Great Camping Foods

Healthy Recipes and Nutrition
on March 15, 2012

Camping is an exciting outdoor adventure that offers exercise, nature at its best and roughing-it skills. Spending lots of time outdoors, hiking, fishing, canoeing or whatever floats your boat can really build up your appetite. Keep your energy level up with these great camping foods.

Outside of the ordinary camping cuisine. If you’ve ever spent a prolonged period of time outdoors, you know how hunger can catch up with you. Is it the combination of fresh air and a higher activity level? Either way, you may want to bring along easy-to-make camping foods that taste great. Dump the old-school GORP and tasteless energy bars. Camping Life recommends these smart and tasty all-day energy treats:

  • Corn dog muffins — Corn dogs bring to mind the tasty temptation found at so many fairs and amusement parks. Corn dog muffins are a simple twist on the tried and true, and they’re easy to make at the campsite or ahead. Simply prepare corn muffin mix and fill greased muffin tins about halfway. Place one mini turkey or regular hot dog in the center and bake for 8 minutes or until cooked through. Any leftovers can be kept chilled to enjoy at a later time. (Did you know you can create an oven using a cast iron pot and lid nestled within the coals of the campfire or suspended above?)
  • Easy sandwich cookies — Have your chocolate and peanut butter and eat it, too, with this easy-peasy, energy-boosting goodie. You will need butter crackers, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Simply spread peanut butter on one side of the cracker, top with a few chocolate chips and eat open-faced or kick it up a notch with another peanut butter cracker. Feel like being a little fancy? Melt the chocolate chips with a splash of milk (use sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk for easy storage). Spread melted chocolate on one side of the cracker sandwich and peanut butter on the second side. Sandwich the two crackers together for a real camping culinary masterpiece. Love Nutella? This or any other type of hazelnut chocolate spread is already creamy and spreadable and makes a perfect partner to peanut butter.
  • Camping party mix — This can be made ahead in a hot oven of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, or as suggested above, by using a cast iron pot with lid. Spray a baking tray or foil-lined Dutch oven with a nonstick cooking oil. Toss 15 ounces of chickpeas, salt and pepper together on the tray or foil. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Once toasted and nutty, combine a quarter-cup of butter, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, chili powder and onion powder, 2 tablespoons flaxseeds, 3 to 5 cups of various Chex-type cereal, 1 cup mini pretzels, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Add the mixture to the toasted chickpeas and toss together. Take this mix on a hike or enjoy at any time for a great, nutritious, delicious, energy-boosting camping food. This recipe can be customized by your creativity and favorites. You cannot make a mistake with this nutritious on-the-go snack.