Witter's Ultimate Camping Recipes

Is there anything better than a family meal cooked around the campfire after a long day? It's not often that you get to strike a match, cook over wood and have so many fun elements contributing to making a meal a success.

To help you plan your tasty camping adventures, it is our pleasure to introduce The Ultimate Camping Cookbook. Crafted with the help of the Witter team and three of the finest camping bloggers, we've pulled together 21 delicious campfire recipes, each of which has been tried and tested by one of the people involved. These easy camping recipes will give you inspiration for breakfast, lunch and dinner so you can cook up a storm around the campfire.

All you need is some basic cooking equipment such as a frying pan or dutch oven, tin foil, a stove, wooden spoons or spatulas and a sense of adventure. And of course, don't forget staple ingredients such as oil, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise and your favourite herbs and spices for that extra burst of flavour.

Find each of the recipes below, perfect for camping in the UK, or download our ultimate camping eBook here.

Our Favourite Camping Recipes

1. Cheese and Tomato Pita Pizza
2. BBQ Noodle Tortilla
3. Ham and Cheese Potato Patties
4. Hot Turkey Pasta
5. Chorizo Couscous
6. Caramel Banana Heaven
7. Spaghetti Puttanesca
8. Simple Thai Green Curry Noodles
9. Corned Beef Bean Pie
10. Merlot Garlic Mushrooms on Toasted Bread
11. Zesty Lemon Pasta
12. Mango Pasta Salad
13. Beer Battered Green Beans
14. Farmer's Market Quesadillas
15. Cheaters Classic Swedish Meatballs
16. Honey & Pepper Braised Radishes - Agata from Bark Time
17. Campfire Donuts Recipe - Sarah from Must Have Mom Blog
18. Simple Hobo Hot Wraps
19. Red Lentil Curry Soup
20. Campsite Chilli Cheese Fries
21. Jammy Camping Doughnuts - Emma at Bubba Blue and Me

1. Cheese and Tomato Pita Pizza

Is it possible to finally create a delicious pizza when camping? Well, unless you have a stone pizza oven to hand or Dominoes have a premium delivery option, then you'll probably need to get creative. If you do get a pizza craving in the outdoors then you will love this Pita Pizza. Simple to make with only a few ingredients, this meal will soon be a camping favourite.

The What:

2 pita breads

Tomato purée

200g mature cheese

Water

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Slice open each pita bread and spread approximately ½ tbsp. of tomato purée on each side.

2. Slice (or grate) your cheese evenly across the two pita breads.

3. Place the pita bread into the heated pan toasting for one minute on each side.

4. After two minutes pour a small amount water into the pan (just enough to cover the base of the pan).

5. Place the lid over the pan and leave for a further two minutes or until the water has completely evaporated.

Enjoy.

Added notes

This meal works well with a range of different ingredients of your own choice. Add onions, pepperoni or any other ready-to-eat pizza ingredients for a delicious meal every time.

2. BBQ Noodle Tortilla

Simple to transport, super cheap and easy to cook; nothing quite says camping food like a crumpled packet of noodles. But after years of eating noodles in the outdoors, it can get a tad boring. Spice up your life with this delicious BBQ treat.

The What:

1 packet of dried noodles

1 can of tinned tuna

BBQ sauce

2 tortilla wraps

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Boil the dried noodles until cooked and tender. Drain away the water (water can be

saved for drinking water or a soup if the noodles are flavoured).

2. Place the pan back over the stove with the noodles. Add the tuna and stir in the desired amount of BBQ sauce (your individual preference). Heat until warm.

3. Sprinkle a small amount of water over the tortilla wraps and place the lid over the pan.

4. Wait until the tortilla wraps are warm then serve your noodles wrapped inside the tortilla wraps.

Enjoy.

Added notes

For added taste place some sliced cheese inside the wraps at your own leisure. Or swap the bbq sauce out in favour of some Thai sweet chilli or hot sauce.

3. Ham and Cheese Potato Patties

If the French got one thing right in their thousand-year existence, then it would have to be the ingenious idea of putting ham and cheese together. Add an element of French flair to your camping trip with this melt in your mouth Ham and Cheese patty.

