Camping Desserts
Let’s be real, half the fun of camping is the food. And while I love a good campfire meal, it’s the sweet stuff by the fire that memories are made of. Over the years I’ve tested a truckload of camping desserts, from ridiculously simple foil packets to rich Dutch oven bakes that feel like you packed a real bakery. The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or a full kitchen setup. Just a few key pieces of gear and a willingness to get a little messy.
I always pack a cast iron sandwich maker, a roll of heavy duty foil, and my trusty collapsible roasting sticks. Add a soft sided cooler and some leak proof containers and you’re golden. Below I rounded up 20 of my favorite camping desserts, from upgraded s’mores to no bake energy bites, warm cobblers, and make ahead treats that survive the cooler like champs.
Safety first: Never place your cooking grate directly over flames. Let your coals cool to medium heat before setting foil packets or your Dutch oven on them. You’ll get even cooking and avoid burnt bottoms or, worse, a melted mess.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet of the gear I reach for most often. Nothing fancy, just the essentials that make campsite dessert life a breeze.
| Gear | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| Heavy duty aluminum foil | For foil packet desserts, lining grates, and wrapping campfire cones. |
| Collapsible roasting sticks | Perfect for marshmallows and hot dog roasts; they pack down small and are way better than a sharpened branch. |
| Cast iron sandwich maker | Creates crispy, melty grilled desserts and sandwiches right over the coals. |
| Soft sided cooler | Keeps dairy, pre made desserts, and chocolate from turning into soup in warm weather. |
| Leak proof containers | Store brownie bites, cookie batches, and pre portioned dry ingredients without spills. |
Now, onto the good part. Here are 20 easy camping desserts that have saved my sweet tooth on countless trips. Pick a few, pack the ingredients, and get ready for zero stress and maximum deliciousness.
S’mores 2.0
Classic s’mores are great, but upgrading them is ridiculously easy and makes everyone at the campsite do a double take. Instead of the usual plain chocolate bar, swap in a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or a caramel filled Ghirardelli square. The peanut butter adds salty richness that melts into the toasted marshmallow, while the caramel version gives you that gooey ribbon effect.
Toast your marshmallow until it’s golden and puffy, then sandwich it between two graham crackers with the upgraded chocolate. I often bring a mix of both so everyone can pick their adventure. No extra effort, just a next level campfire classic.
Campfire Banana Boats
If you haven’t made banana boats, you’re missing out on one of the easiest foil packet camping desserts. Slice a banana lengthwise right through the peel, leaving the bottom intact so it acts like a little canoe. Stuff the opening with mini marshmallows and a handful of chocolate chips. Wrap the whole thing tightly in heavy duty foil and set it on the coals for about 5 7 minutes. Open carefully, grab a spoon, and dig into that warm, gooey, pudding like goodness. Kids go nuts for these, and clean up is literally tossing the foil away. I often pre slice the bananas at home to save time.
Campfire Cones
Think of campfire cones as a portable s’mores situation without the balancing act. Take a waffle cone, stuff it with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and chopped fruit like strawberries or bananas. Wrap the filled cone in foil and place it on warm coals for about 5 7 minutes.
When you unwrap it, everything is melted and warm, and the cone stays crisp enough to hold its shape. It’s perfect for kids because there’s less sticky finger mess. I like to set up a little “stuff your own” station before the fire gets going, that way everyone customizes their cone and clean up is a breeze.
Roasted Cinnamon Apples
These roasted cinnamon apples taste like the inside of an apple pie, without any of the fuss. Chop a couple of apples into bite sized chunks and toss them in a bowl with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar.
Transfer them onto a sheet of heavy duty foil, fold it into a sealed packet, and roast over medium coals for about 10 12 minutes. When you open the packet, the apples are tender and swimming in their own sweet juices.
I love topping them with a handful of granola or a drizzle of caramel sauce if I remembered to pack it. They’re also amazing spooned over plain pound cake for a quick dessert upgrade.
