As the season changes, so do our camping habits. We trade lakeside campsites to pitch our tent in the foliage and swap our sandals for wool socks and camping mocs. In the dog days of summer, my camp cooking habits consisted of slapping together a PB and J or grilling hot dogs over the fire. As the days get shorter, and we spend more time around the campfire, I get inspired to up my camp cooking game with seasonal flavors. Luckily our friend Megan who runs the camp cooking blog, Fresh Off the Grid, sent us some recipes that will get your mouth watering and give you a hankering for hearty bowls of chili and Vermont cheddar cheese. Check out these fall camping recipes for inspiration that will have you prepping for the campsite mid-week!
Fall camp cooking is all about comfort food. This is a great season for open fire cooking and dutch ovens so you can stay warm as you prepare your meal. Stay seasonal with harvest foods like squash, beans, and apples.
Apple Cheddar Burgers
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Give your classic barbeque an autumnal touch by adding shredded apples, caramelized onions, and melting some sharp Vermont cheddar on top. See the full recipe here.
Baked Sweet Potatoes and Chili
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Ditch the bowl and enjoy your chili in a fire-roasted sweet potato this fall. This fall camping recipe is great for those that like to go the extra mile and make a multi-step meal at the campsite while hanging around the fire. See the full recipe here.
Chili Mac
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This heart chili will be sure to satisfy even the most ravenous hikers! This combination of two classics takes only a little prep and 15 minutes to cook, making it ideal for a post hiking meal. See the full recipe here.
Dutch Oven Chili
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Perfect for car camping, this dutch oven chili allows you to bake the cornbread right on top, making this a one-pot wonder! While it doesn’t take much prep, coking over a fire can vary cook times so make sure to start this fall camping recipe early. Take your time and cook this as you hang around the campfire with a pumpkin brew or crisp cider. See the full recipe here.
Pie Iron Toasties
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Perfect after those long days of hiking and adventuring, these pie iron toasties take about 5 minutes to assemble and another 5 or less to cook over the campfire. Inspired by the classic British snack of beans on toasts these warm and dense sandwiches will seriously hit the spot! A simple comfort food recipe that could be assembled from the leftovers in your cooler, these bean and cheese toasties are a great recipe to keep in your back pocket!
See the full pie iron recipe here.