The What:

1 packet of instant mash

Vegetable Oil

Flour

1 packet of pre-cooked ham

200g mature cheese

Water

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Prepare the instant mash following the guidelines from the packet

2. Using a pair of scissors, slice the ham into small strips and add to the mash potato mix.

3. Slice the cheese into small chunks.

4. Add the cheese and flour to the ham and mashed potato mixture. Mix together and create six small patties.

5. Add oil to pan and heat for two minutes.

6. When the pan is hot, fry the patties until they are golden brown.

Enjoy.

Added notes

This dish can be as creative as you wish. Add spices, different meats, cheeses or vegetables to the mash and create your own unique pattie. Simple, different and delicious every time!

4. Hot Turkey Pasta

When the weather is crisp and cold (let's face it, that could be summer or winter depending on your location) you will need a spicy meal to warm you up. Using your favourite hot sauce, this dish is as simple as it is tasty. Vary this dish with your own choice of cooked meat also!

The What:

1 packet of cooked cut cold turkey

1 can of sweetcorn

300g of pasta

Vegetable oil

Water

Hot sauce

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Boil the pasta until cooked and tender. Drain away the water and place the pasta to one side.

2. Add oil to the pan and heat for two minutes.

3. When the pan is hot, add the turkey and sweetcorn. Stir fry for 2 minutes.

4. Stir in your desired amount of hot sauce. Continue to stir fry 2 minutes.

5. Add the pasta and stir the ingredients together until they are well mixed.

6. Add a little more hot sauce to coat all the pasta and heat for a further 2 minutes.

Enjoy

Added notes

This meal works well with a selection of sauces. You can use oyster sauce as a sweet alternative to the hot sauce.

5. Chorizo Couscous

Everyone knows how good couscous is, right? Packed full of energy and a really tasty treat, couscous is the ultimate camping food. Bring to boil with chicken stock and throw in sliced chorizo to have a proper camping meal.

The What:

1 chicken stock cube

1 packet of couscous

1 packet of sliced chorizo

Water

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Add the couscous and water to the pan with a two-part couscous to one-part water ratio. Bring the pan to the boil and then simmer.

2. Add the chicken stock cube to the pan and stir thoroughly. Leave to simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Add the sliced chorizo to the pan. Once all the ingredients are in the pan it should take 10 minutes for the water to be fully absorbed by the couscous.

4. When the water is fully absorbed you should be ready to serve.

Enjoy.

Added notes

This dish can also be enjoyed with a range of additional ingredients, such as peas or carrots, to bulk it up or to increase your intake of vegetables. In the recipe above we have gone for simplicity at its best.

6. Caramel Banana Heaven

A dessert in the woods that is not just a leftover Snickers bar? Is it really possible? Well, with this caramel and banana dish you may just find yourself in dessert heaven. Plus, you don't need to worry about bashing up the banana.

The What:

1 banana

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. vanilla flavouring

3 wonton skins

Caramel sauce

Vegetable oil

Pan with lid

The How:

1. Go crazy and mash the banana in a small bowl until it resembles complete mush.

2. When the banana is complete mush add the cinnamon and vanilla flavouring to the bowl. Mix together thoroughly.

3. Take your wonton skins and carefully roll up a generous serving of your banana mix into each one.

4. Ensuring the wonton skins are tightly sealed, fry the wraps in a tbsp of oil until golden brown.

5. Serve the wonton wraps with your desired amount of caramel sauce.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Wonton wraps are frequently used as an easy way to make ravioli. Finding them in any large supermarket should not be a problem or you can use filo pastry as an alternative.

7. Spaghetti Puttanesca

For something a bit out of the ordinary try this camping twist on an Italian classic. A simple and flexible dish that can be adapted to your taste.

The What:

300g spaghetti pasta

2 chopped garlic cloves

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp. capers, chopped if large

75g pitted green olives, sliced

1 tsp. dried chilli flakes

1 Pan

The How:

1. Boil the pasta until cooked and tender. Drain away the water and place the pasta to one side.

2. Add the oil to the pan and heat for two minutes.

3. When the pan is hot add the garlic, chopped tomatoes, capers and olives. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Add spaghetti into the pan, mix well and leave to simmer for a further two minutes.

Enjoy

Added notes

Go crazy with extra ingredients. Add cooked meats like chorizo or chicken for an extra portion of protein.

8. Simple Thai Green Curry Noodles

If you can't resist a Thai takeaway at the weekend then you will love this simple twist on the Thai classic. Taking approximately 10 minutes to go from prep to mouth, this dish is as quick as it is tasty.

