24 Camping Breakfast Ideas
Updated: Nov. 17, 2023
Time to start the fire! These camping breakfast ideas are the perfect way to begin your day in the outdoors.
Growing up, I spent a few weeks each summer camping in the Kettle Moraine, a stunning part of the Wisconsin wilderness. While I have to admit that after-dinner s’mores were my favorite, I did enjoy cooking up camping breakfast ideas with my dad before the rest of our crew emerged from their tents.
During these early mornings, I learned some essential skills like how to scramble eggs and how to start a charcoal grill (yep, we’d make breakfasts on the camp stove and grill).
I also learned what makes a good camping breakfast. Over the years, I gleaned that the Froot Loops I packed weren’t quite enough; you want a good meal with plenty of protein so you can stay energized for hiking, swimming and exploring. Check out some of my favorite campsite-friendly breakfasts below!
Blueberry-Cinnamon Campfire Bread
This has to be one of the best camping recipes and most delicious camping breakfast ideas. Layer slices of cinnamon bread onto a large sheet of aluminum foil. Then add in nuts, blueberries and an egg mix. All that’s left is to wrap it all up and let it cook over the fire. The end result is so warm and comforting. It’s worth leaving your cozy sleeping bag for!
Cast-Iron Scrambled Eggs
It might be heavy, but a cast-iron skillet is the ideal piece of campsite cookware (be sure to add it to your camping checklist. These sturdy skillets hold up to the intense heat of campfire flames and work equally well on your camp stove.To keep the eggs from sticking, make sure you add a good pat of butter to the pan.
Campfire Cheese Hash Brown Packets
A roll of aluminum foil is a must-have in your duffle bag. Load up a foil packet with potatoes, bacon, cheese and eggs to make a simple hash right over the fire. If you want more flavor, reach into the cooler for some hot sauce or salsa.
Pancake and Waffle Mix
Prep homemade pancake mix before you head to the great outdoors. This way when you’re craving some flapjacks at the campsite, it’s as easy as adding a little water, eggs and a splash of oil—no measuring messy dry ingredients!Don’t forget to pack some good maple syrup in the cooler.
Egg Burritos
When it comes to camping breakfast ideas, you can’t do much better than a breakfast burrito. Scramble some eggs and roll them up inside a warm tortilla with your favorite extras like bacon, cheese and salsa. A breakfast like this can be eaten without plates so you don’t have to do so many dishes—always a win at the campsite.And if you really want to level up, prep these burritos at home, freeze them and then reheat them over the fire or grill.
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Overnight oats of all kinds are the ideal camping breakfast. Prep them the night before, stash them in the cooler and enjoy them while your coffee percolates over the fire.
Campfire Hash
A hearty breakfast hash is just what you need before a big day of hiking, fishing and exploring the wilderness. This recipe calls for a can of corn and a can of chiles so you can save cooler space. Don’t forget your can opener!
French Toast Sticks
Make cleanup a little easier and skip the forks and knives! These French toast sticks are griddled up the traditional way but sliced into sticks ideal for dipping into syrup (or even coffee).
Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon & Eggs
A camping Dutch oven is another must to pack in your camp kit. You’ll want a larger vessel like this to layer in hash brown potatoes, bacon and plenty of eggs for a hearty outdoor breakfast.
Egg-Topped Avocado Toast
Sometimes camping breakfast ideas are the same breakfast ideas you have at home. You can toast up bread over the fire or on the camp stove. Then smash an avocado over top. Add an egg and any extras for a filling breakfast that’ll keep you fueled as you chop wood.
Great Granola
One of the easiest camping breakfast ideas is to bring eats you already prepped at home. Scratch-made granola is a great camping breakfast when served with a little yogurt. The best part is that you can customize this recipe to suit your tastes. Try different dried fruits and nuts for every trip.
Veggie Frittata
A frittata might sound fancy, but it’s one of the best camping breakfast ideas you can make fireside. A frittata is essentially a crust-less quiche. Just scramble together eggs, some herbs and plenty of veggies and you’ve got a starter that’ll fuel you through your hike.
Dried Fruit Energy Bars
Spend the day before your camping trip prepping some easy grab-and-go breakfasts. These dried fruit energy bars are packed with ingredients such as chia seeds, quinoa and oats, which will keep you fueled throughout the day.
Fluffy Pancakes
Fire up your camping stove and flip a few flapjacks. This small batch makes about eight pancakes so you won’t have leftovers.
Foil-Packet Potatoes and Sausage
Need versatile meals to make over the campfire? This recipe is a great place to start. For breakfast, you can load up these foil packets with potatoes and breakfast sausage; you can even crack an egg inside when the cooking time is almost up! For dinner, try slices of kielbasa inside with some extra veggies.
Salsa Shakshuka with Avocados
This easy shakshuka starts with a jar of salsa and can be made right in your cast-iron skillet. This helps you cut down on gear and the ingredients you have to haul.
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
This recipe for apple cinnamon overnight oats couldn’t be easier to make. Tackle the quick prep the night before while you tell ghost stories around the campfire.
Egg & Spinach Breakfast Burritos
Add some color to your plate by stirring a heap of spinach into scrambled eggs. Wrap this mix in a tortilla for easy breakfast burritos around the fire.
Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies
Use up those ripe bananas before you hit the road. These cookies are filling and packed with flavor—perfect for snacking on while you hit the trails.
Grilled Hash Browns
Don’t skimp on the sides while you’re camping. These hash browns can be made in a foil packet or foil pan over the fire while you fry a few eggs over the camp stove.
Campfire Cinnamon Twists
Craving something sweet around the fire? Grab your favorite can of refrigerated cinnamon rolls. To make these cinnamon twists, roll each bun into ropes and wrap it around a skewer. For a little extra, brush with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after toasting them.
Toad in the Hole Bacon Sandwich
Are you the campsite early bird? Switch up the classic breakfast sammie with this toad-in-the-hole variety. It may look a little over the top, but if you’ve got eggs and bread on hand, you can make this easy. To cut the circle, use what you have in your gear; try a cup or even break out your camping knife.
Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Before you hitch up the trailer, spend a little time prepping these homemade breakfast bars at home. Camping breakfast ideas that allow you to grab and go are always a plus when you have a busy schedule of outdoor activities.
Camper’s Breakfast Hash
Made with 12 eggs, this is a great camping recipe for a crowd. Filled with hearty ingredients like sausage, peppers and cheese, you’ll be able to keep your entire crew fed and happy.Originally Published: March 31, 2023