Grilled Nutella & Marshmallow Sandwiches
A cast iron sandwich maker turns two slices of bread into a crispy, melty dessert that feels way fancier than it really is. Spread a generous layer of Nutella on one slice of bread, pile on a few mini marshmallows, top with the second slice, and close the sandwich maker. Butter the outside lightly so it gets golden and crunchy.
Hold the closed sandwich maker over medium coals for a couple of minutes per side. The marshmallows puff and the Nutella melts into this warm, almost lava like filling. I usually bring a loaf of sturdy country white bread because it holds up better than soft sandwich bread.
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Energy Bites
When you need a quick sweet fix without a fire, these no bake energy bites save the day. Mix together rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, a good drizzle of honey, and a handful of mini chocolate chips in a bowl. Roll the mixture into bite sized balls, pop them into a container, and chill them in the cooler before heading out.
They’re chewy, peanut buttery, and just sweet enough to feel like dessert while giving you a little energy for the next hike. I’ve had friends steal them for breakfast too, which I consider a win. Make a double batch because they disappear fast.
No Bake S’mores Bars
When a campfire isn’t an option or you just want something you can grab and go, these no bake s’mores bars are your answer. Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs, then mix them with melted butter, a little powdered sugar, and mini marshmallows. Press half the mixture into a lined pan, drizzle melted chocolate over the top, and press the remaining crumb mixture down.
Chill in the cooler until firm, then cut into bars. They taste exactly like a s’more but with zero roasting required. I pack them in a leak proof container and keep them in the cooler. They stay firm even in moderately warm weather if you keep them shaded.
Yogurt Parfaits
Parfaits might sound too delicate for camping, but mason jars make them practically bulletproof. Before your trip, layer your favorite yogurt with fresh or canned fruit and a layer of granola in the jar. Screw the lid on tight and toss them in the cooler.
When you’re ready for dessert (or breakfast), just grab a spoon. I use sturdy fruits like blueberries or chopped peaches because they hold up well. One tip: if you want the granola to stay crunchy, add it just before serving instead of layering it in ahead of time. These are so easy and refreshing after a long day outside.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
I know, chocolate dipped strawberries sound a little fancy for a tent, but they’re actually one of the simplest make ahead camping desserts. Melt semi sweet chocolate at home, dip each strawberry, let them set on a parchment lined tray, and then pack them in a single layer in a leak proof container.
Keep them in the cooler and they’ll stay perfect for a couple of days. There’s something about eating a chocolate covered strawberry with slightly smoky fingers and a camp chair view that makes it taste even better. If it’s really hot, eat them the first night so they don’t get soft.
Coconut Date Balls
These little energy bombs are naturally sweet, chewy, and travel like a dream. Toss pitted dates, shredded coconut, and a handful of almonds into a food processor and pulse until a sticky dough forms. Roll into small balls, coat them in extra coconut, and chill overnight.
They don’t melt, don’t crumble, and taste like a bite of cookie dough. I keep them in a container in the bear bag and snack on them after dinner or during a midday lull. If you’re feeling extra, you can add a scoop of cocoa powder to the mix for a chocolate version.
Campfire Peach Cobbler
A Dutch oven peach cobbler is the kind of dessert that makes neighboring campers wander over to see what smells so good. Dump a large can of sliced peaches in syrup into the Dutch oven, sprinkle a box of yellow cake mix evenly over the top, then scatter pats of butter across the surface. Pop the lid on, set the oven over hot coals, and pile a few more on top. In about 30 40 minutes you’ll have a bubbly, golden cobbler that tastes like summer. If you want a more detailed step by step, I have a full post on peach cobbler using cake mix that walks through all the timing and coal placement.
Chocolate Lava Cake in a Dutch Oven
If you really want to show off at the campsite, this chocolate lava cake will do it. Prepare a simple chocolate cake batter at home and pack it in a sealed container, or use a boxed mix to keep it dead simple. Pour the batter into a greased Dutch oven, then drop spoonfuls of chocolate pudding or ganache in the center.
Cover with the lid and bake over medium coals for about 25 30 minutes. When you cut into it, the center oozes out like a restaurant dessert. It’s rich, gooey, and one of those desserts that tastes even better because you cooked it outside.