The What:

1 packet of rice noodles

Thai green curry paste

1 packet of cooked meat of your choice

200ml coconut milk

1 pan

Vegetable oil

The How:

1. Boil the dried noodles until cooked and tender. Drain away the water (water can be saved for drinking water or a soup if the noodles are flavoured). Place the noodles to one side.

2. Add the Thai green curry paste, cooked meat and coconut milk to the pan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Add the noodles to the pan. Mix the ingredients together thoroughly. Simmer for a further 2 minutes.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Add vegetables that are less perishable on the trail or different spices. Make it a hot or even sweet dish. It's entirely up to you.

9. Corned Beef Bean Pie

Sick of eating beans out of a tin but still need the energy? Then show off your new-found culinary skills with this super simple shepherd's pie. Diverting a tad from the traditional recipe, this dish will be the cause of major food envy around the campsite.

The What:

1 packet of instant mash

1 tin of beans

1 tin of corned beef

200g mature Cheese (optional)

1 pan

The How:

1. Prepare the instant mash according to the packet instructions.

2. Add the beans and corned beef to the pan. Heat for 5 minutes.

3. Set the bean and corned beef mixture in a shallow dish or bowl. Cover the mixture with the instant mash.

4. Add grated cheese to the top if desired.

Enjoy.

Additional notes

This meal can be enjoyed in a variety of different ways. You could use vegetarian burger mix, couscous or mince as a replacement for the corned beef.

10. Merlot Garlic Mushrooms on Toasted Bread

Merlot? Garlic mushrooms? Are we building a rustic French restaurant this evening? Well, yes we are! Cause major food envy from fellow campers with this delicious and simple French-inspired delight.

The What:

2 tbsp. of Merlot red wine

150g mushrooms, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

2 slices of bread

25g butter

Onion relish

Vegetable oil

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Heat the butter in a pan.

2. When the butter has melted add the mushrooms to the pan and heat until soft.

3. Add the chopped garlic and red wine. Stir for 2 minutes.

3. Add the onion relish and heat for a further minute.

4. Toast the bread over an open flame until golden brown.

4. Serve the mushroom mixture over toast.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Using a mature cheese to top this dish off is a good way to get some added energy and an extra flavour to spice it up.

11. Zesty Lemon Pasta

Forget plain old noodles, add a little zest to your life with this lemony delight. Using only four ingredients, this dish is as tangy as it is simple. Add your own choice of meat for something a tad more filling.

The What:

150g of spaghetti Pasta

2 lemons

50g Parmesan cheese

Olive oil

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Boil the noodles until cooked and tender. When the noodles are cooked retain around a cupful of the leftover juice. Place the noodles to one side.

2. Place the leftover juice, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix together thoroughly.

3. Placing the noodles in a pan, slowly heat the noodles. Occasionally add a small amount of the juice mixture to the pan. Slowly mixing the juice should create a sticky consistency over time.

4. Serve the noodles with parmesan cheese on the top.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Try coating chicken or sausages in the lemon dish and sprinkle with sugar for added protein.

12. Mango Pasta Salad

If you're a health-conscious camper then you will love this simple yet tasty salad. Heavy on the nutrients, with four fruit or vegetable-based ingredients, this dish can be combined with an array of tasty meats for a little extra protein.

The What:

Enough pasta to satisfy yourself

1 tomato

1 red onion

1 mango

1 lime

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Boil the pasta until cooked and tender. Drain away the water and place the pasta to one side.

2. Dice the tomato, red onion and mango.

3. Throw the pasta, tomato, red onion and mango together. Mix together thoroughly.

4. Drizzle the lime over your salad.

Enjoy

Added notes

Salads are not particularly great for the trail, they contain little energy and the food is often hard to keep fresh but they give you something easy and different.

13. Beer Battered Green Beans

While we agree that it should be mandatory for all campsites to include a chip shop, we understand that it isn't always practical. When the urge for chips does hit, reach for this delicately fried recipe.

The What:

1 packet of green beans

Vegetable oil

1 cup of flour

1 bottle of beer (6 pack optional but encouraged)

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Combine the beer, the flour and any spices you would like to add in a bowl. Mix together thoroughly. Leave the mixture to set for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the green beans during this time by chopping off the top and tail of each green bean.

3. When the beer batter has sat for 30 minutes, dip the green beans into the batter ensuring each is covered thoroughly.

4. Place the green beans in sets of two into a heated pan of oil. Try not to overcrowd the pan as this will drop the heat of the pan and stop the batter from frying.

