Skipping breakfast is never a good idea, especially if you’re traveling or camping – there is a reason for the many bed and breakfast businesses out there. If you plan on spending some time in the great outdoors you’ll surely need some camping breakfast ideas, and we have just that! Perhaps parents and first time campers will make the most use of this presentation, however even seasoned people need a change or some help at times.
There are four main things this article will help you with: packing, saving money, time, and being creative. These recipes are easy to make, delicious, and can also be tried out when you’re at home as well.
See also: Best Camp Toaster: Reviewing the Best Outdoor Toasters Money Can Buy
Remember that if you want to eat eggs, you might want to bring them already boiled, as raw eggs are very fragile.
Why prepare your breakfast beforehand?
Camping is an activity that brings a family closer together, however the meals or their lack can ruin this getaway. Having a few recipes ready will ensure your time with your loved ones will be more pleasant.
There quite a few reasons for you to want to plan out what you’ll eat ahead of time.
Saving some time
Knowing exactly what you’ll eat and when can surely save you some time. Not only you can perform half of the cooking process at home, but it will also help you be more efficient with your time. For instance you’ll know how long it takes to cook the dishes, and when you have to start their preparation.
Make sure you’re not very strict about your planning because the others might not like to feel like they joined the army. Spending time in the great outdoors is supposed to be fun, and not stressful. Sticking to much to a schedule, including one related to eating, can create unwanted tensions. For tips on how to prepare no-cook camping meals, see our article to find out more.
You’ll have all the ingredients
There is nothing more annoying than wanting to eat something and not having some specific ingredient for it. Having enough ideas for all the days spend out there will ensure you’ll also buy enough groceries to make them all.
This is extremely useful when camping in a place that is far from stores, or that for some reason might not have something you need. What’s more, is that you will also know exactly what the meals contain to avoid any uncomfortable situation because of some dietary restrictions.
For a more memorable camping experience
Everyone goes camping to relax, have some fun, and create some special memories with their loved ones. You can improve your time together by having some meals already prepared or planned ahead of time. Some dishes simply taste different depending on the type of heat used to prepare them and they will carry a special meaning in everyone’s memories.
Selecting meals that are easier to prepare, or that are half way done at home means you can have the kids helping you out. This activity will only strengthen the bonds and improve the memories related to specific foods. These memories might not always be pleasant, especially if you under or overcook it. At the time, this will be quite upsetting, however in the future you could think back to those times and actually smile.
To learn what your companions want to eat
Planning your meals for your camping adventure is not enough if those coming with you won’t like what they’re being served. To make things easier for everyone, and to ensure their happiness, consult them on what they would like to have on their plates. Some might want a more complicated meal and they might even offer to help preparing it.
Camping near a lake or a river could mean you’ll be going fishing as well. Having a few fish recipes handy could give the impression you’re dining at a fancy restaurant instead. Don’t forget to bring the extra ingredients for this scenario.
You’ll be saving some money
Depending on where you live or where you go camping, eating out can be really expensive, while the food might not be the best. Everyone can agree that buying the produce and cooking it yourself is cheaper and usually more delicious too. One shouldn’t forget that this way, you’ll be able to prepare more food. For the amount of money spend on a meal at a restaurant, you could instead feed 3 or 4 mouths when cooking for yourself.
Maybe you won’t feel you’re saving a lot on food this way, but you’ll realize you could be spending that money on something else that can be more fun. Another way to save money on food is to find out what fruits and vegetables are in season – they will cost less and the meals will be more delicious too.
That was surely more than enough talking, or reading. The real ideas for a nice breakfast follow below, and they include instructions on how to obtain the dish as well. As a side note, these camping breakfast recipes can generally be prepared for dinner as well.
Some Delicious and Easy to Make Breakfast Recipes
Campfire quiche
You’ll most likely find this recipe on several other sites, but this can only mean one thing: it really is that good. This recipes will yield 2 quiches, so adjust the quantities accordingly for as many you need. You’ll need 2 pie crusts, 6 eggs, 2 cups of shredded cheese, 1 cup and a third of milk, as well as some fillings you like the most.
Make sure your fillings are all chopped or cut into bite size pieces. Your crust can be homemade from scratch and kept cool, or you can buy it. Here it all comes down to how much effort you want to put into cooking. You’ll also need some special tools and to ensure you have your fire started already, but not big flames.
Make sure you have a good layer of coals in there as well. The needed tools are stoneware pie plates, Dutch ovens, iron trivets – all in pairs, an iron scoop, and heat resistant gloves. It’s time to get your hands dirty and the first step is to place your crusts in the pie plates.
In a large bowl beat together your eggs and milk, then add your fillings. Now pour the mixture evenly between the pie crusts. Place the Dutch ovens near the fire, your trivets in the ovens, then the quiche plates on top. Cover them with their lids and put some coals over the lids.
This needs to cook for about an hour depending on how much heat there is. The filling must be set and the edges of the pie should be light brown. During the cooking time, make sure to carefully turn the ovens around a bit: you want an even temperature inside. The coals that cooled down must also be replaced. When removing the lids or touching the ovens, you must wear your gloves. Cut into slices and enjoy when it’s done.
Super easy smoked salmon burrito
There are many people out there who like burritos and salmon is a really good choice as breakfast food. This dish can be prepared with other types of meat or can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner as well. If you don’t like to eat meat, maybe you can completely forget about it and try some other type of filling.
For this 4 servings recipe you’ll need 1 spoon of vegetable oil, 2 spoons of milk, 8 bigger eggs, half teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 spoons of chopped chives, 2 sliced jalapenos, 1 cup of diced tomatoes, 8 ounces of smoked salmon, half cup of cream cheese, and 4 tortillas. You can use kosher salt and some salsa, if you like. Make sure you have a cast iron skillet or a frying pan as well.
