Aside from regular crescent roll dough, you’ll need a few other ingredients for the filling: chewy caramel candies, chocolate chips, and pecans.
You can also add marshmallows for a softer texture. Then, you have a wonderful, warm, nutty, chocolatey dessert!
Tips & Tricks For Camping Desserts
Many find making dessert at the campsite difficult and intimidating. That’s quite a shame, given that the truth is far from it.
There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking in the wilderness, of course. But that’s why we’re here!
Let’s go over a few things to know about making dessert while camping.
Planning Ahead
When you’re camping – even at the most commercial campsites – the nearest grocery store is likely many miles away.
So, you can’t simply pick a recipe the day-of, run to the store for the supplies, and make whatever you feel like eating.
You need to plan your meals, including desserts, in advance.
Having a plan in place means you know what you need, so you won’t pack ingredients and equipment you might not end up using.
When planning, think minimally. As you might have noticed, many recipes on our list share common ingredients and equipment.
For example, many of these recipes involve chocolate and apples. This means you can make different desserts using those two ingredients.
Likewise, several treats require a pie iron, so bringing this tool on your camping trip means you can make different types of pie each day.
Also see: The 6 Best Campfire Cooking Kits (To Make GREAT Campfire Meals)
Considering Convenience & Storage
An ice cream cake sounds like a lovely dessert, but it’s not very practical for camping. Even with a huge cooler filled with ice to the brim, it will likely melt.
When figuring out what sweet dish to make on your camping trip, you need to keep storage in mind.
Luckily, many recipes on our list contain shelf-stable ingredients, so you don’t have to keep them in the cooler.
Think chocolate chips (unless it’s over 100° outside), fruit, or marshmallows.
Utilizing Campfires, Grills, & Dutch Ovens
While an oven is your best friend when it comes to making desserts at home, campfires, grills, and dutch ovens are the way to go when camping.
Trust me, you can make pretty much anything you want on them. For larger groups, a dutch oven is an amazing cooking pot to have.
Grills are not just for meat and veggies. You can also grill fruit like bananas or peaches, or even place foil packets on the grates for quick cooking.
Finally, campfires are great both for foil packets and skewers.
Read: Can You Put Stainless Steel On Open Fire?
Practicing Fire Safety & Proper Food Handling
Cooking over an open fire is not rocket science, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First off, make sure to have a spray bottle filled with water close at hand.
That way, you can deal with flare-ups, thus preventing your food from getting burned.
You should also make sure to have the right tools for the job. You don’t want to get to the campsite only to realize you don’t have tongs packed.
Without them, there’s no way you can place or remove foil packets from hot coals without burning yourself.
Speaking of food handling, it’s worth reminding to pack all food scraps with you.
You don’t want to attract wildlife to your campsite, as that can be a dangerous situation for both you and them.
Adding Festive Touches
I get it – camping desserts are supposed to be simple and easy to make. But who’s to say they can’t have a nice, festive presentation?
Of course, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about your cobbler looking a bit messy when served on the plate.
But a dash of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce can make it look like something you ordered at your favorite dessert shop.
FAQs
What Dessert Can You Cook Over The Fire?
Most desserts from our list can be cooked over the fire. While turtle pudgy pie and cinnamon twists, for instance, are cooked over open flames, foil-packed desserts are placed onto hot coals.
But most of the recipes we’ve detailed above can be made using the heat generated from your campfire.
Can I Make These Desserts Ahead Of Time And store Them For Later Consumption?
Some desserts, like most no-bake delights, can be made in advance.
In fact, we recommend you make them at home and bring them on your camping trip.
Are There Any Alternative Cooking Methods If A Campfire Is Not Available?
There are many ways you can make treats without a campfire.
As long as you have a source of heat, like a grill or gas camping stove, you can use a skillet or dutch oven to make your desserts.
If these are not options for you, then many dessert recipes require no heat at all – like many no-bake treats listed above.
How Can I Ensure Proper Food Storage To Prevent Melting Or Spoilage?
Certain ingredients, like pound cake and non-ripe fruit, can be stored at room temperature.
Focusing your recipes to use dominantly shelf-stable ingredients is key to not spoiling your desserts.
If you want to involve desserts with dairy, though, then it is best to utilize a cooler with plenty of ice for storing the dessert or ingredients.
I also recommend doing these recipes first if you have a multi-day stay to lessen the chances of the ingredients spoiling before you get to them.
Read: Camping Storage Ideas (18 Tips to Get Organized In No Time)
How Can I Involve Kids In Preparing Camping Desserts?
The best way to involve your kids in making camping desserts is by delegating some steps to them.
Playing with dough is always fun for little ones, but you can also let them do tasks like decorating the dessert.
Anything not involving the heat is a great option for involving your kids. They can mix, measure, and assemble just as good as the rest of us!
Also see: 15 Tips for Camping with Kids
Are There Any Campfire Safety Tips Specifically Related To Making Desserts?
When making camping desserts, never get them too close to the fire. While many ingredients are intended to melt, the flames will actually burn them and they’ll be inedible.
Sugar is easily flammable, so if you’re not careful, they can easily catch and spread a fire.
To Sum Things Up
What’s better after a long day of outdoor activities than a delicious campfire dessert?
Whatever your pleasure might be, this list has something for you. From pies and cobblers to roasted fruits and skewered treats, we hope you can find a recipe that you’ll enjoy here.
Happy eating!
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