5. Fry the beans for 2 minutes flipping frequently.

6. Leave the beans to cool for a few minutes before eating.

Enjoy.

Added notes

This recipe is not limited to just green beans, it could be used for pretty much any vegetable or meat. Spice up a chicken dish by beer battering or choose to have a go at the famous beer-battered onion rings.

14. Farmer's Market Quesadillas

You may have had quesadillas before, but have you had farmer's market quesadillas? My guess is that the answer is no. Perfect for the vegetarian family, this dish is meat-free but can easily be adapted with the addition of beef, turkey or chicken.

The What:

1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup of chopped red onion

1/2 cup of diced red pepper

6 tortillas

150g mature cheese

Olive oil

Vegetable oil

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Add olive oil to the pan and heat for two minutes. When the pan is hot add the mushrooms, onion and peppers. Stir fry for approximately 7 minutes.

2. Take the ingredients out of the pan and bring the pan back to the heat. Add a thin coating of vegetable oil to the pan. Heat the oil for 2 minutes.

3. Place a tortilla down in the pan. Cover the tortilla in cheese. Heat for 2 minutes before placing a layer of vegetables over the top. Add a further layer of cheese on top of the vegetable mixture.

4. Place another tortilla over the mixture and cook for two minutes on each side.

Enjoy.

Added notes

If you don't fancy what is known as a vegetarian dish you can add any cooked meat and this meal will be delicious. Have fun.

15. Cheaters Classic Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs? Are we heading to Ikea on the way, Mum? Unfortunately no, but you can still cause major food envy with this super simple twist on a Swedish classic.

The What:

1 packet of cooked Swedish meatballs

1 tbsp. of finely chopped dill

1 beef stock cube

Water

2 tbsp. of flour

Olive oil

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Boil the water in a pan and add the stock cube. Bring to a boil and place to one side.

2. Add the olive oil to a clean pan and heat for two minutes.

3. When the pan is hot add the flour into the pan. Then slowly add the stock cube into the pan, whisking to a thick consistency. Add more flour to increase the thickness if needed.

4. Once the stock has thickened, add the meatballs and heat thoroughly.

5. Sprinkle with dill.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Swedish meatballs are great. You can simply take any pasta sauce from your local supermarket, heat it all together in a pan and sprinkle with cheese. The results are always delicious. Try them with soft tortillas or pita bread for a more hearty meal.

16. Honey & Pepper Braised Radishes - Agata from Bark Time

Soft, sweet and buttery with a spicy finish, this simple recipe for honey & pepper braised radishes will make a wonderful dish for the vegetable lovers out there.

The What:

250g radishes

60ml boiling water

25g butter

1 tbsp. organic honey

1 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper

½ tsp. salt

Worcestershire sauce

Tabasco sauce

25g spring onions, to serve

Pan with a lid

The How:

1. Wash and, if needed, chop radishes into smaller chunks.

2. In a heavy bottom pan melt the butter, then once melted add radishes and salt and cook for a minute or two.

3. Add the boiling water and honey. Cover with lid and cook on a medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

4. Add both the Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce, cracked black pepper and cook further until most of the water has evaporated and you are left with a lovely thick honey glaze.

5. Serve on a plate and spoon the glaze over the top. Finally, finish with finely chopped spring onions.

Enjoy.

Added notes

Sprinkle with mature cheddar or Parmesan for an extra tangy and creamy finish.

17. Campfire Donuts Recipe - Sarah from Must Have Mom Blog

Soft, sugary and super sweet, this simple recipe for campfire donuts will be a hit with all the sweet-toothed campers out there.

The What:

1 Cast Iron Pan

500ml Vegetable oil

1 Pack of biscuit dough

100g cinnamon sugar

The How:

1. Build a campfire and place a cast iron pan on the grate over the fire.

2. Fill the cast iron pan 1/3 full with vegetable oil. Heat until the oil's surface is shimmery. Test oil temperature with a small piece of dough. If it starts to float and brown then the oil is hot enough. If it sinks and doesn't cook then the oil isn't hot enough yet. If it burns then your oil is too hot and you need to move the cast iron pan away from the direct flame a bit.

3. Shape each biscuit into a donut shape by poking a hole in the centre and forming a ring. Once oil has reached the proper temperature add biscuit dough to the oil. Cook until the bottom is browned then flip and cook until the opposite side has browned. Once both sides have browned remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to help soak up excess grease.

4. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (either in a brown paper bag or just sprinkle over the top of the donut). Serve immediately. Be careful they will be hot!

Enjoy.

Added notes

Don't forget to bring a selection of super tasty sauces. Think salted caramel or milk chocolate. Another idea is to bring a bar of your favourite chocolate. Melt it in a small pan for delicious dipping sauce. Mmmm mm mmm.

18. Simple Hobo Hot Wraps

Good enough for Royal scouts, good enough for your little campers! Go crazy with these super simple hobo wraps. Guaranteed tasty fun for all the family.

The What:

2 wholemeal wraps

1 packet of beef jerky (200g)

75g broccoli

150g red potatoes

50g jalapeños

150g mature cheese

Tinfoil

Water

The How

1. Slice up the red potatoes and broccoli into small chunks and leave both to boil until soft. Approximately 15 minutes.

2. Open up the wholemeal wraps and fill burrito style with the potatoes, broccoli, beef jerky, jalapeños and cheese.

3. Lay out the tinfoil on a flat surface and sprinkle the foil surface with water. Wrap the now filled wraps in the two pieces of tinfoil.

4. Place the tinfoil wraps in an open fire and leave for approximately 5-10 minutes. Remove with a pair of tongs. Be careful they will be hot!

Enjoy!

Added Notes

Don't overlook the importance of sprinkling the tinfoil in water. The water acts as a membrane keeping the wrap soft and delicious.

19. Red Lentil Curry Soup

Craving a curry on the campsite? Get the next best thing with this energy busting red lentil curry soup. Simple to prepare and delicious to eat; what more do you need?

The What:

1 onion

1 carrot

1 celery stick

75g curry powder

250g red lentils

1 pan with a lid

Vinegar

2 vegetable broth cubes

The How:

1. Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the curry powder and red lentils to the water. Boil for approximately 10 minutes.

2. While waiting for the lentils to soften prepare the onion, carrot and celery by slicing each into small chunks.

3. Add the veggies to the lentils with the vegetable broth cubes, salt and pepper. Boil until the veggies soften.

4. Serve with a swig of vinegar.

Enjoy.

Added Notes

This dish works well with a variety of cooked meats. Try chorizo, beef jerky or cooked chicken for an added source of protein.

20. Campsite Chilli Cheese Fries

Make the most of your camping trip with this fast food-inspired dish. Using fries, cheese and chilli this is the perfect comfort food for a cold night in the outdoors.

The What:

300g frozen fries, French style

1 can of chilli con carne

150g mature cheese, grated

Tinfoil

The How:

1. Place the frozen fries on a piece of tinfoil and fold into tinfoil pouches. Ensure the tinfoil is sealed and place over a fire for 20 minutes. Flip occasionally.

2. When the fries are baked, open the canned chilli and spread a generous serving over the fries. Add grated cheese to the top and fold the tinfoil back up. Add extra tinfoil if necessary.

3. Place the fries back over the fire and heat for a further 2 minutes. Serve immediately in the tinfoil pouch. Be careful they will be hot!

Enjoy.

Added Notes

If you are feeling adventurous then bring a pack of smoked bacon and a pair of scissors. Slice it up, throw it on top and have bacon chilli cheese fries instead. Delicious.

21. Jammy Camping Doughnuts - Emma at Bubba Blue and Me

Is there anything better than a jam sandwich? How about a jammy camping doughnut? You be the judge.

The What:

Strawberry Jam

White Bread

Butter

The How:

1. Simply sandwich together two slices of white bread with jam inside.

2. Spread the outsides of the sandwich with a healthy serving of butter. Chop into four squares.

3. Repeat for as many doughnuts as you need.

4. Then it's a case of toasting them on each side in a hot frying pan on the camping stove, turning once until they're golden brown and a bit crispy.

Added notes

Use some tongs to dunk them in a bit of sugar to make them more doughnutty, then eat.

So there you have it, our favourite camping recipes. Simple, cheap and packed full of flavour, you never need to eat a bland packet of noodles or boring beans on toast again (although we do love beans on toast). Just plan ahead and take all of the ingredients you need with you and you'll be the envy of every other camper.

Disclaimer:

Cooking food in the outdoors should be conducted with the utmost care, adhering to fire and safety best practices at all times. Please distinguish fires in a proper and thorough manner. Also, please remember to take litter with you when you leave the camping area. As the old saying goes, "Leave it how you found it, if not better".