Make sure to arm up your tortillas, to remove the seeds from your jalapenos and to cut your salmon, or meat, into bite size pieces. Heat up your oil in the skillet and add your milk and eggs. Scramble them and let cook for a few minutes, until half way done. At this point add your ingredients, except for the cream cheese, tortillas, and salsa, and let cook until done.
Cover each tortilla with 2 spoons of softened cream cheese and then evenly spread the warm egg mix on top. Pay attention to how you spread the mix, because you want to be able to roll your tortillas and tuck the ends in. sprinkle some salsa over and enjoy them! Of course, you can completely prepare these at home and then just warm them up on site, when you want to eat them.
Lumberjack – good for a hike
The name doesn’t sound like much, but it will surely pack some extra energy if you want to go hiking afterwards. To prepare it you’ll need some sausages or bacon, preferably Canadian bacon, some frozen hash browns, diced cooked potatoes, some eggs, some shredded cheese, chopped onions and tomatoes. Leftover cooked potatoes are ideal and you can use any type of cheese as well.
You can forget the onions, meat, or tomatoes, if you really dislike them. You’ll also need some tin foil, as the dish gets prepared in it. Make sure to have large enough tin foil pieces, and use a double layer. The layer on which you place the ingredients should be sprayed with some cooking oil.
First lay the meat, to ensure it gets cooked well and add the rest of the ingredients on top, but not the cheese. Wrap the tin foil around your ingredients, as much as you can and place it on a heated barbecue for about 15 minutes until the meat cooks.
When it’s done, open the foil and sprinkle everything with cheese. Close it back, and let cook for a couple more minutes so that the cheese will melt. Now you can open it up and enjoy, but be careful as it is still very hot. Of course, adding some sauces, or replacing some of the ingredients it’s all up to you, but be sure this will be a success.
Bacon and eggs – in a lunch paper bag
While the name may sound odd, the idea might be one of the most ingenious on this list, especially since you don’t need a pan. This recipe feeds one person, so increase the quantities accordingly if there are more mouths present. You’ll need 2 strips of fatty bacon, 1 egg, salt, pepper, your preferred sauce, the paper bag and a stick. Make sure you have a plate near you as well.
You first fold the opening of the bag twice, and cut a hole big enough for your stick to go through. Now, cut the strips in half and place them at the bottom of your paper bag. Crack the egg on top, and season it with salt and pepper. Close the bag, hang it on the stick above the fire to allow everything to cook. Make sure you’re not too close to the fire or it will catch fire.
Cooking it on the grill directly, on low heat or fire means you don’t have to use the stick. You’ll also be able to easier check the egg to see when it is done. When it’s cooked, place the bag on the plate, open it enough to allow you to eat directly from it. You can drizzle it with your favorite sauce at this point, and enjoy before it gets cold.
Toad in the Hole, anyone?
You’ll need 10 ingredients for this American style British dish: half cup yellow cornmeal, half cup all purpose flour, 1 spoon caster sugar, 3/4 of a teaspoon of fine salt, half teaspoon of baking powder, a cup of whole milk, 2 large eggs, a quarter of an unsalted stick butter, 14 uncooked sausages for breakfast, 3 spoons of maple syrup.
Some of these ingredients can cause allergies, therefore you can try to substitute them with others that are safe for you or your family to eat. You’ll also need a cast iron pan to cook everything in, over a campfire. To save some time, you can half prepare the batter at home and finish cooking it the next day.
In a large bowl you need to mix together all the dry ingredients, preferably with a whisk. Then add the eggs and the milk and mix well. Place your cast iron over a camping stove set at a medium temperature (350°F to 450°F) and let it warm up for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a water drop disappears within seconds.
Now, melt the butter in the pan, and cook the sausages for some 12 minutes. Remove them to a plate, recombine the batter, and pour it in the skillet. Place the sausages evenly on top, and drizzle the measured syrup. Cover with a tin foil and let cook for some 15 to 20 minutes, to be well done. Cut into wedges and serve with some extra maple syrup.
Hot cocoa – a classic camping drink
While you have quite a choice of breakfast foods to indulge in, you sometimes need some liquid to help it down. Hot cocoa will surely make everyone happy and is a guilty pleasure you can enjoy from time to time. The best thing about this drink is that you can prepare half of it at home, and finish on site, whenever you feel like drinking something warm. This recipe is for 12 servings, and you’ll need at least a quart jar to store the mixture.
You’ll need 1 cup of caster sugar, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa, 1 cup of powder milk, half teaspoon salt, half cup of chocolate chips and half cup of mini marshmallows. All you have to do is to layer your ingredients in your jar and close it tightly. Bring the jar during your camping trip and when you want a cup of hot cocoa just take a cup, fill a third of it with your mixture, add hot water and mix.
We’re almost certain that if you like drinking something hot from time to time, you’ll be saving this easy recipe, while refilling that container when needed. For more options such as dehydrated food recipes, check out our earlier article for reference.
Some final considerations
And here is where we reach the end of our guide. We tried to give you several recipes so that you can have more options to choose from. We strongly suggest you give them a try before heading out, to find out the cooking time and if everyone likes them.
You should know by now that most of them allow for some ingredients to be swapped or completely removed. Adding some extras will surely hurt nobody. Make sure you have the best soft sided cooler to ensure freshness and safety for your food.
Featured Image Source: “Greek Blooger Camp Food” by Titanas is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/96437548@N00/530491588