Grilled Pound Cake with Berries
Pre made pound cake is a camping secret weapon. Slice it thick, brush each side lightly with melted butter, and lay the slices directly on a grate over medium coals.
After a couple of minutes, you’ll get these beautiful grill marks and a warm, toasted exterior. Top with fresh berries and a big dollop of whipped cream from a can (no cooler shame here).
It comes together in under five minutes and feels like a proper dessert. I like using store bought frozen whipped topping that stays cold in the cooler, or just bring the aerosol can and keep it chilled.
Campfire Grilled Pineapple
Grilled fruit is one of my favorite healthy camping desserts because the fire brings out so much natural sweetness. Cut a pineapple into spears or rings, sprinkle them with cinnamon, and place them directly on the grill grate over medium coals. Cook for 2 3 minutes per side until you see caramelized char marks.
The pineapple gets tender and slightly smoky. Serve it as is, or drizzle a little honey on top. It’s also amazing paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you have a good cooler. This works great with peaches too when they’re in season.
Chia Pudding with Berries
Chia pudding is one of those prep ahead camping desserts that feels like a treat but is secretly super healthy. In a jar or container, mix chia seeds with almond milk and a spoonful of honey. Shake or stir well, then let it sit in the cooler overnight. By morning, it thickens into a creamy, tapioca like pudding. Top with fresh berries or canned fruit before serving. It’s dairy free, requires zero cooking, and gives you a little energy boost before bed. I portion mine into small mason jars so everyone just grabs their own.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sometimes the best camping desserts are the ones you made in your actual kitchen before you left. I bake a big batch of chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies a day or two before a trip and pack them in a sturdy container. They hold up well, don’t need refrigeration, and are always the first snack to vanish. The oats give them a hearty texture that feels satisfying after a long hike. I like to slightly underbake them so they stay soft and chewy even after a few days in a zippered bag. No assembly required, just pure cookie joy.
Brownie Bites
Brownie bites are my go to when I want something fudgy and rich but don’t want to mess with a whole campfire production. I bake a pan of brownies at home, cut them into one inch squares, and stash them in a leak proof container. They travel beautifully and taste even better after a day in the cooler.
Sometimes I’ll press a marshmallow into the top of each brownie bite before baking, just to sneak in that campfire vibe. If it’s hot and you’re worried about melting, keep them buried deep in the cooler under the ice pack and serve them chilled. They’re basically chocolate fudge at that point.
Homemade Trail Mix Bars
These bars blur the line between dessert and energy snack, which means you can eat them anytime and nobody questions it. Combine a couple cups of mixed nuts, dried fruit (like cranberries or raisins), rolled oats, and a generous drizzle of honey and a spoonful of peanut butter.
Press the mixture firmly into a lined baking dish and let it set in the fridge overnight. Cut into bars and wrap individually.
They’re chewy, sweet from the dried fruit, and packed with enough staying power to get you through an afternoon paddle. I always wrap mine in parchment and a little tape, that way there’s no plastic wrap to litter.
Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips
Think of these as churro chips without the deep fryer. Brush flour tortillas with melted butter, sprinkle them generously with cinnamon and sugar, and cut them into wedges. Bake them in a cast iron skillet over the fire or on a grate until crispy and golden, about 5 7 minutes per batch, turning once. They come out crunchy, sweet, and so addictive. I serve them with a simple fruit dip or even just a little bowl of melted chocolate. They’re a fun way to use up tortillas if your taco night leaves extras. Definitely a kid approved treat.
Rice Krispie Treats
You can’t beat a classic. Rice Krispie treats are the ultimate no bake camping dessert because they require exactly three ingredients and zero fire. Melt butter and marshmallows together at home, stir in the cereal, press into a pan, and cut into giant squares. Wrap each square individually and they’ll stay soft for days. The sticky sweetness is exactly what you want after a smoky dinner, and they double as a quick breakfast if you’re the type who considers marshmallows a morning food (no judgment). I sometimes mix in a handful of mini chocolate chips right before pressing them into the pan for an extra indulgent touch.
For even more inspiration, check out this roundup of delicious camping desserts recipes that I return to every season. Happy trails and even happier eating.
